The Calfkiller Waterline Project reaching a stalemate after Monterey officials learned that land acquisition challenges are preventing the installation of a necessary water pumping station.
Engineer James Hailey said the project requires a booster station to move water up a steep grade toward Monterey, but the county has been unable to acquire the specific property needed for the facility. Haley said the lack of a site has forced a re-evaluation of the entire pumping strategy for the northern end of the line.
“My initial inclination would be to say, hey, if we can get it to a point that the county can work out being able to get this piece of property where they originally had it,” Hailey said, “That’s great, if you’re not able to, try look at something where you only own and maintain one pump station.”
Hailey said the $4.4 million project is a partnership between Monterey and the county using American Rescue Plan Act funding. The line is designed to provide water to residents along Calfkiller Highway who previously lacked service.
“Each of these stations is probably gonna cost around a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and then that’ll hit your books after the project is given over to you to depreciate on your books,” Hailey said. “I know that the people who are on the Water and Sewer Committee know what depreciation means to the water and sewer fund.”
Hailey said the current design uses pressure-reducing valves to move water down Mill Creek Road, but moving water back up the grade toward Bethel Church requires mechanical assistance. Hailey said putting in a single station at the bottom would over-pressurize the pipes, leading to maintenance problems for the utility.
“With that depreciation and those costs that are gonna be associated with that additional station, you’re never gonna make up the cost,” Hailey said.
Hailey said about $3.8 million of the project budget has already been spent or drawn. Hailey said 31 customers have signed up for the new service, which is a higher number than officials originally anticipated.
“We’ve been working for a little over two years now to be able to provide water to areas along Calfkiller Highway that did not previously have it,” Hailey said.
Hailey said the next steps for the functional portions of the line include disinfection and final customer taps.
