To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kevin Booker 707-521-1865
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Town of Windsor's Recycled Water Design Project
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Funding of Town of Windsor's Recycled Water Design Project with Town of Windsor, in a form approved by County Counsel. The amended agreement increases the amount by $200,000 and extends the agreement term by one year for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $650,000 and end date of December 31, 2025.
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Executive Summary:
In 2013 Town of Windsor (Town) completed an Urban Recycled Water Facilities Planning Study (2013 Study), drafted by West Yost & Associates Inc. that developed and evaluated prioritized recycled water projects for the Town. The 2013 Study included a market assessment of recycled water demand and an analysis of proposed recycled water project alternatives. The 2013 Study recommended expanding recycled water to the southernmost part of Town’s potable distribution system, also referred to as the Airport service area, based on an evaluation using specific ranking criteria and overall cost-effectiveness. Updating the assumptions in the 2013 Study is the first step toward pursuing expansion of Town’s recycled water distribution system to the Airport service area. The addition of recycled water could aid in the development of additional parcels and offset the use of potable water and groundwater in the Airport Business Park.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Town owns and operates a water reclamation system that includes a water reclamation plant, recycled water storage ponds, a transmission system that discharges to Mark West Creek, a recycled water distribution system providing for agricultural irrigation and urban uses, and infrastructure for delivery to the Geysers Geothermal Project.
Town has been studying and improving its wastewater treatment and wastewater recycling program for over ten years. Throughout the recycled water planning process, Town has indicated that its priorities in wastewater disposal are:
• Priority 1: Reuse within Town limits or sphere of influence.
• Priority 2: Agricultural reuse outside of Town limits.
• Priority 3: Reuse at the Geysers Geothermal Project.
• Priority 4: Discharge to Mark West Creek.
Town staff have operated the recycled water delivery system to date under this clear direction. In March 2021, Town secured additional recycled water storage resources through an agreement with Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water). This agreement allows for the coordinated operation of the two agency systems and includes provisions for Town to utilize excess recycled water storage at Sonoma Water’s facilities, when available. Town’s ability to store greater volumes of recycled water creates an opportunity for Town to pursue expansion of its recycled water distribution system.
The County of Sonoma, as identified in the Airport Area Specific Plan, is expecting the buildout of the Airport Business Park area to occur gradually over the next 25 years. The Airport Specific Plan, as proposed, could accommodate industrial development; retail commercial, agriculture, and open space; and potential housing. The Airport Specific Plan is projected to create over 14,000 new jobs. The addition of recycled water into the Airport Business Park could aid in this expected development.
Town’s 2013 Study estimated approximately 102 -535 acre-feet of potable water would be offset each year by expanding Town’s recycled water system to the Airport service area. New funding avenues at both the state and federal level have become available to encourage development of recycled water use. Town has taken the first step toward pursuing updating the 2013 Study by securing the services of West Yost Associates to update the assumptions in the 2013 Study, which is funded under Town’s existing operating budget and was updated in April 2023. Town proposes to hire a consultant to prepare 30% design plans, along with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation, based upon the updated 2013 Study. The goal is to have this project ready to pursue potential funding opportunities when they become available.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 4.15, Operations and Maintenance Charge -Recycled Water and Local Supply, of the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply (2006), Town desires to use funding from the Recycled Water and Local Supply fund to move forward with the Recycled Water Design Project (Project), including CEQA documentation, upon completion of updating the 2013 Study. The funding comes from Town’s Recycled Water Local Supply sub-charge, which Town pays to Sonoma Water per the Restructured Agreement and is retained in Town’s reserve account for implementing recycled water and local supply programs.
Sonoma Water and Town entered into an Agreement for Funding of Town of Windsor's Recycled Water Design Project, dated August 15, 2023, in the amount of $450,000. Town has subsequently determined that additional funding is required to complete the Project to include the use of recycled water from Sonoma Water’s Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone (ALWSZ).
The additional funding of $200,000 for this amended agreement is available from Sonoma Water’s Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget for the ALWSZ fund.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the amended agreement, Town will hire a consultant to prepare design plans, along with CEQA documentation, based upon the updated 2013 Study. The Town selected West Yost & Associates, Inc., to complete the update.
The additional cost is $200,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $650,000, and new end date of October 31, 2025.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Sonoma Water’s General Manager has determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemption, as the Project will provide funding for an agreement to hire a consultant to prepare design plans and CEQA documentation and there is no possibility that the Project may have a significant effect on the environment.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Planning and Infrastructure.
Strategy: Conduct planning that integrates and balances operational maintenance, and infrastructure priorities.
Action: Continue to engage in planning efforts and partnerships to protect and enhance our water supply.
Through updating the 2013 Study and pursing state and federal funding, Town would be able to offset the use of potable water with recycled water through irrigation, thereby saving potable water, protecting drinking water supply, and promoting water-use efficiency.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
2/28/2023: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Town of Windsor for funding of a recycled water feasibility study. Cost $450,000; term end 12/31/24.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$200,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$200,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$200,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$200,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $200,000 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for the Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone fund. No additional appropriation is required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Draft Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.