Minutes of the ISD July 23, 2014 Special Workshop Meeting

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

 

July 23, 2014

 

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in Special Session to hold a Recycled Water Feasibility Study Workshop on Wednesday July 23, 2014.

 

The place of the meeting was the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California. Vice President David Contreras called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

 

 1.        Call to Order  

Roll Call:

Members present:                   David Contreras, Chris Lauritzen, Michael Painter, and Doug Scheer

 

Members absent:                    David Huerta

 

Staff/Consultants present:      Tom Williams, General Manager

Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

Susan Walde, District Secretary

Joe Mueller, Environmental Compliance Officer

Marc Haefke, Operations Superintendent

Dave Dal Porto, Reclamation and Cattle Supervisor

Roni Gehlke, Consultant

                                                Dave Richardson, RMC Water and Environment

                                                Christy Kennedy, RMC Water and Environment

 

Interested parties present:     

                                                Supervisor Mary Piepho, Contra Costa Board of Supervisors

                                                Jennifer Quallick, Mary Piepho Office

                                                Jeff Quimby, Contra Costa Water District

                                                Kevin Rohani, Public Works Director, City of Oakley

                                                Bert Michalczyk, Dublin San Ramon Services Dist.

                                                Rob Kinslow, Success Water

                                                Erica Rodriguez, Assemblyman Frazier Office

                                                Carolyn Phinney, Orinda, CA

 

 2.        Public Comment – There were no comments from the public in attendance.

 

 3.        RECYCLED WATER FEASIBILITY STUDY WORKSHOP

 

Vice President Contreras and the Board thanked everyone for attending the workshop.  He introduced Mr. Tom Williams, General Manager.  Mr. Williams introduced Dave Richardson and Christy Kennedy of RMC who have been preparing our Recycled Water Feasibility Study and have prepared a presentation for the Board.  Mr. Williams introduced Ms. Jenny Skrel, District Engineer; she stated that she had an opportunity to attend the Silicone Valley Advanced Water Treatment Facility grand opening on Friday July 18, 2014 and indicated it was an inspirational experience.  She gave an overview of their process and reported that long term they plan to inject the effluent water into the ground water.  Themes for the grand opening included “Water is life;” and “Brown is the new Green.”

The reason we are here today is ISD is in the process of completing its Water Recycling Feasibility Study and, even though we currently recycle 50% of our water, we are seeking opportunities for higher or better use of our recycled water. 

Dave Richards of RMC gave a power point presentation on the status of ISD’s Recycled Water Feasibility Study.  In going through the process of looking for higher and better use of our recycled water, staff from ISD and RMC met with our two water districts, as well as representatives from the School Districts and the local viticulture community to seek their input.  Diablo Water District is concerned about losing customer base and groundwater quality protection.  They may be interested in our water for their wells with a high salinity problem.

Jeff Quimby of Contra Costa Water District stated they believe there may be future opportunities with ISD’s water and they are here to work with ISD.

Supervisor Mary Piepho applauded CCWD and ISD for working together to create water for the future.  She stated that all the Districts need to work together to create “new” sources of water for our future.

Director Lauritzen asked is there anyone that believes that we are going to have a wet year to fill our reservoirs.  Are we doing the best we can to use our water.  He indicated we need to also work on selling our treated water to Delta Diablo, move the water down Wilbur Avenue corridor, or use a rail car system to move the water and sell to industry that needs it.  He would also like to see industry come to Oakley and asked how can we bring industry to our town to use our water?

Rob Kinslow of success water stated he is a fan and advocate of our process and using our water.  He felt the public would also support our efforts to recycle water after they get the knowledge and education on our process and the different ways of using recycled water. 

Vice President Contreras reviewed the surrounding recycled water programs in place. 

Staff discussed the next steps and that the grant monies we are using to complete the study require we adopt a recycle water project to move forward.  Staff will bring the plan back to the Board in September for a recommended action.  Ms. Skrel reviewed with the Board why staff choses option eight as the alternative of choice.  The consideration was based on per acre-foot costs of delivering the recycled water.  Director Scheer stated there are basically two choices, farming or injection into ground water. 

Director Contreras stated we could lower the grant dollars if the Oakley Generating station came back into consideration. 

Director Lauritzen stated in 2004 he was elected to the Board and the District was busy with new construction.  In 2006, we were at our capacity and began the process of building a new plant.  Are we going to get to a place where we stop construction due to no drinking water and can we sustain growth with our current supplies of water? 

Director Contreras asked about the recycled water utilized from the Monterey treatment facility and their study.  Dave Richardson indicated the water used in Monterey area is high quality but is not treated to the level that ISD’s water is. Director Contreras stated that the European countries have been successfully using recycled water of lessor quality for years. 

Ms. Skrel stated the Wilbur Avenue Industrial Recycled Water Master Plan completed with ISD, Delta Diablo Sanitation District, CCWD, and others, is still available for use.

 

Bert Michalczyk, of Dublin San Ramon Services District gave an overview on his District’s experimental case study of their Recycled Water - Planning, Implementation and Operation.  He reviewed reasons to recycle and historic impediments.  He reviewed their groundwater injection, irrigation for both urban and suburban areas.  He indicated his District has been implementing their recycled water plan for the last 20 plus years and recently, they have been able to help fund their potable water program through their recycled water sales.  He indicated approximately 25% of their water supply is made up of recycled water; and they plan to increase that percentage in the future. 

 

Supervisor Piepho stated that salinity intrusion in the western delta is a critical issue.  Herring, a saltwater fish, were found at export pumps in delta, which is a very serious issue.  Water recycling is a critical component of our future.  Local leaders need to take bold steps; local agencies need to work together and move forward.

Vice President Contreras thanked Supervisor Piepho for attending our workshop.    

Director Contreras asked Mr. Michalczyk what their policy is on purple pipe and how did they finance their purple pipe.  He stated it was finances through the connection fees. 

Director Contreras asked if the different Cities in his jurisdiction embrace recycled water. 

He stated that with an abundance of outreach to educate the community it is being well received. 

Erica Rodriguez of Assemblyman Frazier’s office applauded the agencies represented here today for working together on the future of our State’s water supply.  She, too, stressed the importance of recycled water and the role it will play in our State’s future. 

Mr. Michalczyk stated that we, as local agencies, need to drop our institutional barriers and get behind doing what is best for the community.

Mr. Williams stated that costs of delivering recycled water are an issue for the District.  Our current rate is at $637 and adding to our rate to pay for recycled water delivery lines will not be an easy thing to do.  He will be meeting with EC2 this coming Tuesday and will have an opportunity to discuss uses for recycled water. 

Carolyn Phinney stated there is a gradient of fear for recycled water and we need to pursue other opportunities like the injection to ground water and potable water reuse.  She gave the Board a report on her green house project with CCCSD and the potential of ISD using such a project with their land and use of recycled water.

 

Kevin Rohani, Public Works Director, of the City of Oakley stated the City is in support of recycled water projects within Oakley.  They will be looking forward for opportunities to work together on future purple pipe projects.  We need to look collectively as a municipality. 

 

Mr. Rob Kinslow of Success Water, a water purification and filtration company and has variety of services available, is interested in looking at Oakley for his business and would be interested in a better quality of potable and recycled water for use in his processes.  He sees opportunity for growth in Oakley.

 

Ms. Skrel stated that the Board and staff in September would have to come up with a decision on an alternative to submit so RMC can complete the feasibility study and submit to the Board for final approval.    

Mr. Williams stated he is in support of the recommendation from staff to adopt a plan that remains flexible in the recycled water opportunities we adopt.

 

Vice President Contreras thanked everyone for attending the workshop.  He thanked Dave Richardson of RMC for his presentation of the Recycled Water Feasibility Study Update and he thanked Bert Michalczyk of Dublin San Ramon Services District for his presentation on their Recycled Water project.

He is looking forward to everyone’s input through District staff to help the Board complete its study and choose a recycled water alternative to implement.

 

 

4.         Adjournment

 

Vice President Contreras adjourned the Workshop meeting at 6:08 p.m. to Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.