Completion of the city’s long-term wastewater plan has fallen
behind schedule, prompting one city official to announce the
process has reached a
”
critical juncture.
”
Completion of the city’s long-term wastewater plan has fallen behind schedule, prompting one city official to announce the process has reached a “critical juncture.”
Public Works Director Clint Quilter said city and county officials are aware of construction deadlines set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board after a 15-million gallon sewer spill in May 2002. The water board ordered Hollister to complete several construction projects – including completion of the new wastewater plant by October 2005 – or face financial penalties.
“We’re working on a stringent time line,” Quilter said.
As the time frame for a October 2005 deadline shrinks, officials from three local agencies have been meeting to formulate options for the future of wastewater operations in Hollister, including different methods of treating water, as well as differing costs.
According to Hollister’s initial schedule of milestones from September, a final design for the new wastewater plant should be completed before Dec. 15.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia said Quilter and other wastewater officials have kept the Council updated on the progress.
“I’m hoping we’re not that behind (schedule),” said Valdivia, who sits on the Wastewater Subcommittee with Councilman Tony Bruscia. “We don’t have the money to be messing around.”
The subject of most immediate concern is pinpointing a practical method of wastewater disposal. Hollister currently percolates treated wastewater into the ground, but the goal is to eventually reclaim – or recycle – wastewater for continuous use, officials said.
“The reason being is that wastewater is potentially a very valuable water,” said John Gregg, executive director of the county water district.
Officials hope to eventually reclaim wastewater for uses that include agriculture, golf courses and parks. The city wants to treat water to an unrestricted use – which means “for basically everything but drinking,” Gregg said.
“There are some combinations of treatment that lead to more efficient recycling of water,” Gregg said. “They may also lead to more efficient percolation.”
Officials will present the proposals to the City Council and other agencies during July or August, Gregg said.
“They are going to bring to us the matrix that lists the different options,” Bruscia said.
In September’s long-term plan, officials had planned to construct 88 acres of wetlands habitat – a natural method of disposal that would have demanded less management.
However, the city rejected the wetlands idea because outside agencies – including the regional water board and county water district – disapproved of its potential effects on groundwater.
Gregg and City Manager Dale Shaddox said they have been told Hollister is still on schedule to comply with the water board’s milestones. Hollister has met the first four of six water board milestones.
“I get the impression that we’re OK, Shaddox said. “I’m feeling very comfortable with that.”
In a couple weeks, Quilter said the outlook of wastewater treatment possibilities will be more concrete.
“In the context of all this, and other things being coordinated, the common goal is that agencies involved and elected officials don’t want to ever be in this kind of place again,” Gregg said. “We’re all not doing a good job. We all don’t have a plan.”
