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PUC water capital update: $87M Westside recycled water contract, Calaveras dam progress, Alameda Creek appeal set for Sept. 5
Summary
The PUC reported water capital progress: Westside recycled water construction contract awarded for $87,000,000, San Andreas pipeline design at 90% and Calaveras Dam at about 65 feet of an expected 220-foot height; Alameda Creek recapture EIR was certified and an appeal hearing is scheduled Sept. 5.
Dan Wade, director of water capital projects and programs, presented the water enterprise quarterly CIP update and a Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) status report on Aug. 8.
CIP highlights: Wade said the San Francisco groundwater Phase 2 has commenced limited performance testing at the Lake Merced well and that the San Andreas pipeline Phase 2 is about 90% complete in design. The Westside recycled water project construction contract was awarded in May for $87,000,000 and staff anticipates a notice-to-proceed once outstanding real-estate issues with the state are resolved.
WISP and regional projects: Wade said the WISP local program is roughly 95% complete. He described Calaveras Dam construction at elevation 609, roughly 65 feet of the 220-foot embankment planned, and noted work runs multiple shifts to accelerate progress before winter. He also said the Alameda Creek recapture project environmental impact report was certified and approved by the commission; Alameda County Water District filed an appeal and an appeal hearing with the board of supervisors is scheduled for Sept. 5.
Cost and constructability issues: Commissioners pressed staff about contingency increases (Wade said additional contingency on an agenda item is roughly 20% of the contract) and causes for change: constrained access, wildlife protections (swallows and coordination with a wildlife museum), previously unknown landslides encountered during excavation that required additional anchors and reinforcement, and unusually wet winters that increased sediment and rework. Wade said some contractor claims (New River Rinto) for about $22,000,000 were settled for $7,000,000 while paperwork is finalized to close that project.
Next steps: staff will proceed with performance testing for regional groundwater storage wells, site additional San Bruno wells to meet level-of-service goals, and continue work on the Alameda Creek and Calaveras projects while preparing contingency and contracting actions for commission approval where needed.
