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Montero hears WaterSMART proposals for telemetry, isotope study and SCADA upgrades
Summary
Balance Hydrologics presented three WaterSMART grant applications: a geospatial hydrologic database with six telemetry stations, a groundwater age-dating isotope study to inform recharge, and SCADA/distribution monitoring modernization to add flow meters and pressure sensors and reduce nonrevenue water.
At its July 9 meeting the Montero Water Exemption District received a detailed presentation from Balance Hydrologics (Maya Montalvo) on three WaterSMART applications the district submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation.
Montalvo said the district applied to two WaterSMART subprograms (applied science and small-scale water efficiency) for three two-year projects: (1) a geospatial hydrologic database and decision-support tool that would centralize decades of streamflow, groundwater pumping and water-quality data and install six telemetry stations; (2) a groundwater age-dating program using stable and radiogenic isotopes with quarterly sampling to assess recharge and inform sustainable pumping decisions; and (3) SCADA distribution monitoring modernization to install flow meters, pressure sensors and modern SCADA software to improve automated leak detection and reduce nonrevenue water losses.
Presenters listed collaborators including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California State East Bay and Calcon Systems; they said the federal request is about 45% of total cost on the projects shown, with the district providing the remaining share.
Board members asked whether the SCADA system needs replacement independent of grant outcomes and whether quoted figures include capital costs and ongoing maintenance. Staff said the district is already running legacy and partial new SCADA systems in parallel and that the Calcon quote covers the instruments shown; the presenter said operating lifetimes and annual maintenance estimates would require confirmation with Calcon.
District engineer Megatania stated the district reduced nonrevenue water from about 21% when the district assumed operations to roughly 7% today through targeted projects. Directors expressed interest in the telemetry and isotope work as tools to support long-term planning and expressed concern about cybersecurity when adding modern SCADA elements; presenters and staff said security considerations are part of the modernization approach and that the older system would remain in place during transition.
No formal vote was taken on the WaterSMART applications at this meeting; staff noted implementation costs and operating expenses would be clarified if grants are awarded. Staff said they would follow up with detailed maintenance and lifetime estimates for SCADA instruments and the district would be informed of award outcomes in future funding cycles.
Next steps: staff will continue to seek funding and will provide board follow-up on SCADA lifecycle and O&M cost estimates if and when awards are made.
