PASO ROBLES, CA, October 30, 2019 – Today the City of Paso Robles celebrated completion of one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects in the City’s history, new Tertiary Treatment Facilities at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The City hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour. Many City officials, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, and other interested persons attended the event.
City staff thanked those who contributed to the project, including engineering firm Black & Veatch, construction manager Steve Wrightson, SWCA Environmental, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, Cushman Contracting Corporation, and City treatment plant staff.
The City’s Project Manager Matt Thompson said, “Paso Robles has a long history of determined people working together to meet important needs. I’m proud to be a part of another example of that. We are thankful for what previous generations have contributed to this community. Our children will someday be thankful for what we have accomplished here.”
The City has a master plan to produce high quality recycled water and distribute it to east Paso Robles, where it may be safely used for irrigation of City parks, golf courses, and vineyards. This will reduce the need to pump groundwater from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin and further improve sustainability of the City's water supply. The Tertiary Treatment Facilities project fulfills the first part of this master plan.
The Tertiary Treatment Facilities project included flow equalization, cloth filtration, ultraviolet light disinfection, a recycled water storage pond and pump station, and a state-of-the-art nutrient harvesting system (see figure below). The City completed the project for $14.4 million, which is $2.8 million under budget. The City financed the project through the State’s low interest revolving fund loan program. Due to the project’s many environmentally innovative features, the State financing included a $4 million grant.
The second part of the recycled water master plan is a major pipeline project called the Recycled Water Distribution System. That project is currently in design and will be ready for construction in 2020.
Questions and interview requests can be directed to Matt Thompson at mthompson@prcity.com or 805.227.7200 ext. 7716.
Photo: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Tertiary Treatment Facilities at Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Plant, October 30, 2019. Mayor Steve Martin cuts the ribbon, accompanied by Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham and many others who contributed to completing the project. Those pictured from left to right are Nick Kamp, Casey Shepherd, Kaitie Zusy, Kevin Reel, Ashu Shirolkar, Casey Coelho, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, Steve Wrightson, Mayor Steve Martin, Devin Light, Matt Thompson, Nick Ferguson, Ernie Valenzuela, Vince Gaita, Mark Scandalis, Jon Claxton, Keith Schwanemann, and Leroy Laurie.