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Ione officials say Title 22 tracer study passed; city pursues alternative well for Castle Oaks golf course irrigation
Summary
City counsel and staff reported a successful tracer study and ongoing coordination with the regional board on Title 22 compliance; while regulatory clearance is pending, staff said an agricultural well could provide irrigation to Castle Oaks Golf Course immediately and Troon management transition paperwork was being finalized.
Ione city staff and outside counsel told the City Council on May 6 that a recent tracer study required under California Title 22 has been completed successfully and will be incorporated into the Title 22 engineering report the city will submit to the Division of Drinking Water for review.
Michelle Chester, special counsel to the city, said the city and its operator are working directly with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (the regional board) and other partners to resolve administrative orders and compliance concerns. “It is my recommendation not to contact the regional board directly,” Chester said, “because the people with regulatory authority over Ione’s facility are in contact with city representatives and there is no uncertainty about the actions that Ione needs to take to resume operation of the facility.”
Facility operations manager Justin (last name not recorded) told the council that crews completed work to connect an agricultural well at the wastewater plant and run piping to the tertiary system in order to supply water to the golf course. He said public works staff laid about 1,500 feet of 4‑inch hose, used a 50‑horsepower pump to reverse flow into the tertiary system, and planned to finish work the next day. Justin said the measure could allow the golf course to receive irrigation water without waiting for regulatory reinstatement of treated wastewater discharges.
Legal counsel reported that the city finalized paperwork with Troon — the golf course manager — for the course transition and that George Lee would be on site this week to meet Troon staff and help the transition. Counsel said the transition paperwork was being finalized “with no hiccups.”
Why it matters: The tertiary plant has not discharged treated wastewater for irrigation because of outstanding Title 22 engineering and regional board administrative requirements. The tracer study outcome is a necessary technical step toward regulatory approval to resume tertiary discharges. The city’s alternative well source could allow the golf course to be irrigated while regulatory review continues.
Recusal: At the start of the meeting, Mayor Rhodes disqualified himself from an item because he said his real property, located in the City of Ione and within 500 feet of the project, “will be materially affected by the decision.”
Ending: City staff said they hope the agricultural well connection can supply the course as soon as the next day, and that staff will provide updates as work and regulatory review proceed.
