Del Oro Traver District TCP Mitigation Project

Project Update - February 2023

Del Oro is working with its contractor and engineer on the final outstanding items to get approval from the State to bring the water treatment plant online. We thank you for your patience as we work to complete this project.

 

Below, you can see the carbon filter media being delivered for the treatment vessels:

 

 

 

 

Project Update - May 2022

The treatment plant is nearing completion, with some electrical work remaining. Del Oro is waiting for PG&E to install its transformer to power the plant, with final inpections and testing to follow. The project has taken longer than anticipated due to long lead times on various components and materials. 

 

The photos below show the site graded with aggregate. The fence has been removed around Well #1 to integrate it into the treatment plant site.

 

 

 

Below, you can see the electrical conduit has been installed to the hydro-pneumatic tank on the left. The picture on the right shows the pad that is ready for the transformer when it's available.

 

  

 

 

Project Update - February 2022

During February 2022, the water treatment plant really started coming together toward completion.

 

In the photo below, you can see most of the site from the perspective of the well head:

Seen below is the completed fence:

And below are three photos showing concrete work completed at the generator pad, chemical building, and the plant driveway:

  

 

 

Project Update - January 2022

During January 2022, the contractor completed the connections at the well head, to and from the treatment vessels (top photo). They also backfilled all of their trenches (bottom photo). 

 

 

Project Update - December 1, 2021

Many items have been completed, or are nearing completion since the last update.

 

The piping for the backwash pump is nearly complete (left), and the underground piping for the GAC Vessels has been completed and buried (right):

 

 

 

The emergency generator has been placed on the slab, and the electrical conduit has been set:

 

  

 

Project Update - November 3, 2021

In the past three months, there have been significant delays in the Treatment Plant Project due to permitting and supply chain issues. Please see the updated timeline below. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2021.

 

The GAC Vessel piping was installed in September; shown here with the backflow pump assembly, which is ready to be hooked up: 

 

 

 

The chemical building arrived in late October, which will house the chlorine used to disinfect the raw water:

 

 

Project Update - July 27, 2021

The GAC Vessel and piping arrived this morning for installation. Please see the updated timeline below for estimated treatment plant completion.

 

The arrival of the GAC Vessels and the piping:

 

 

Offloading the piping for the GAC Vessels:

 

 

Offloading the GAC Vessels for installation:

 

 

GAC Vessels and piping installed on the cement slab:

 

 

 

Project Update - June 29, 2021

The crew is currently building the backwash tank and expects to complete it by Friday, July 2, 2021.

 

 

Project Update - June 4, 2021

This week, crews prepared for and poured the cement pads for the backwash tank ringwall, the chemical room, and the granular activated carbon filters (GACFs) which make up the treatment vessels. They finished the forms, installed rebar, and poured cement. They also re-compacted the generator area in preparation for its cement pad.

 

Backwash Tank Ringwall:

 

 

Chemical Room Pad:

 

 

GACF pad:

   

 

Generator Pad Re-Compaction:

 

Project Update - May 28, 2021

After fulfilling the additional permit requirements, crews are back at work on the treatment plant. The county inspection was completed for the ring wall, chemical room, and for the treatment vessel pad. They are currently preparing to pour the cement pads for the generator and for the treatment plant vessels. They plan on puring cement next week. Once poured, the cement will cure for two weeks before placing anything on the pads.

 

 

Project Update - April 7, 2021

During the past month, the contractor was informed by Tulare County of additional permit requirements. While awaiting the updated permit, crews have stayed busy installing rebar for the backwash tank wall, and completing that form. Concrete will be poured to form the tank wall when approval is granted. 

 

 

 

Preparations are continuing for the concrete pads for the vessels.

 

 

Project Update - March 5, 2021

The storm drain pond was completed this week, with riprap placed around the inlets. The old pipe has been disconnected to Well 1, which is no longer in use. Preparations are being made to start pouring concrete pads, including leveling the lot and fabricating rebar.

 

 

 

Project Update - February 26, 2021

The construction crew worked to keep the street clean while grading the storm drain pond this week, as shown in the following pictures:

 

 

 

Project Update - February 11, 2021

The construction crew cleaned and leveled the storm drain pond this week, as shown in the following pictures:

 

 

 

In addition, trenching was done, and electrical conduit was installed:

 

    

 

Finally, forms are going up to pour the walls for the backwash tank:

 

 

 

The construction crew broke ground on the Traver TCP Treatment Plant the week of January 11, 2021. Because the treatment plant requires a new backwash tank, crews first needed to bypass and abandon the mainline currently running through the site for that tank. To avoid interruption of service, the bypass was hot tapped into the existing lines.

 

Here, personnel are shown tapping into the existing line (bottom of photo 1), and connecting the new bypass into the existing line running parallel to the street (right side of photo 2).

 

 

Installation of meters in Traver is complete as of December 2017. Customers billed flat rate will be transitioning to metered rates for their February 2018 bills. Since flat rate service is billed in advance, flat rate customers will not receive a January 2018 bill as metered service is billed in arrears. Please see the letter that was sent to flat rate customers with the December 2017 bills for additional information:

Letter re: Change to Metered Service

2015 Meter Exchange Project

Flat Rate customers will be gradually transitioned to meters no later than the end of 2016.

2015 Emergency Standby Well Project- Last Update: 10/16/15

One of Del Oro Water Company’s first priorities for our Traver District customers is to undertake necessary improvements to Well #2 (the standby well). Well #2 has a water-level deficiency due to the water table having dropped to below the level of the well’s pump settings. It appears that the over drafting of the basin in that area has contributed to the significant draw down of the water table during the severe drought we are all experiencing.

In order to prevent future water outages and maintain the health and safety of the water system, Del Oro Water Company is immediately undertaking a depth increase of Well #2, as well as assessing and addressing any other conditions with the well which may be found. The total cost of the project is estimated, at this time, to be approximately $15,000 to $20,000.

METERED Service Charges
The Service Charge is a Readiness to Serve Charge which is applicable to all metered water service and to which is added the charge for water used, computed at the Quantity Rate below.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Reimbursement Surcharge
A 0.8% surcharge is required to be added to all customers' bills, which is calculated on all amounts due and is forwarded to the Commission throughout the year.

Other Services and Fees
Please see the back of your bill for additional information about other services and fees.

FLAT RATE Service Charges
The Service Charge is a Flat Rate Service Charge which is applicable to all flat rate water service.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Reimbursement Surcharge
A 0.8% surcharge is required to be added to all customers' bills, which is calculated on all amounts due and is forwarded to the Commission throughout the year.

Other Services and Fees
Please see the back of your bill for additional information about other services and fees.

1. The annual service charge applies to service during the 12 month period commencing January 1 and is due in advance. If a permanent resident of the area has been a customer if the utility for at least 12 months, the resident may elect at the begininng of the calendar year, to pay prorated service charges in advance in intervals of less than one year in accordance with the utility's established billing periods.
    
2. The established billing cycle for water used is monthly.
    
3. The opening bill for meter service, except upon conversion from flat rate service, shall be established after the first day of any year, the portion of such annual charge applicable to the current year shall be determined by multiplying the annual charge by one three-hundred-sixty-fifth (1/365) of the number of days remaining in the calendar year. The balance of the payment of the initial annual charge shall be credited against the charges for the succeeding annual period. If service is not continued for at least one year after the date of initial service, no refund of the initial annual charges shall be due the customers.
    
4. All bills are subject to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Reimbursement Fee set forth in Schedule No. UF.
    
5. A late charge will be imposed per Schedule No. LC.
    
6. In accordance with Section 2714 of the Public Utilities Code, if a tenant in a rental unit leaves owing the company, service to subsequent tenants in that unit will, at the company's option, be furnished on the account of the landlord or property owner.
    
7. The CPUC granted and approved on January 1, 2020, for the Traver District an Interim Rate Increase, followed by Resolution No. W-5229 dated August 6, 2020, granting a General Rate Increase and eliminating the $10.54 Lost Revenue Surcharge. With approval of this Advice Letter No. 523, DOWCTR is granted reimbursement of the under-collected revenues in the amount of $23,484.72 as a one-time surcharge over approximately forty-eight (48) billing cycles at $2.45 per customer per month, or until the net shortfall is reimbursed. If over-collection of funds occurs, a credit will be issued to the customers.

Special Conditions - Traver Annual General FLAT RATE Service

1. The annual service charge applies to service during the 12 month period commencing January 1 and is due in advance. If a permanent resident of the area has been a customer if the utility for at least 12 months, the resident may elect at the begininng of the calendar year, to pay prorated service charges in advance in intervals of less than one year in accordance with the utility's established billing periods.
    
2. The established billing cycle for water used is monthly.
    
3. The opening bill for meter service, except upon conversion from flat rate service, shall be established after the first day of any year, the portion of such annual charge applicable to the current year shall be determined by multiplying the annual charge by one three-hundred-sixty-fifth (1/365) of the number of days remaining in the calendar year. The balance of the payment of the initial annual charge shall be credited against the charges for the succeeding annual period. If service is not continued for at least one year after the date of initial service, no refund of the initial annual charges shall be due the customers.
    
4. All bills are subject to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Reimbursement Fee set forth in Schedule No. UF.
    
5. A late charge will be imposed per Schedule No. LC.
    
6. In accordance with Section 2714 of the Public Utilities Code, if a tenant in a rental unit leaves owing the company, service to subsequent tenants in that unit will, at the company's option, be furnished on the account of the landlord or property owner.