WRWC approves $160,000 contract for Phase 1a study on regional wastewater planning

The Western Regional Water Commission on April 16 approved up to $160,000 from the regional water management fund for Raftelis to perform Phase 1a of a feasibility study on regional planning and management of wastewater utilities and effluent disposal.

The study’s first phase will document local utilities’ challenges and clarify objectives for possible regional alternatives, including questions about staffing, stormwater interactions and effluent distribution, Raftelis project manager Zachary Green told commissioners. "I would be the project manager for this work if it's approved," Green said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want a clear, early understanding of whether regional options could reduce costs, improve effluent management and standardize pricing across service areas. The Phase 1a consulting work is intended as an initial, 6-to-9-month effort to gather data, interview utility staff and elected officials, quantify key challenges and present findings to a study working group.

Scope and team: The engagement approved today covers Phase 1a only and emphasizes administrative and financial analysis rather than engineering design. Raftelis will serve as prime consultant; the amended scope includes limited roles for Jacobs and legal/planning support from a western water law expert (referred to in materials as Zanjero). Deliverables include a kickoff with the study working group, interviews and workshops, a draft and final report, and a facilitated workshop to review findings.

Questions from commissioners focused on whether the study would address both "front-end" stormwater impacts on collection systems and "back-end" effluent distribution and pricing. Green and WRWC staff said those topics fall within the Phase 1a information-gathering tasks and could be studied in subsequent phases if warranted.

Disclosure: Commissioner Kathleen Taylor disclosed a potential relationship under NRS 281A.420, noting her firm (TaylorMade Solutions) is a subconsultant to Jacobs on an unrelated project. "I have no connection to this project. As a result, I conclude that the independence of judgment of a reasonable person in my situation would not be materially affected by this relationship," Taylor said. She stated she would vote on the item.

Vote and next steps: Member Andreola moved to approve the scope and funding; Member Doer seconded. The motion passed unanimously. If the region wishes to proceed beyond Phase 1a, commissioners said they expect future authorizations for Phase 1b/1c to examine shortlisted alternatives and implementation feasibility.

Not included here: specific next-phase budgets, which the commission said would return for separate authorization if requested.