Town awards $113,090 design contract for Old Black Canyon transmission main and multi-use path

The Prescott Valley Town Council on March 20 unanimously approved a $113,090 professional services agreement with Dava and Associates to design the Old Black Canyon water transmission main and an associated multi-use path along the Old Black Canyon Highway.

Public Works staff said the transmission main will run between the eastern boundary of Stoneridge and the western boundary of Prescott Country Club within an existing right-of-way and will provide an alternative supply route to address PFAS contamination in the Quailwood area. Heather Reuter (staff) explained the pipeline is intended to provide redundancy after three wells in that area were taken out of service because of PFAS; the design work was funded now with construction budgeted in the next fiscal year.

The project includes pressure-reducing stations and a proposed 12-foot wide asphalt multi-use path to complete a segment of the Lasso Loop Trail. Reuter said Yavapai County holds the right-of-way and that state land, federal land and grazing allotments may be involved, requiring coordination with multiple land managers.

Council member Williams asked about the relative costs of PFAS treatment at well sites. Staff clarified the town previously estimated roughly $10 million to treat three well sites collectively (about $2.5–$3 million per well), whereas a transmission main would be less expensive to construct and operate than multiple treatment systems.

The motion to approve the professional services agreement and related budget transfer passed unanimously.