The rising nitrate levels in the Gold Country Water System (GCW) and the Star City Water System (SCW) from the septic system concentration in the Grass Valley area have been a concern since the early 1990s.
At the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Nov. 21—with all members present, a motion to approve an acquisition agreement with GCW was passed in a split-vote, with Commissioners Tom Hoss and Jesse Hill in opposition.
Humboldt County acquired SCW in 2019 and the acquisition of GCW plans include to consolidate the systems by drilling a new well for both systems to operate from. The combination would be a temporary solution to reduce nitrates and buy time for the County as they navigate construction of a wastewater treatment facility, according to officials.
An overview regarding an assessment done of GCW by Shaw Engineering was presented to the Board before they voted to approve the acquisition and Cody Black with Shaw Engineering said that the GCW system had been very well maintained.
“We can’t ignore this,” said Board Chairman, Jim French, and “we didn’t ask for nitrate poisoning in our water but we got it.”
The Commissioners also discussed a banking agreement and a purchasing agreement for water rights with GCW, but ultimately tabled those items until their next meeting on Dec. 6.
At the Commission’s special meeting on Aug. 29 regarding nitrate mitigation, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Administrative (EPA) Services Officer III, Jason Cooper, presented an overview concerning the Office of Financial Assistance, Bureau of
Administrative Services and the funding available to the County through the State Revolving Fund via web-call.
According to discussion at their latest meeting, the Commissioners still plan to utilize $1.85 million in funds secured through the State Revolving Fund in order to purchase GCW.
“I believe we have a health and safety responsibility to the people in Humboldt County,” said French.
The Commissioners also approved a motion to engage bond counsel that will aid in the financial aspect of the acquisition, such as the refinancing of debt that GCW has, that the County will also be acquiring.
Their motion, passed unanimously, to consolidate GCW and SCW and to use a Principal
Forgiveness Loan, that requires no repayment upon the closure of the loan, will help with associated costs of the acquisition, as will taking advantage of favorable interest rates provided by the State Revolving Fund.
The Commissioners must make a timely decision in order to secure funds from the State
Revolving Fund, per their discussion at their special meeting in Aug. and in order to protect taxpayers from associated costs.
Vicechair of the Commission, Ken Tipton said “I think this is the right time to go forward with this.”
The Commission also unanimously approved motions to direct Humboldt County Manager, Dave Mendiola, to engage different agencies to secure financing options, to compensate legal counsel, and to establish a fund regarding the conducting of business as a water system.
“We have reached a point where the County doesn’t have much of a choice,” said French.