Keyes MAC hears update on Well 9 filtration and potential Turlock sewer-rate doubling

At a Nov. 14 special meeting in Keyes, the Keyes Municipal Advisory Council heard officials describe progress on a filtration project at Well 9 intended to remove the contaminant 123‑TCP and briefed residents on a notice from the City of Turlock that sewer-processing charges may double beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

The council was told a contractor is installing water filters at Well 9, with the project scheduled to be completed by December 2025. Council records say recent pumping has produced water from Well 9 that tested “non-detect” for 123‑TCP, the contaminant historically tied to agricultural nematode treatments that seeped into local aquifers. Maintenance staff reported they have researched a filtration approach that would allow media changes over time — for example, using media to address arsenic now and swapping to media targeted to 123‑TCP if that contaminant reappears — which staff said could reduce overall costs compared with installing two separate systems.

General Manager Garza explained the district’s typical base water bill is $34.97 per month and reiterated that the system charges for water use are billed separately. He also told the council the district currently pays roughly $35,000 per month to the City of Turlock for sewer processing; according to a letter the district received, Turlock indicated those charges could rise to about $70,000 per month starting Jan. 1, 2025. Staff said they will research how that increase would affect the district’s budget and whether costs would need to be passed on to customers.

The meeting record does not contain a formal action to levy new charges; rather, officials placed the matter on the record for future study. The Keyes Community Services District board was scheduled to meet Nov. 26, 2024, to review related budget and service details.