The city’s Water System Master Plan (WMP) is meant to identify and correct weaknesses to meet the current and future water needs of the city.
In 2007, the Winters City Council approved the city’s WMP. A lot has happened since then — historic drought, lower well water depths, housing development and effects from climate change.
The city realized it was time to update the 14-year-old plan to reflect current needs and future infrastructure requirements more accurately.
Resolution 2022-37 was unanimously approved at the April 19 Winters City Council meeting, awarding a $178,618 personal services agreement to Woodard & Curran, Inc. to update the WMP and prepare a drought contingency plan.
Woodard & Curran is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in water and environmental projects.
City Manager Kathleen Salguera Trepa introduced the item and told council the three primary goals that the update is exptected to achieve: Capacity evaluation to ensure the city has adequate water capacity and water needs. A video camera each of the wells to better understand their condition to plan for rehabbing and well repair. Undertake a drought risk assessment and water shortage contingency plan should drought conditions continue and conservations steps need to be developed.
Prior to council receiving the resolution, the Winters Natural Resources Commission reviewed and recommended council’s approval for the proposal.
Trepa said this project was not budgeted in the fiscal year 2022-23 operating budget, and thus, would require council appropriation of $178,618.
