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Ione reports interconnect finished; staff proposes using treated effluent for Howard Park irrigation
Summary
City staff said a permanent interconnect project now delivers well water to the tertiary treatment plant and the golf course, increasing inflow from about 300,000 to roughly 650,000 gallons per day; staff was directed to draft a scope to extend treated effluent irrigation to Howard Park and pursue permit amendments.
The Ione City Council heard an operations update on Sept. 2 from a public works staff member about recent work at the city’s tertiary wastewater plant and related irrigation for the municipal golf course.
Justin, a city staff member, told the council the interconnect project has been completed and “has already proven successful over the past week, delivering well water to the tertiary plant and onto the golf course.” He said the system previously moved about 300,000 gallons per day when the city had to rely on an improvised 4‑inch hose and older piping; with the interconnect in place he reported the plant was able to accept about 650,000 gallons per day and that, at times, measured effluent flow leaving the plant reached higher values (staff said daily effluent peaks seen in the plant have been in the 800,000–950,000 range).
The presentation listed recent capital work completed this year: SCADA upgrades, sand filter refurbishment, a tracer study, a temporary interconnect and the new permanent interconnect. Justin said the city is amending permits “to allow us to use our own water from the sewer plant, treat it through the tertiary system, and use it to irrigate the golf course,” and that, if the permitting and project schedule proceed as expected, the connection to Howard Park could be in place “as early as next summer.” He said the interconnect and other improvements were presented to state funding partners as evidence the city was investing its own resources to qualify for grant funding.
Residents asked whether the reported incoming volumes would be enough to keep the course green during aeration work and dry weather. One resident asked, “I don't know if 650 is enough to water the course…if it needs 1,200, it really doesn't matter that much.” Justin replied that due to stored water in the plant itself, observed outflow has been higher than the instantaneous incoming figure, and that that reservoir effect produced higher effluent totals during some days.
The council did not take a formal vote on the wastewater items during the presentation. Staff said the city manager had tasked Justin with preparing a project scope to connect the tertiary plant to Howard Park and continue permit amendments; the council discussed the report and took public comment.
Why it matters: Completing the interconnect improves the city’s ability to reuse treated water for irrigation and strengthens the city’s case when applying for state grant funds. The city’s next steps are permit amendments and a staff-prepared project scope for connecting treated effluent to Howard Park, both of which would require further council review and approvals.
Looking ahead: Staff said it will continue permitting work and prepare the scope and cost estimates for the Howard Park connection so the council can consider funding and schedule options in a future meeting.
