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: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Recycled Water Feasibility Study
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Town of Windsor, in a form approved by County Counsel, for Funding of Recycled Water Design Project through 12/31/2024, in the not-to-exceed amount of $450,000.
B) Adopt a Resolution authorizing adjustments to the Board Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 for the Recycled Water/Local Supply Fund in the amount of $450,000. (Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) Review for Exemption)
(4/5th Vote Required) (Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
In 2013 the Town of Windsor (Town) completed an Urban Recycled Water Facilities Planning Study (2013 Study), drafted by West Yost Associates. This Study developed and evaluated priority 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 the 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 through Technical Memorandum is the first step toward pursuing expansion of the Town’s recycled water distribution system to the Airport service area. The addition of recycled water could aid in the development of additional parcels; offset the use of potable water and groundwater in the Airport Business Park. The Town wishes to pursue an agreement with a consultant to prepare design plans and environmental documents. The Town’s goal is to be prepared for funding from all available sources as it becomes available. The funding comes from Town’s Recycled Water Local Supply sub-charge, which Town pays to Sonoma Water per the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply (Restructured Agreement) and is retained in Town’s reserve account for implementing recycled water and local supply programs.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
The Town owns and operates a water reclamation system which 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.
The Town has been studying and improving its wastewater treatment and wastewater recycling program for over ten years. Throughout the planning process, the Town has indicated that its priorities in wastewater disposal are:
• Priority 1: Reuse within Town limits or Sphere of Influence (SOI)
• 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 the Town secured additional recycled water storage resources through an Agreement with the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water). This Agreement allows for the coordinated operation of the two agency systems and includes provisions for the Town to utilize excess recycled water storage at Sonoma Water’s facilities, when available. The Town’s ability to store greater volumes of recycled water creates an opportunity for the 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.
In addition, given current drought conditions, the use of recycled water for potable offset is more critical now than ever. The Town’s 2013 Study estimated approximately 102 - 535 acre-feet of potable water would be offset each year by expanding the 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. The 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 the Town’s existing operating budget and is anticipated to be completed in early 2023. The Town proposes to hire a consultant to prepare 30% design plans, along with 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.
Per Section 4.15 Operations and Maintenance Charge - Recycled Water and Local Supply, of the Restructured Agreement for Water Supply (2006), the Town desires to use funding from the Recycled Water and Local Supply fund to move forward with a Recycled Water Supply Design Project, including California Environmental Quality Act (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 for Water Supply (Restructured Agreement) and is retained in Town’s reserve account for implementing recycled water and local supply programs.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Town will hire a consultant to prepare design plans, along with CEQA documentation, based upon the updated 2013 Study. The Town intends to publish a Request for Proposals for these services in April of 2023.
Funding from the Recycled Water and Local Supply fund in the amount of $450,000 will offset a portion of the costs to be incurred by the Town. The term end date of the funding agreement is 12/31/2024.
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
Water Supply and Transmission System, Goal 1: Protect drinking water supply and promote water-use efficiency.
Through updating the 2013 Study and pursing state and federal funding, The Town of Windsor would be able to offset the use of potable water with recycled water through irrigation, thereby saving potable water for thereby protecting drinking water supply and promote water-use efficiency.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$450,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$450,000 |
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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 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
$450,000 |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$450,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Additional FY 2022/2023 appropriations in the amount of $450,000 from the Recycled Water/Local Supply Fund Balance (Town of Windsor reserve account) are requested to process this expense. A budgetary resolution has been submitted with this item.
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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:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None