Sac Area Sewer District reports construction progress, new $73 million state allocation for Harvest Water program

Board members heard a quarterly update March 26 on the Harvest Water recycled-water program, including construction progress, grant reimbursements and outreach to growers and residents.

The presentation, led by Harvest Water capital program manager Mike Crooks and APMO representative Joe Filbora, said weather has slowed construction but several pipeline segments and tunnels are complete or under way. Crooks told the board the program has installed 18.3 miles of pipeline out of a 41.4-mile target and expects major pump-station excavation to begin next month. "The rains that have come since December have really hampered progress on pretty much everything," Crooks said.

The update outlined the program's budget and grant status. Joe Filbora said the program has received WSIP (Water Storage Investment Program) invoice reimbursements (invoices 1 and 2 totaling about $23.9 million; invoice 3 approved for $15.7 million) and expects to submit invoice 4 for approximately $84 million. Filbora said the California Water Commission voted March 19 to allocate an additional $73 million to Harvest Water, noting the project was the only one of six…