The Sunnyslope County Water District’s board of directors voted
Thursday to build a new wastewater treatment plant, rather than
connecting to Hollister’s.
The Sunnyslope County Water District’s board of directors voted Thursday to build a new wastewater treatment plant, rather than connecting to Hollister’s.
The district, which provides wastewater service to around 1,200 customers in the Ridgemark, Quail Hollow and Oak Creek areas, has been studying both options for the past year. Like Hollister and San Juan Bautista, Sunnyslope needs to build a new plant to increase wastewater capacity and quality.
District Manager Bryan Yamaoka has told the Free Lance that many Sunnyslope customers attended a recent public meeting about the decision and said they wanted the district to build a new plant, which would give them more control over wastewater decisions.
Thursday’s board vote was unanimous. Afterward, board member Douglas Keck said building a new treatment plant made sense because it would allow for more local control, create a more reliable supply of reusable water and cost slightly less.
“It seems to me like a clear choice,” Keck said.
According to Yamaoaka, connecting to the Hollister system would cost around $16.9 million, while building a new plant would cost $13.7 million.
The small audience burst into applause after the board’s unanimous vote. Larry Cattran, president of one of the Ridgemark homeowners’ associations, said after the meeting that he was enthusiastic about the decision.
“We all know the water rates are going to go up, but the residents are happy to see the district remain under local control,” he said.*
