Heppner Subdivision Water System Improvement Project
BACKGROUND
 The Heppner Subdivision is a rural development of approximately 650 homes on one-acre lots located approximately ten miles north of Reno, Nevada. Development of these homes began in the late 1950s. More than 500 homes utilize individual domestic wells for water supply and septic tanks for wastewater disposal. The combination of a low-yield aquifer and increasing levels of nitrates in the groundwater (most likely from septic systems) has generated hardship on the homeowners. At least 150 individual wells have been deepened or re-drilled due to a declining water table. A number of wells are being re-drilled or deepened for the second time. Water quality sampling has shown that recharge from septic effluent is causing nitrate levels in the aquifer to increase. Water level monitoring over the past 20 years indicates water table declines and well failures are likely to continue. Washoe County has investigated ways to address the water quantity and quality problems that exist in the Heppner Subdivision. One solution is to expand the nearby municipal water system.
Washoe County has documented the steady decline of the water table in the area of the Heppner Subdivision. The County has investigated two alternatives to the problem, artificial recharge of the aquifer with Truckee River water and extending the service area of the Lemmon Valley water system. The County's choice is to extend the service area of the Lemmon Valley water system. This would correct the water quantity problem in the Heppner Subdivision and may help the water quality problem by adding dilution water to the aquifer. The proposed project will provide the homeowners with a safe and reliable water supply along with increased fire protection.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Washoe County applied for a grant under the AB-198 program to assist with the expansion of the Washoe County Municipal water system in North Lemon Valley, commonly known as the Heppner Subdivision. The grant was originally approved by the Board for Financing Water Projects (Board) on March 31, 2004, for $1,280,300 (70% of the total eligible project cost of $1,829,000).
 The scope of this project is to improve the existing Lemmon Valley Well #8, construct a 600,000 gallon water storage tank, install 3,000 feet of 6-inch booster main, install 2,100 feet of 10-inch transmission main, install 5,000 feet of 8-inch transmission main, install 9 fire hydrants, install 30 service connections, install a pressure reducing station, and install valves and fittings as required.
PROJECT STATUS
Work is progressing on the installation of the pipeline and tank. Heppner Waterline Extensions Phase 1-5a are complete. The County acquired the Grant of Right-of-Way for the new storage tank site from the BLM and is proceeding with the tank project - part of Phase 6. Eco:Logic provided Washoe County with a facility plan for Lemmon Valley that takes into account water from Fish Springs Ranch (Vidler pipeline). Water from that project will be supplied to the Lemmon Valley water system. In order to fill the new Heppner tank from the Fish Spring Ranch pipeline, a PRV was installed on Matterhorn Blvd and new transmission pipeline was installed along Oregon Blvd from Matterhorn Blvd to Ohio St. This additional PRV and pipeline was a change order to this grant and replaced the improvements to the existing Lemmon Valley Well #8.
|
