III. System Description

The proposed project is located on the north side of State Route 44, southerly of Emmigrant Trail, east of the Caltrans Shingletown Rest Area, east of the community of Shingletown, in Shasta County. The proposed project includes 132 single-family residential lots on 357.7 acres. The first phase of the project consists of 91 acres with 35 developed lots, without homes. Sewer will be by individual septic systems, electric service will be provided by Pacific Gas and Electric underground, underground telephone will be provided by Frontier Utilities and gas, if requested would be by individual propane.

Del Oro received a Temporary Conditional Permit for a Small Community Public Water System from the Shasta County Department of Resource Management - Environmental Health Division on January 1, 2008.

A. Wells

Del Oro indicated that six wells have been installed at the site. Wells PW-1 through 4 were installed and tested as part of the CEQA evaluation and development of the subdivision. Wells PW-1 through 3 are currently being used as monitoring wells in order to gather information regarding the condition of the aquifer and the water quality of the supply.

Wells PW-5 and 6 have been installed and tested as part of the engineering for the water system. Del Oro intends for PW-5 to be used as the primary source, and PW-6 as the back-up source. Del Oro plans to plumb PW-4 with basic infrastructure, in case it is needed for future use.

Results from testing confirmed there is one primary confined aquifer beneath the site, at about 100 to 125 feet below the ground surface. The hydrogeological investigation concluded that the project wells have sufficient long-term yield to provide water needs and that there is sufficient ground water quantity to supply the 132 lot projects without adverse impacts. Laboratory testing of the ground water from the deeper aquifer shows that it is of excellent quality, with results for all constituents at a level lower than the established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). However, the same investigation found that if individual wells were to be situated on each lot, the same area would only be able to support 50-60 lots instead of 132 lots. The investigation also showed that the community wells could only support normal residential water use for 132 parcels, including landscaped areas around the residences, but not extensive irrigation for pastures, crops, livestock, etc.

B. Storage Tank

Del Oro notes that a storage tank will be located at the highest elevation of the development. This tank will be sized to provide maximum-day demand of 266,400 gallons and the minimum required fire flow of 500 gallons per minute (gpm) for two hours (60,000 gallons), which results in a total capacity of 326,400 gallons. The tank will be approximately 30 feet tall by 50 feet in diameter, and constructed of bolted steel. Associated equipment will include a locking maintenance ladder, outlet bungs, inspection port, vent, and other necessary accessories.

C. Distribution System

Water will be pumped from the wells to the storage tank, and from there distributed via six-inch I.D. C900 PVC distribution pipe. The pipe from the wells to the tank and from the tank to the homes will be located beneath the subdivision roads.

Adjoining the storage tank will be two pumps, which will provide 500 gpm of fire flow and 185 gpm of daily demand. In case of a power outage, these pumps, as well as a booster station, will be powered by a dedicated propane generator.

Due to changes in elevation at the development site, Del Oro estimates that the pound per square inch (psi) of water pressure will vary from 50 psi at the highest lots to 108 psi at the lower lots. Therefore, Del Oro notes that many residents will require pressure reducing valves to maintain a pressure level lower than 65 psi.

At its inception, this water utility will not be metered. Del Oro plans to begin meter installation in 2009, as future lot owners begin to request service.

D. Treatment

At this time, the only needed treatment anticipated by Del Oro is chlorination at the wellhead. Provisions for adding iron and/or manganese treatment in the future, if necessary, are included in the tank and pump station grading plan.

E. Service Life of System Components

According to the Technical Capacity Assessment Report, the proposed system is designed to accommodate the full build-out of the subdivision; with most components have a 20-50 year service life.⁴ The pumps and hydro-pneumatic tank, though, may require major service or replacement within 10 years.

⁴ Technical Capacity Assessment for the Technical-Managerial-Financial Report for the Mt. Lassen Woods New Community Public Water System Shingletown, California; prepared by Lawrence and Associates for R.H. Emmerson & Sons and Sierra Pacific Industries; dated October 4, 2007.