Project Description City of Ukiah

Recycled Water Project

1.1 Proposed Project/Action Description
The purpose of the Proposed Project is to replace/augment existing water supplies in Ukiah Valley.
Recycled water use within the Ukiah Valley would offset existing and future water demands for irrigation
and frost protection of agricultural land, and in doing so, would support the local agricultural industry. It
would also offset urban irrigation demands, ease storage limitations at the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment
Plant (UWWTP), and reduce treated wastewater discharges to the Russian River.
The Proposed Project was developed through an extensive engineering and feasibility study process,
culminating in a recommended or preferred alternative. The basis for the Proposed Project for this report
and environmental analysis is identified as the Preferred Alternative in Chapter 7 of the Citys February
2012 Recycled Water Master Plan. As shown in Figure 2 below, the Proposed Project/Action would
consist of 9.4 -miles of recycled water pipeline ranging in size from of 8- to 16-inch to provide recycled
water from the Citys existing Ukiah WWTP to approximately 990 acres of agricultural and urban
landscape irrigation lands within the Ukiah Valley. Specifically, a total of 44 parcels covering 703 acres
would be supplied with 1,234 AFY of recycled water for irrigation purposes. In addition, about 284 acres
would be supplied with 142 AFY of recycled water for frost protection. Table 1 provides a summary of
the key parameters of the overall Proposed Project/Action. What follows is a discussion of the major
features of the Proposed Project/Action.
Table 1: Proposed Project/Action Parameters
Parameter

Number of
Units

Irrigation Demand (AFY)

1,234

Irrigated area Served (Acres)

703

Parcels Provided irrigation (Number)

44

Frost Protection Demand (AFY)

142

Frost Protected land (Acres)

284

Parcels Provided Frost Protection (Acres)

17

Pipeline Length (Miles)

9.4

Pipeline Diameter (Inches)

8-16

Pump Station

1.1.1 Potential Users and Phasing

There are two categories of potential users, agricultural and landscape irrigation. The Proposed
Project/Action will be developed in four phases. Figure 3 provides a summary of the recommended
phasing for the implementation of the Proposed Project/Action. Table 2 provides a summary of the
estimated annual demand for recycled water by phase as well as by irrigation and frost protection.

March 2013

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Legend

Proposed Pipeline

WWTP Ponds and Buildings

River

DIAMETER

Agricultural Parcels

Local Streets

12" and larger

8" and smaller

CEQA-Fig_2-Proposed_Project_or_Action.mxd

Landscape Parcels

Major Roads

Figure 2
PROPOSED PROJECT/ACTION
CITY OF UKIAH
RECYCLED WATER PROJECT
INITIAL STUDY/
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

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Miles
Legend

Pipelines Potential Parcels

by Phase
1
2
3
4

by Phase
1
2
3

WWTP Ponds and Buildings

River

Major Roads

Local Streets

CEQA-Fig_3-Recommended_Phasing_of_the_Proposed_Project_or_Action.mxd

Figure 3
PHASING OF PROPOSED PROJECT/ACTION
CITY OF UKIAH
RECYCLED WATER PROJECT
INITIAL STUDY/
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

Table 2: Annual Recycled Water Demand Summary

Estimated Recycled Water Demand (AFY)
Irrigation
Phase

Agricultural

Urban
Landscape

Frost
Protection

Total by
Phase

Cumulative
Total

309.2

0.0

94.6

403.8

403.8

210.4

0.0

4.8

215.1

618.9

311.8

22.2

42.3

376.3

995.2

0.0

380.6

0.0

380.6

1,375.8

Total

831.4

402.8

141.7

1,375.8

1.1.2 Pipeline Facilities

As mentioned above and shown on Figures 2 and 3, the proposed recycled water system includes 9.4
miles of recycled water pipelines ranging between 8 and 16-inches in diameter. The recycled water would
be pumped from the existing UWWTP to those landowners with storage, and would also be available up
to the UWWTP and pump station capacity to those landowners without storage facilities. The pipeline
will be constructed in paved streets and in existing agricultural service roads.
The first phase is
anticipated to be entirely within the Ukiah WWTP and along agricultural and would not be along paved
roads. Phases 2 and 3 would be along both agricultural easements where possible, or along paved roads,
primarily River Road, Babcock Lane, and Hastings Frontage Road. Pipelines installed as a part of Phase 4
would be along paved streets, and are routed to enter the urban area from the east to minimize the total
length of pipeline along paved streets. The pipeline route would cross six ephemeral streams and/or
drainages that lead to the Russian River.

1.1.3 Pump Station

A single pump station is included in the alignment shown in Figure 2 at the Ukiah WWTP. Initially, it is
planned that two (2) 100 horsepower electric pump units will be installed in the pump station, with spare
bays for an additional two (2) 100 horsepower electric pump units, which would be installed in Phase 2.
Phase 3 and 4 are not anticipated to require any additional pump units, since the demands for frost
protection are significantly higher than what would be required for urban landscape irrigation.
1.1.4 Storage Facilities
As also shown on Figure 2, the Proposed Project/Action also includes the construction and operation of a
new single tertiary treated recycled water storage pond at the wastewater treatment plant sized at a
capacity of approximately 1.6 MG and encompassing approximately 5 acres. The storage pond at the
wastewater treatment plant will accommodate the variation in potential customer demand patterns and
also serve as an equalization basin to buffer the potential variation in effluent flow at the WWTP. In
addition this storage pond, individual farmers will either use their existing storage ponds and/or develop
additional storage ponds on their own. These specific farmer activities are not included in the Proposed
Project/Action.

March 2013

Table 3: Proposed Pipeline Facilities

Phase

Type of Alignment

Diameter
(inches)

Length
(feet)

Length
(miles)

Construction
Schedule

Ukiah WWTP Site Piping

16

1,300

0.25

2013 - 2014

Agricultural Land Service Roads

12

5,600

1.06

2013 - 2014

6,900

1.31

2013 - 2014

Phase 1 Subtotal
2

Paved Public Street

16

5,600

1.06

2019 - 2020

Agricultural Land Service Roads

16

4,200

0.80

2019 - 2020

9,800

1.86

2019 - 2020

Phase 2 Subtotal
3

Agricultural Land Service Roads

16

9,000

1.70

2025 - 2026

Paved Public Street

16

4,000

0.76

2025 - 2026

Agricultural Land Service Roads

12

400

0.08

2025 - 2026

Paved Public Street

1,000

0.19

2025 - 2026

14,400

2.73

2025 - 2026

Phase 3 Subtotal
4

Paved Public Street

12

4,700

0.89

2031 - 2032

Paved Public Street

13,800

2.61

2031 - 2032

Phase 4 Subtotal

18,500

3.50

2031 - 2032

Proposed Project/Action Total

49,600

9.40

2013 - 2032

Note:
1). Laterals to individual agricultural parcels are assumed to be the responsibility of the farmer or landowner and are not
included in the lengths presented here.

1.2 Construction Considerations

As shown in Table 3 above, construction of the Proposed Project/Action is expected to begin in the
summer of 2013 and continue over approximately a 20 year period as each of the four phases are planned
to be developed in five (5) year increments beginning in 2013. Construction work will typically be done
within normal working hours, weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and possibly on
Saturdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Proposed Project/Action would be constructed
primarily within existing paved and unpaved roadways and any damages occurring during construction
will be returned to the pre-construction condition or better. Detailed below is a summary of the
construction techniques and activities.

The majority of the pipelines would be installed using conventional cut and cover construction
techniques and installing pipe in open trenches. It is assumed that up to a 50 foot wide
construction corridor would be used to help maximize the efficiency during construction.
However, in most places a 25 foot construction corridor could be realized, especially for the
smaller diameter pipelines. It is anticipated that excavation would typically be no more than 3-5
feet wide and 3-6 feet deep.

The Proposed Project/Action would also require crossing six small ephemeral creeks and/or
drainages that flow to the Russian River. Each of the crossings will be done using trenchless

March 2013

construction techniques1 and will be done in the dry season and will not occur during rainy
weather and during the months between October 15 and through April 1.

Dewatering of the pipeline as a result of hydrostatic testing during construction as well as any
dewatering as a result of operations and maintenance activities shall be discharged to land and not
into any creeks, drainages, or waterways and shall require prior approval from the North Coast
Regional Water Quality Control Board (North Coast RWQCB).

Construction activities for this kind of project will typically occur with periodic activity peaks, requiring
brief periods of significant effort followed by longer periods of reduced activities. In order to characterize
and analyze potential construction impacts, the City has assumed that each phase of the project would be
constructed by two (2) crews of 10-15 workers each and would proceed at a rate of approximately 5001,000 feet per day. However, specific details may change or vary slightly. Staging areas for storage of
pipe, construction equipment, and other materials would be placed at locations that would minimize
hauling distances and long-term disruption.
Excavation and grading activities would be necessary for construction of the Proposed Project/Action.
Excavated materials resulting from site preparation would either be used on-site during construction or
disposed of at a fill area authorized by the City. It is not anticipated that any soils would be imported for
this project. Additional truck trips would be necessary to deliver materials, equipment, and asphaltconcrete to the site. During peak excavation and earthwork activities, the Proposed Project/Action could
generate up to 40 round-trip truck trips per day. In support of these activities and for the assumptions for
this document, the types of equipment that may be used at any one time during construction may include,
but not limited to:

Track-mounted excavator

Backhoe

Grader

Crane

Dozer

Compactor

Trencher/boring machine

End and bottom dump truck

Front-end loader

Water truck

Flat-bed delivery truck

Forklift

Trenchless technology is a type of subsurface construction work that requires few trenches or no continuous trenches. It is a rapidly growing
sector of the construction and civil engineering industry. Trenchless technology can be defined as "a family of methods, materials, and equipment
capable of being used for the installation of new or replacement or rehabilitation of existing underground infrastructure with minimal disruption
to surface traffic, business, and other activities. Trenchless construction includes such construction methods as tunneling, microtunneling (MTM), horizontal directional drilling (HDD) also known as directional boring, pipe ramming (PR), pipe Jacking (PJ), moling,
horizontal auger boring (HAB) and other methods for the installation of pipelines and cables below the ground with minimal excavation. Large
diameter tunnels such as those constructed by a tunnel boring machine (TBM), and drilling and blasting techniques are larger versions of
subsurface construction. The difference between trenchless and other subsurface construction techniques depends upon the size of the passage
under construction. Trenchless construction requires considering soil characteristics and the loads applied to the surface. In cases where the soil is
sandy, the water table is at shallow depth, or heavy loads like that of urban traffic are expected, the depth of excavation has to be at a depth such
that the pressure of the load on the surface does not affect the bore, otherwise there is danger of surface caving in.

March 2013

Compressor/jack hammer

Asphalt paver & roller

Street sweeper

It is recognized that details of the construction activities and methods may change slightly as the specific
details will be developed during final design and by the selected contractor. However, this description
provides sufficient information to base the conclusions to probable environmental impacts associated with
construction activities for this kind of project. Therefore, as long as the construction methods are
generally consistent with these methods and do not conflict with any of the Citys design standards or
established ordinances, and does not create any new potential environmental impacts that are not
described within this document, then no new environmental analyses will likely be required for any minor
change in construction activities, timing, and/or schedule.

1.3 Compliance with CCR Title 22 and State Boards Recycled Water
Policy
The Proposed Project/Action will be designed and operated in accordance with the applicable
requirements of California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22 and any other state or local legislation
that is currently effective or may become effective as it pertains to recycled water. The State Board
adopted a Recycled Water Policy (RW Policy) in 2009 to establish more uniform requirements for water
recycling throughout the State and to streamline the permit application process in most instances. As part
of that process, the State Board prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the use
of recycled water. That document and the environmental analyses contained within are incorporated by
reference for this document and Proposed Project/Action. The newly adopted RW Policy includes a
mandate that the State increase the use of recycled water over 2002 levels by at least 1,000,000 AFY by
2020 and by at least 2,000,000 AFY by 2030. Also included are goals for storm water reuse, conservation
and potable water offsets by recycled water. The onus for achieving these mandates and goals is placed
both on recycled water purveyors and potential users. The State Board has designated the Regional Water
Quality Control Boards as the regulating entity for the Recycled Water Policy. In this case, the North
Coast RWQCB is responsible for permitting recycled water projects throughout the North Coast Area and
including Mendocino County.
The Proposed Project/Action will be provided high quality unrestricted use tertiary treated recycled water
from UWWTP and made available to users within the Ukiah Valley. All irrigation systems will be
operated in accordance with the requirements of Title 22 of the CCR, the State Board Recycled Water
Policy, and any other local legislation that is effective or may become effective as it pertains to recycled
water and any reclamation permits issued by the North Coast RWQCB. Recycled water permits typically
require the following:

Irrigation rates will match the agronomic rates of the plants being irrigated;

Control of incidental runoff through the proper design of irrigation facilities;

Implementation of a leak detection program to correct problems within 72 hours or prior to the
release of 1,000 gallons whichever occurs first;

Management of ponds containing recycled water to ensure no discharges; and

Irrigation will not occur within 50 feet of any domestic supply wells, unless certain conditions
have been met as defined in Title 22.

March 2013

1.4 Operational Plans

The City will enforce an irrigation schedule among its users. The irrigation schedule is assumed as
follows:
Agricultural Irrigation: 6 AM to 6 PM
Landscape Irrigation: 6 PM to 5 AM
Frost Protection Irrigation: Only as required
By irrigating using the above scheduling, peak flows are reduced and pipe sizing is optimized.

1.5 Responsible Agencies, Permits and Approvals

Table 4 below summarizes the potential permits and/or approvals that may be required prior to
construction of the Proposed Project/Action. Additional local approvals and permits may also be required.
Table 4: Regulatory Requirements, Permits, and Authorizations for Project/Action Facilities
Agency

Type of Approval

Nationwide Permit #12 for Construction

Activities (or) Section 404 (Wetlands)
Permit

Coordination with Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) for permitting of new
wastewater storage pond

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

System General Permit for Stormwater
Discharge Associated with Construction
Activities

Recycled Water Use Permit

California Division of Occupational Safety and

Health

Construction activities in compliance with

CAL/OSHA safety requirements

California Department of Fish and Game

Streambed Alteration Agreements

Ukiah Municipal Airport Operations

Permitting of new wastewater storage pond

Mendocino County Air Quality Management

District (BAAQMD)

Authority to Construct

Permit to Operate

County of Mendocino

Encroachment Permit County Roads

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control

Board

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

March 2013

1.6 No Project/Action Alternative

Under the No Project/Action Alternative, the Citys Proposed Project/Action would not be
constructed. For this analysis, it is assumed that the existing baseline condition and the future No
Project/Action condition are the same. That is, the No Project/Action Alternative assumes that
none of the Proposed Project/Action facilities would be constructed. Individual farmers may
implement and or construct their own water supply or frost protection facilities, but these would
be speculative at best and therefore are not considered further as part of this analysis. As a result,
the impact description and summary compares the Proposed Project/Action to the existing
conditions now and into the future assuming that the City would not construct any facilities to
meet the objectives of the Proposed Project/Action. Again, the No Project/Action which assumes
that none of the proposed facilities will be constructed now or in the future.

March 2013