Modesto moves ahead on recycled-water project

The Modesto City Council has certified the final environmental studies for a project to send highly treated wastewater to drought-stricken West Side farmers in the Del Puerto Water District.

The council Tuesday approved the studies as well as findings concerning the project’s environmental impacts, the measures the city will take to address them, and certain project components. It also authorized staff members to begin the process of hiring a company to design and build the project, which could go into operation as soon as 2018.

City and Del Puerto officials praised the project because of its beneficial reuse of wastewater for cropland during a time of drought. They said the project has the strong support of state and federal officials.

Modesto is working with Del Puerto and Turlock on the project, which calls for the cities to build pipelines from their wastewater treatment plants to the Delta-Mendota Canal. Del Puerto would then send the water to its farmers. In wet years, water also would be sent to wildlife refuges. The cities now discharge some of their wastewater into the San Joaquin River.

The project will cost Modesto about $50 million. The city will recoup its costs through what it charges Del Puerto for the water. Those charges are expected to include additional revenue for the city.

The Turlock Irrigation District has voiced concerns about the project, including that it would harm the Turlock Groundwater Subbasin because it sends water out of the basin.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Modesto moves ahead on recycled-water project."