To: Board of Directors, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1900, Kevin Booker 707-521-1865
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Feasibility Study of the 8th Street East Recycled Water Pipeline Project
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, acting on behalf of Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, to execute an agreement with Brown and Caldwell, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for feasibility and analysis of engineering design through January 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $418,199.
B) Adopt a Resolution for the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District Operations Fund in the amount of $350,000 for the Feasibility Study of the 8th Street East Recycled Water Pipeline Project with offsetting revenue of $200,000 from the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency via a passthrough from Sonoma Water.
(4/5th Vote Required) (First District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (District) and the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVGSA) are exploring the possibility of expanding the use of recycled water in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, specifically along the 8th Street East corridor, east of the City of Sonoma (Project Area). This study will assess the potential for supplying recycled water to commercial and agricultural users. Additionally, it will analyze three possible pipeline alignment alternatives that would connect to the existing reclamation system operated by District. Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and SVGSA have an existing agreement for collaboration and reimbursement of expenses for this project. As the project will be implemented by the District utilizing Sonoma Water staff, rather than Sonoma Water itself, Sonoma Water will pass-through reimbursement from SVGSA to the District.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Groundwater levels in Sonoma Valley have been declining in several areas for over a decade. This is particularly evident in the southeastern part of the valley, where some wells have experienced a drop of up to 150 feet in the past 20 years. Factors contributing to this decline include increased groundwater pumping for various uses, reduced recharge capacity due to impervious surfaces, and extreme weather patterns, such as droughts and floods. To help stabilize and maintain the groundwater supply in the area, increasing the use of recycled water for agricultural, landscaping, and commercial applications could be beneficial for the community.
District has been producing and distributing recycled water locally for agricultural use since approximately 1990. District is capable of delivering additional recycled water for beneficial purposes, particularly during the winter months (November through April), with limited availability during the summer months (May through October). District, in collaboration with SVGSA, aims to expand the beneficial use of recycled water by enhancing the existing recycled water distribution system.
District and SVGSA have conducted outreach through a survey to potential users in the Project Area to gauge property owners’ interest in using recycled water. District and SVGSA have received several survey responses, as well as direct requests from property owners to District, regarding their interest in using recycled water.
Sonoma Water has an existing agreement to provide reimbursable technical services with SVGSA that includes the scope for this project. SVGSA will reimburse Sonoma Water through this existing agreement and Sonoma Water will pass through the funding to the District for its portion of the work completed. SVGSA has agreed to reimburse project costs with an amount not to exceed a total of $200,000.
SELECTION PROCESS
Brown and Caldwell (Consultant) were selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Consultant was selected for the subject work because of its experience implementing recycled water projects and studies, and its familiarity with the North Bay Water Reuse Authority and United States Bureau of Reclamation funding processes.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Consultant will conduct the feasibility study, which will evaluate three potential routes for installing the system pipelines: 8th Street East, Napa Road, and Denmark Street. Additionally, Consultant will review background information, provide a cultural resources constraints analysis to determine the sensitivity of the cultural resources of the proposed alignments, conduct a topographic survey along the selected alignment, and prepare a conceptual design report.
The cost of services will not exceed $418,199; the term end date is January 30, 2027. Under the proposed agreement, the General Manager will have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension would be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by the parties.
California Environmental Quality Act
The General Manager has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Information Collection. The Project will consist of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities that will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The information gathered will be used as part of a study that will lead to an action or actions that have not yet been approved.
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
Coordinating with the SVGSA, District continues to plan for the expansion of recycled water within the Sonoma Valley to assist in offsetting groundwater pumping.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$ |
$68,199 |
$ |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$350,000 |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Expenditures |
$350,000 |
$68,199 |
$ |
|
Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
General Fund/WA GF |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
State/Federal |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Fees/Other |
$200,000 |
$68,199 |
$ |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$150,000 |
$ |
$ |
|
General Fund Contingencies |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Sources |
$350,000 |
$68,199 |
$ |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Additional appropriations are required from the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District fund to process this request. With Board approval of the attached budgetary resolution, FY 2025/2026 appropriations of $350,000 will be made in the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District Operations fund for contracted services. In addition, appropriations of $200,000 will be made for funding from the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency via a pass-through from Sonoma Water. Sonoma Water’s FY 2025/2026 budget includes both the expense and revenue appropriations for this transaction and no additional appropriations are needed. FY 2026/2027 appropriations will be budgeted for in that fiscal year.
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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:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: Draft Agreement with Brown and Caldwell
Attachment 3: Consultant Selection Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.