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The Zone 7 Water Agency has released initial environmental review documents for proposed upgrades to the Patterson Pass Water Treatment Plant, and community members can now submit feedback through Aug. 22.
The project would involve the construction of new facilities in order to incorporate ozonation disinfection technology into its treatment processes.
“Ozonation has been identified as one that would be most effective to improve taste, remove odor, and maintain or improve overall water quality for water consumers in the Zone 7 service area,” agency officials wrote in a statement. “In addition to improving taste and odor, ozone is more effective than other water treatment technologies (such as powdered activated carbon, chlorine and chloramines) in addressing algal byproducts and chemicals of emerging concern, including endocrine disruptors, as well as pharmaceutical and personal care product residues.”
The proposed ozonation project is estimated to cost $92 million overall, to be funded by water rates, new connection fees and bonds.
It is similar to the one already underway at the Del Valle Treatment Plant. Zone 7 anticipates that the final Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) — the documents evaluating the environmental impacts of the project — will be presented for possible approval at the regular board meeting Sept. 19.
Overall, the review found minimal environmental impact from the project, located at 8750 Patterson Pass Road, east of Livermore in unincorporated Alameda County. However, some mitigation measures would be required if passed, specifically in regards to air quality, biological resources, soil erosion, cultural resources (both tribal and otherwise), hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality and utilities and service systems.
The draft documents and additional information about the project are available online at the water agency’s website. A copy of the draft MND will also be available at the Livermore Civic Center Public Library (1188 S. Livermore Ave.), Dublin Public Library (200 Civic Plaza) and the Pleasanton Public Library (400 Old Bernal Ave.).
Locals can submit comments to Mona Olmsted at molmsted@zone7water.com or via mail to 100 N. Canyons Pkwy., Livermore, CA 94551.
Another water-related public comment period is now open, as draft environmental documents for the state’s California WaterFix project have been released.
The California WaterFix aims to improve water access by constructing two tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to transport water to Central and Southern California. The recent draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) was released July 17, evaluating proposed modifications approved by the state a year ago.
Zone 7 adopted a resolution to support the controversial project in September 2017.
“California WaterFix would provide a much-needed upgrade to the aging through-Delta conveyance currently used by Zone 7 to import roughly 80 percent of the Valley’s supplies,” agency officials said in a statement. “Despite Zone 7’s efforts to increase supply reliability through other sources, the Water Supply Evaluation shows that Zone 7 will continue to rely on water conveyed through the Delta and delivered to the Valley via the SWP for about 70% of its supplies.”
The environmental review is available at the California WaterFix website.
Members of the public can submit comments via mail to “WaterFix Comments 2018,” P.O. Box 1919, Sacramento, CA 95812; alternatively, comments can be sent in by email to WaterFixComments@icf.com with the subject line “Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS Comments.”
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