Construction on the nearly $24 million West Hills Water Treatment Plant, which is designed to improve drinking water quality, water supply reliability, and balance regional water resources in the Hollister Urban Area, could begin as soon as September, consultant Harry Blohm told the Hollister City Council on Aug. 3.
The surface water treatment plant that would serve the City of Hollister and adjacent unincorporated areas of San Benito County designated for urban development. The plant will be located in an unincorporated area of San Benito County just outside of the southwestern boundary of the City of Hollister in the hills north of Union Road near Riverside Road. The project site consists of two vacant parcels totaling approximately 33 acres that are jointly owned by Hollister and the Sunnyslope County Water District.Â
The lowest bid received for the project was $23,736,000, while a bid at $26 million was the highest bid, Blohm said. The engineer’s estimate, which is an opinion of probable construction cost, was $23 million. Having the low bid within 2 percent of the engineer’s estimate is “well within the range” of reasonable costs, Blohm said, noting that the low bid firm is “reputable.”
The bid is expected to be awarded at a special San Benito County Water District board meeting on Aug. 12. If it is approved as expected, construction could begin “probably very early in September.
In other water news, Blohm said local water officials are still hoping for legislation at the state level to change new regulations regarding the allowable amount of Chromium-6 in drinking water. Assuming those restrictions remain the same, the county water district is preparing a plan outlining “the options that would be reasonable to reduce the levels of chromium so you’d be in compliance,” Blohm said.
To view the draft environmental impact report for the West Hills Water Treatment Plant, click here.