Doug York presents $35M water treatment expansion plans for Colfax community

The Colfax City Council meeting on April 18, 2025, featured significant updates on local water infrastructure projects, primarily presented by Doug York, an associate engineer with the Placer County Water Agency. The meeting focused on two major initiatives: the Shady Glen consolidation project and the replacement of the Colfax water treatment plant.

York detailed the Shady Glen consolidation project, which aims to install approximately 1,700 feet of new piping to integrate the Shady Glen Mobile Home Park's failing water system into the Placer County Water Agency's (PCWA) network. This consolidation is crucial as the new owners of the mobile home park are unable to maintain their existing water treatment facility. The project has received full funding from the state, and local contractor Loring Brothers Construction has been selected for the work. Traffic control measures will be implemented to ensure one lane remains open during construction, which is expected to begin in June and conclude by the end of 2027.

Additionally, York discussed the replacement of the aging Colfax water treatment plant, which has been in operation since the mid-1950s. The new facility will increase production capacity from 1.24 million gallons per day to 2 million gallons, accommodating future growth and consolidations. The design allows for further expansion to 3 million gallons per day as needed. The total cost for the new treatment plant is estimated at $35 million, with construction costs around $28.6 million.

The council also addressed the decommissioning of the old treatment plant, which will be closed but not demolished at this time. The meeting concluded with a brief introduction of a public hearing regarding a new sidewalk repair and maintenance liability ordinance, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance local infrastructure.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the city's commitment to improving water services and infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency for the community.