Measure P, the South Livermore Sewer Extension Project, has received Livermore voters' stamp of approval to move forward, sitting at 66.59% (21,081) Yes votes in the Nov. 8 general election.

With widespread support expressed throughout the campaign season from various stakeholders, the outcome hardly comes as a surprise. The project reached well above the majority threshold to pass on Election Night and the numbers have not wavered. The No votes trail far behind at just 33.41% (10,576), according to the latest election results released Monday from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters' Office

"The Tri-Valley Conservancy is very grateful to Livermore voters for supporting Measure P. While we recognize the vote tallies have not yet been certified, given the strong majority of support we’ve received in the votes reported to date we feel optimistic that the measure will ultimately pass," said David Epstein, executive director of Tri-Valley Conservancy.

"With Measure P in place, wine country in the South Livermore Valley is likely to help sustain a healthy wine industry. Also our region’s groundwater will be protected from further contamination, which is good for our communities and the environment. We appreciate the voters of Livermore for rallying around this commonsense measure," he added.

The measure was initially proposed by the Tri-Valley Conservancy and received unanimous support from the City Council earlier this year. Several other organizations including the chamber of commerce, Visit Tri-Valley, Livermore Valley Wine Community, citizen group Friends of Livermore and Zone 7 Water Agency also supported the measure.

The election results are still unofficial at this time but Measure P's success is clear based on the current tallies which represent the majority of eligible ballots counted. The status of unprocessed ballots is estimated as 2,525 ballots countywide. The registrar of voters' office plans to certify the election by Dec. 8, at which time the results will be official.

Measure P will amend the South Livermore urban growth boundary policies to allow the city to extend sewer services to properties along Buena Vista Avenue between East Avenue and Tesla Road, down Tesla Road and south along part of Greenville Road.

The goal of the project is to protect groundwater from contamination and allow a limited expansion of wine country-related business uses in the area.

Proponents of the project have said that the need for the expansion stems from the fact that wastewater services in unincorporated areas south of Livermore are currently served by septic systems and the county has restrictions on the use of septic tanks because of high nitrate concentrations that contaminate groundwater. The county's restrictions make for limited and expensive wastewater treatment options for commercial and residential land uses.

The city's existing wastewater system has the capacity to process the additional wastewater and connection to the line will not be required but will be available at the request of individual property owners and subject to an out-of-area service agreement or annexation into the city.

The cost of construction will be split between Alameda County, which plans to contribute $6.5 million -- 80% of the funds needed -- and commercial and residential properties that choose to connect to the new sewer line.