Council authorizes switchgear purchase for wastewater solar; staff directed to pursue larger plant expansion planning

The Hanford City Council authorized purchase of electrical switchgear needed to connect a solar array at the wastewater treatment plant and directed staff to continue planning for a larger wastewater upgrade if future funding and a Prop 218 fee process make expansion feasible.

Why it matters: the wastewater plant supplies sanitary‑sewer treatment for the city. Staff presented near‑term needs (switchgear procurement to meet an Edison interconnection deadline) and medium‑term choices about upgrading capacity to accommodate rapid growth and to pursue water‑reuse/tertiary treatment options.

Purchase and immediate work: - Staff asked the council to authorize the city manager to execute purchase of electrical switchgear to support the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) solar project from 1 Source Distributors in Fresno for $130,528.85 (procurement driven by vendor lead times and an Edison interconnection deadline). Staff noted the switchgear lead time is critical to meeting an April 2026 interconnection deadline.

Background and capacity planning: - Plant history and condition: staff said the wastewater plant’s original elements date from 1948–49 and the plant was last upgraded in 2004 to a design capacity of 8.0 MGD. Staff reported current average flows around 5.4 MGD and that the older side of the plant—still in service—handles roughly 40% of flows while consuming a disproportionate share of operating cost. - Growth projections: staff compiled development pipeline figures and projected thousands of equivalent dwelling units coming online in the next five years; projections showed the plant could reach the 80–85% design threshold that triggers required discussions with the regional water‑quality control board. - Cost and staging: staff presented an estimated subtotal for upgrading the 8 MGD facility (included in the staff materials) and said an incremental expansion from 8 to 12 MGD could cost on the order of $30 million, with an additional tertiary treatment stage potentially costing about $10 million. Staff recommended proceeding with the solar and the 8‑MGD upgrade as the near‑term combined project and to scope the 12‑MGD expansion as a separate RFP/design effort so the city can plan funding, environmental review and discharge strategies.

Funding and next steps: - Staff said the city would likely use wastewater impact fees, grants and debt to fund a major expansion; any fee increases would require a Prop 218 process. Staff recommended hiring financial and engineering consultants (rate/fee study and funding plan) and returning to council with a refined scope, costs, and a recommended funding path.

Council action: council approved staff’s recommendation to purchase the switchgear and to proceed with planning steps, including issuing an RFP for the expansion scope and moving forward with the solar procurement steps; the motion passed 5–0. Staff said they will also bring a rate‑study and funding plan back to council for future decisions.

Ending: city staff will purchase the switchgear to preserve the solar interconnection opportunity, continue design and procurement for upgrades to support an eventual 12‑MGD capacity, and return with funding scenarios and a refined CIP that could include a Prop 218 rate process if necessary.