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The Zone 7 Water Agency Board of Directors marked the groundbreaking of the agency’s much-anticipated ozonation project Wednesday afternoon.
The event took place at the site where the project will be implemented: the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant, out in Livermore’s vineyard territory by The Club at Ruby Hill. Before taking shovels in their hands to make the ceremonial first digs, Zone 7 directors lauded the coming project for what they say will help maintain high-quality water and protect public health.
“We need to have the capabilities to improve the quality of the water, and that is why we are doing the ozonation,” board president John Greci told the few dozen local officials gathered on the windy afternoon. “To get better quality water.”
The purpose of the ozonation project is to enhance the water quality by disinfecting and treating cyanotoxins at the Del Valle plant. The project will include the construction of new facilities like an ozone generation building, contactor structure, new chemical facilities and storage and a new utility water pump station.
The plan has been in works for over 15 years, according to Greci. Current estimations put planning and design costs at $3.5 million and $45 million for construction and construction management.
“Some may oppose the ozone because of the cost,” said John Marchand, Livermore mayor and a former Zone 7 board member. “But water quality has always been a top priority here at Zone 7. I can assure you it’s worth it.”
Marchand said that he had first proposed using ozone as a board member in 1991, and so it was “amusing” when he receives emails from people concerned that the agency is “rushing into this decision.”
The event came just three days after the death of Zone 7 Director Jim McGrail, noted by director Angela Ramirez-Holmes when she spoke to the crowd gathered.
“It’s a little bittersweet to be here at a Zone 7 event so soon after the loss of one of our directors, Director McGrail,” she said.
The project is currently expected to be completed and online by March 2020.
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On a windy Wednesday afternoon, the Zone 7 Board of Directors broke ground on the new ozonation project at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant in Livermore. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Board president John Greci served as master of ceremonies for the celebration. He noted that the project had been over 15 years in the works. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Zone 7’s new General Manager Valerie Pryor made a debut appearance at the event. (Photo by Erika Alvero)
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