Photographs courtesy of
Sally Leonard Photography
Wastewater Project
Monthly Wastewater Project Updates
Collection
System Value Engineering Presentation June 18th, 2008
Wastewater Project
Community Outreach Plan, May 2008
May
2008
March
2008 / Project
Schedule
February
2008 / PowerPoint
Presentation
January
2008
Year
End Summary 2007
December
2007
November
2007
October
2007
September
2007
Overview
The Hi-Desert Water District and the Town
of Yucca Valley have made it their number one priority to bring a municipal
wastewater facility to Yucca Valley. Since 1992, in public session, the
Hi-Desert Water District has been discussing the necessity of a wastewater
treatment facility. The need for a facility is mainly due to the use of
septic tanks to handle wastes and the resulting nitrate detection in some
of the District's wells. This makes the need to protect our groundwater
from further contamination a very important issue.
It is estimated that over 10,000 Yucca Valley households use septic systems to process waste. In addition, the entire commercial corridor of Yucca Valley is reliant on septic systems. Studies have verified septic systems are the cause of high nitrate levels in some District wells. Since most of the wells lie along the commercial corridor where the highest density of septic systems exist, the well fields are in danger of further contamination. A nitrate removal system, was already installed to treat water from a couple affected water wells. This has delayed the immediate need, but the time has come for the community to address the issue.
The Regional Water Quality Control Board has said it is time for Yucca Valley to develop a municipal wastewater treament site that will serve the entire Yucca Valley area. They believe that it is only a matter of time before the continued use of septic systems will cause irreversible damage to our groundwater. Once that happens the only remedy will be to install costly nitrate removal treatment systems to treat all water.
Click to learn more about septic systems.
Brief History
In November 1992, Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors commissioned
an engineering firm to complete the initial wastewater feasibility study.
The study was completed and received by the Board in May 1993. The next
step was a wastewater master plan. The Board did not immediately authorize
the master plan. Committee meetings and presentations to the full Board
occurred over the next several years before the Wastewater Master Plan was
adopted in January 1998. In September 1998, the engineering firm began to
design and provide plans and specifications for a wastewater treatment facility.
From 1998 to the present, numerous tasks have been completed, e.g. seismic
studies, location of facility, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
to move this project forward.
In 2005, the Regional Water Quality Control Board required the first package treatment plant be installed in Yucca Valley at the Applebee's Restaurant. Due to the unique nature of restaurants they are required to treat their waste to 98% pure water before releasing it to the ground for perculation back to our groundwater. (This is compared to the approximate 45% pure water being released by septic tank.) The requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board has caused an increased awareness of the need for a municipal system and prompted the community to start asking questions. It is and always has been the Hi-Desert Water District's number one priority to provide quality water to the community of Yucca Valley, which involves protecting the groundwater from contamination.
Financial
As early as February 1996, District staff was developing funding sources
for the treatment facilities. In September 1996, Congress passed legislation
which included the District’s wastewater facilities for up to 25% of the
project’s construction cost. In FY 1997 and FY 1998 two grants, $800,000
(FY 97) and $500,000 (FY 98) were written in the EPA budget by Congressman
Lewis. Those grant funds were used for engineering, seismic study, CEQA,
for the purchase of the property, and other pre-construction costs. Staff
continues to meet with federal and state representatives, Bureau of Reclamation
representatives, Department of Water Resources staff, and others in an attempt
to secure additional project funding. The District has also hired the services
of State and Federal Legislative Advisors to assist with grant funding.
With Federal and State funding programs available for these types of projects,
the District is optimistic and will continue to explore every possibility.
Benefits
In addition to controlling nitrate contamination resulting from septic systems,
the sewer system would also provide the opportunity to recharge treated
wastewater into the Warren Valley Basin using recharge basins. It is estimated
that 1,000 acre feet of water per year could be recharged into the Warren
Valley Basin. This recharge would help offset a portion of the the cost
of maintaining and operating the wastewater treatment facility.
Location
The wastewater property has been purchased and will be located off Hwy 62
between La Contenta Road and Avalon Avenue. The CEQA and NEPA environmental
studies have begun and are expected to be complete sometime in early 2008.
When purchasing the property the Engineering Consultant considered the following:
- Elevation of the site. With a low property elevation, pumping costs (electrical costs) will be considerably less by using gravity as compared to pumping sewage uphill to a treatment facility. Gravity sewers are cheaper in terms of construction costs as well as operation and maintenance costs.
- The size of the property needed is approximately 50 acres to allow an adequate buffer zone around the facility.
- The property needed to be within the District’s service area.
- Evaluation for seismic activity was also necessary to meet State standards.
Phase I
Phase I of the Wastewater Project has been drafted and is currently being
evaluated by the District Engineer. The most critical section of the community
lies along the highway, nearest the wells, is included in the Phase I area.
The focus is primarily on commercial, industrial and high density residential
zones. Phase 1 runs along Highway 62 where the main trunk collection line
will be run. The main trunk collection line will be designed for large enough
to serve the entire community at build out. It will run north of Highway
62. This will provide the backbone for the entire wastewater collection
system. For a copy of the tentative Phase 1 map click
here.
Public Participation
The Hi-Desert Water District continues to seek public input for
the wastewater treatment facility and has now formed the Wastewater
Public Advisory Committee, which met for the first time on
October 10, 2007. They meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month
at 6:00 p.m. in the District Boardroom. The public is welcome to attend.
Other public forum meetings will be held to allow residents to voice their
opinions, ask questions, and learn about this project. Please plan to attend
the regular board meetings, which are held the first and third Wednesday
of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the District board room.
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board also is forming a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Committee. They will meet the third Thursday at 6:00 p.m. of each month in the Hi-Desert Water District board room to discuss the drafting of regulations to protect our groundwater.
If you would like additional information or have any questions, please contact Joe Glowitz at 760.228.6285 or email joeg@hdwd.com or Jennifer Cusack at 760.228.6267 or email jenniferc@hdwd.com.
Last updated: 3/27/08