Major Water System Upgrade Underway
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PRESS STORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information Contact |
District General Manager Clemens Heldmaier at the construction site for water storage tank 2
Construction sign with Montara Water and Sanitary District's Tank 1 in the background
Alta Vista Water Tank Construction Starts
The largest public works project ever undertaken by Montara Water and Sanitary District is now underway, bringing improved emergency water supplies and enhanced firefighting capability.
The new 500,000-gallon water storage tank under construction on Alta Vista Road is part of a master plan upgrade of the district’s water system. Construction is expected to be completed in December 2015.
“This is an important and necessary project for us so that we can provide better service to the community, including providing for future water supply needs,” said MWSD General Manager Clemens Heldmaier. “
Because the District uses 100% local water supplies, we have control other agencies don’t have. The additional water storage allows the District to operate the individual wells more efficiently by providing the opportunity to prioritize which well to use according to supply availability and drought status, as well as to lower pumping costs by pumping at off-peak hours when electricity costs less.
Though originally envisioned as a 1 million-gallon tank, the project was able to be reduced in size and cost as a result of the success of the community’s water conservation program.
Low cost funding for the facility was achieved through a loan from the State Revolving Fund at only 2.2 percent.
The District also realized significant cost savings by rejecting the first round of bids received and making modifications before undertaking a second round of bidding. The changes resulted in about $1million in savings. The contract was awarded to Western Water Constructors, Inc., of Santa Rosa at $2.93 million.
The tank is built to be secure in the event of an earthquake and has special design features to decrease long-term maintenance costs. With addition of this tank, the District now has 1.3 million gallons of water in storage—ready to meet customer water needs any time, day or night.
These water system upgrades are part of an ongoing program designed to make the District’s water services more reliable for customers. The District is also steadily upgrading the sewer system, investing about $3 million each year in combined water and sewer improvements.
Addressing neighborhood concerns, and Coastal Commission requirements, the storage tank will be restricted in height by partially burying the tank. In addition, a hiking/biking trail adjacent to the site will be kept open. The District is communicating closely with neighbors near the construction site and is enforcing strict construction rules to minimize neighborhood impacts. Truck traffic impact around Montara / Moss Beach during construction is expected to be minimal.
“The Alta Vista Tank improves storage for firefighting, meets customer demand during emergencies, and enhances water quality,” Heldmaier said. “When the existing tank No. 1 on the site needs to be serviced, tank No. 2 provides the needed storage. Altogether, it represents a great new benefit to the community.”
Customers interested in additional information about water, sanitary or solid waste services in Montara and Moss Beach are asked to contact the District at any time by calling
650-728-3545 or emailing info@mwsd.net
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