Update on Pump Stations Replacement Project

Here are new developments in SBSA’s plans to replace its antiquated pump stations:

            Three changes to the Conveyance System Master Plan are significant:

1.      Belmont and San Carlos’ flow will be pumped from a single new pump station, named Pump Station 3, that will be located adjacent to the existing San Carlos Pump Station site;

2.      A new 36-inch gravity pipeline will be installed to convey the flow from the existing Belmont Pump Station to Pump Station 3; and,

3.      The existing Belmont Pump Station will be demolished and the previously identified Segment 4 of the force main will not be built.

            The Redwood City Pump Station will be replaced with new Pump Station 2. The cost to replace the three pump stations (Redwood City, San Carlos, and Belmont) and add the new 36-inch diameter gravity line is currently estimated at $60 million.

            The next engineering steps in the Pump Station Replacement Project are to complete the pre-design and hire design engineers to prepare the final designs. Parallel activities are the environmental review required to comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and securing project funding. At this time it is assumed that the CEQA document for these projects will be an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). SBSA will seek California State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for these projects, so the environmental documentation and process will need to meet CEQA-Plus requirements.

            Upon finalization of environmental review, permits, and necessary agreements, design can then be completed, followed by construction. Pre-design for the pump station is scheduled to be completed this year and final design in 2014. Construction could begin in 2015. The new pump stations, when combined with the new force main, will be designed to reliably convey the wastewater from the member agencies to SBSA's wastewater treatment plant through the year 2040.

            The SBSA Commission, to move these tasks forward, recently approved contract task amendments with David J. Powers & Associates (DJP&A) and Valerie Young, who has been advising SBSA on CEQA and planning issues as a sole proprietor for more than 10 years. DJP&A will prepare the CEQA-plus environmental documents for Pump Stations 2 and 3, and 36-inch Gravity Line Project, and Valerie Young will continue to provide environmental review advising and oversight.