Recycled water project moving forward
Bruce Meadows
Novato Advance
07/06/2011
With concerns for the California red-legged frog habitat as well as possible Indian burial remains addressed, work is starting on the first segment of a recycled water project in Novato.
“The manager is lined up, environmental monitoring is lined up and we have an agreement with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria,” said Chris DeGabriele, general manager of the North Marin Water District.
DeGabriele said the environmental review has been completed and a contractor, Ghilotti Construction, has been secured.
“This is the first segment of a recycled water project in the north Novato area,” he said, explaining that recycled water will be taken from Atherton Avenue at Fire Station 64 and brought up Atherton Avenue to Valley Memorial Cemetery. The next segment will run up Olive Avenue to Redwood Boulevard, ending at Fireman’s Fund.
The project involves an 8-inch pipeline covering less than a mile, and is expected to be completed by October.
Concerns about the California red-legged frog habitat as well as the possibility of disturbing Native American burial remains required the water district to move slowly on the project, which has been in the planning stages for a decade, DeGabriele said.
An environmental review indicated the presence of the frog habitat, but because the pipeline construction will be beneath roadways already built, DeGabriele doesn’t expect problems. The same applies to the burial grounds.
“The environmental review showed the existence of the frog habitat so we have had monitoring in place,” he said, adding that because the frog habitat is in a low-lying area apart from the road, he doesn’t anticipate an issue.
“There is also the possibility of potential Indian remains in the area,” said DeGabriele. “But we don’t expect to encounter anything under the present roadway.”
Decreasing the odds of encountering problems with either the frog habitat or possible remains is the method being used to install the pipeline.
DeGabriele said “trenchless technology” will be implemented, which involves digging a pit at one end of a particular short stretch and doing the same thing at another spot. The pipeline path is then dug under the roadway, minimizing the need to tear up existing pavement.
DeGabriele said that even though this is a more efficient and less invasive method, some traffic control will be required.
Money — or the lack thereof — also prolonged the project, DeGabriele said.
The cost of the project is estimated at $2.5 million and funds will come in the form of a grant.
NMWD is affiliated with the North Bay Water Reuse Authority, which includes Sonoma County Water Agency, Napa Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District as well as Novato Sanitary District, Napa County and NMWD.
“We work with them (NBWRA) and other sanitary districts and water agencies in the North Bay,” explained de Gabriel. “Collectively, there was $8.3 million in federal grant money that went to Napa County, Sonoma County and North Marin.”
Novato is authorized to receive more than $4 million in federal stimulus through NBWRA that is being matched with approximately $15 million in local funds from NMWD, Novato Sanitary District and Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District.
According to NMWD, the local share is planned to be covered by loans repaid with new development connection fees.
NMWD is “pursuing both short-term and long-term improvements to water supply reliability in Novato,“ according to the district. “Expanding the use of recycled water as a sustainable local water supply in Novato is one such improvement.”
NMSD has identified various properties with large landscape areas in Novato as potential sites (cemeteries, parks, schools, etc.) to use recycled water for irrigation and is working to install new pipelines to deliver that water.
“This is tertiary treated water with excellent quality,” DeGabriele explained.
According to NMWD, “recycled water is highly treated wastewater that meets strict health and safety standards set by federal, state and local authorities.” It is not permitted to be used as drinking water.
