MEETING DATE: 3/8/2022
DEPARTMENT: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Steve Loupe
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Steve Loupe
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 142.6
SUBJECT:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY – S. LOUPE, INTERIM RMA DIRECTOR
Accept presentation, discuss and provide direction regarding development and implementation plan for the construction of a Waste Water Treatment Facility in Northern San Benito County.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 142.6
AGENDA SECTION:
REGULAR AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Recently, several industrial/commercial projects have been rejected or delayed indefinitely due to the inability to accommodate the sewage. Ideally, the County of San Benito would be able to access the City of Hollister Wastewater Collection System. Unfortunately this is not feasible due to conflicting State regulations and the current political environment. As a result, staff has been asked to explore other options to provide sewage treatment in Northern San Benito County.
A review of the area revealed that Northern San Benito County has shallow ground water which creates difficulties for septic systems often requiring them to be constructed above ground in berms. A long term solution for wastewater for these properties will result in positive environmental impacts and reduced threat of groundwater contamination.
The County of San Benito has currently identified several intersections in North County for future commercial development. Additionally, the State of California, San Benito County and Santa Clara County are working on the SR 152 Trade Corridor project. While the exact alignment has not been selected, alignments 2 & 3 (which travel through Northern San Benito County) have been identified as the best alternative route in the 12/9/2020 Corridor Alternative Memorandum. A sewage facility would facilitate the development of commercial projects in these areas without the addition of additional septic systems.
In April of 2021, staff executed task orders with the Wallace Group to provide an independent analysis of potential wastewater flows and a cost analysis for the construction of a facility to treat the wastewater. Flows were estimated to be less than 100,000 gallons per day and the cost of an appropriate Membrane Bio Reactor facility was estimated to be $8.3M. Staff recommends the facility occupy approximately 20 acres of land, permitting future expansion of the system and possible secondary recreational use for the adjacent spray fields.
Should the Board of Supervisors wish to continue this project, staff recommends completing a feasibility report ($200K) and beginning to site the facility. Once the location is determined, staff recommends beginning the environmental work as soon as possible. The environmental component is critical and it will set the schedule for the project.
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
N/A
CONTRACT NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
N/A
CONTRACT AND RFP HISTORY:
April 2021 - Task Order to the Wallace Group $8,500
LAST CONTRACT AMOUNT OR N/A:
N/A
STATE IF THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT/ HOW MANY PAST AMENDED CONTRACTS/ OR N/A:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
BUDGETED:
N/A
Budget Adjustment Needed: N/A
Unfunded Mandate (Is this a mandate not funded by the State): N/A