The Hollister City Council hired contractors for the last of
three environmental projects required by the state’s Regional Water
Quality Control Board after the 15-million gallon sewer spill in
May 2002.
The Hollister City Council hired contractors for the last of three environmental projects required by the state’s Regional Water Quality Control Board after the 15-million gallon sewer spill in May 2002.
The two agreements – with HydroScience Engineers and Geomatrix Consultants – for the study of groundwater surrounding the San Benito River will cost Hollister up to $356,000.
The Hydrogeologic Study was mandated by the RWQCB in November and must be completed by May. The city is slightly behind schedule on the project, according to Public Works Director Clint Quilter.
Two previous environmental projects have been completed – $150,000 for emergency storage basins to prevent flooding during the El Nino winters and water conservation efforts for $126,000.
In anticipation of receiving the contract, the firms had already started forming a work plan before the approval Monday. They will submit their plans to the water board June 30, Quilter said.
HydroScience will oversee project management and Geomatrix will perform the study.
“They’re getting ready to roll,” Quilter said.
San Benito County and the SBC Water District will also help the city in its management of the project, according to a staff report.
The Hydrogeologic Study is the fifth of six projects required to be completed by deadlines set by the water board. Once the study is finished, the last project carrying a potential fine – the new wastewater plant – is scheduled for completion in October 2005.
