Atwater approves $1.7'$1.9 million project to rehabilitate Castle sewer interceptor; council okays extra funding

The Atwater City Council voted to award a construction contract to rehabilitate the Castle Sewer Interceptor after staff described the project's scope, funding needs and the procurement results. Public Works staff said the project addresses an aging pump station that has required temporary portable pumps since 2020. The project was designed to include above-ground pumps and a second pump set to meter low flows from Castle Airport, the prison and Castle Gardens.

Staff reported a construction estimate of $1.9 million; bids came in with a low of approximately $1,748,000. Because initial budgeting had not included the final design, staff asked the council to authorize an additional $600,000 to cover the contract, contingencies, special inspection and testing. The project timeline was described as 8 to 12 months, driven largely by procurement lead times for pumps and electrical equipment; once materials arrive, staff said construction would take roughly 60 calendar days.

Council members asked about cost-sharing agreements. Staff said the city receives about $28,000 per month from the prison plus a $40,000 annual maintenance fee and receives roughly $3,000 per month from the Castle Airport (lower flow). Staff said work on a county agreement is ongoing.

A member of the public urged the city to press past county agreements and asked whether the city had lost revenue historically when prior contracts were not ratified. The council voted to award the contract and to include the requested augmentation in the project budget; the motion carried unanimously.

The project report noted the city previously purchased temporary pumps when the existing pump station failed, explained the metering rationale (to measure low flows) and said additional funding will cover contingencies and testing. Council directed staff to provide a status report on the project schedule at a future meeting.