Most of the renovation work being proposed would happen at the Sacramento River Water Treatment Plant which was built in the early 1920s. Dan Sherry is a Supervising Engineer for the city's Utilities Department.
"If we actually lost production capacity at the Sacramento plant during the summer months when we have our highest demands, it would be catastrophic..."
…leading to widespread water rationing and limited fire
protection.
The $171 million project also includes renovating the
Fairbairn Water Treatment plant which takes in American River water
in East Sacramento. Both sites will get new structures and
mechanical equipment.
Money for the project comes from city issued revenue
bonds...which will be repaid by people who live in the city in the
form of higher water and sewer bills.
"The council approved a three year rate increase of 10%
per year. A portion of that rate increase will pay for the debt
service."
If the project moves forward, construction would be finished
in June of 2016.