Willows Council approves sewer rehabilitation, orders geotechnical study after state flagged nitrates

The Willows City Council on July 22 approved a resolution to proceed with a sewer rehabilitation project and separately authorized a geotechnical investigation of the city's wastewater treatment ponds after a state inspection found elevated nitrate readings beneath the ponds.

Council members and staff said the tests and the follow-up core samples are intended to determine whether the ponds are lined to current standards; if they are not, lining or other remediation could require a multi-million-dollar repair. The council approved the items as part of the consent calendar by a unanimous vote.

The sewer rehabilitation base bid shown in agenda materials was $1,000,164.80, with a 10% contingency listed at about $116,000. The construction management and inspection line item shown in the staff report was $150,000; staff discussed…