North Davis Meadows Water Consolidation Project

Project Background

For several years, we have been working on a way to address significant water quality issues in North Davis Meadows (NDM). The current NDM water system has two ground water wells that have nitrate, aluminum, and iron above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Compliance Order No.12-09 was issued in 2009 from the Yolo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division for noncompliance with the nitrate MCL. In 2016, the Yolo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issued Compliance Order No. CC0001261 for violation of Nitrate, Aluminum, and Iron MCLs.

In June of 2015, a survey of residents showed strong support for a water system consolidation project with the City of Davis, which would connect indoor uses to the City’s system while maintaining irrigation and fire flow uses on the community’s well system. Proposition 218 proceedings were conducted in May of 2016 and rates were ultimately raised to pay for design of the project. The engineering work commenced in December of 2016.

As with many projects of this nature, circumstances changed since the design was initiated and new information compelled us to re-evaluate the path we were on and consider alternatives. Most notably, the City of Davis Fire Chief had a strong recommendation that water for fire protection come from the City of Davis water system. In addition we had new information related to costs to maintain/upgrade the wells. Finally, the City of Davis water usage rate structure had been revised to reduce rates below those considered in the past.

Water use in NDM consists of indoor use, landscape irrigation and fire protection. The three paths (scenarios) considered were: 1) staying the course; 2) connecting all three water uses to the City; or 3) connecting indoor and fire protection uses to the City system. The pros and cons, rough estimates of costs and benefits to all three scenarios can be found here: Water Project Options (updated 09/25/17) along with related Frequently Asked Questions (02/27/18).

Water Options Survey (June 2015) / Water Options Survey Results (06/2015)

In late September-early October 2017, the community was surveyed on their new desired path. The survey was completed by a majority of households in the community with the majority of respondents favoring Scenario 2 – connecting to the City of Davis for all water uses. Results of that survey can be found here: Water Project Survey Results 10-11-17.

In 2018, the County of Yolo applied for construction financing through the State Water Resources Control Board’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to consolidate the NDM County Service Area water demands into the City of Davis municipal water system. The additional engineering that was required to connect to the City of Davis for all water uses was completed and best estimates on all costs of the project were considered in determining increases to NDM residents' water fee in order to repay a State Revolving Fund loan (see above). However, the financing process was delayed due to NDM residents challenging the Prop 218 rate increase to afford the DWSRF loan for this project. The Prop 218 process increased the annual water rate bill for each NDM resident from $2,129 to $6,021 per year; this additional fee is expected to last until the project is completed and billing is finalized and submitted to the State. NDM residents challenged the Prop 218 increase by filing a Petition for Writ of Mandate on October 4, 2018. The Superior Court entered judgment denying the residents’ petition on February 18, 2020, and the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment in a published opinion on August 30, 2021. See Wolstoncroft v. County of Yolo, 68 Cal. App. 5th 327 (2021). As a result, the County of Yolo resumed discussion about proceeding with the DWSRF application in summer 2021 and successfully secured grant funding of approximately $7.6 million.

The project went out to bid during Spring 2024. The County received a total of five bids, with Soracco, Inc. providing the lowest responsive and responsible bid t approximately $3.6 million. The Board of Supervisors approved award of the construction contract to Soracco, Inc. on August 27, 2024, and the County issued the Notice to Proceed on September 30, 2024. Construction is anticipated to begin in October 2024 and last through Summer 2025.

Timeline

Construction on the NDM Water Consolidation Project is anticipated to begin in October 2024 and is anticipated to finish in Summer 2025. As with all construction projects, delays are sometimes unavoidable. Below is the anticipated construction schedule:

Late October 2024	Mobilization
November – December 2024	John Jones Road Waterline
December – January 2025	Golf Course Waterlines
January – April 2025	Residential Streets Waterlines
January 2025	Disconnect from Wells
January 2025	Residential Services Conversion
February – April 2025	Residential Services and Meters
April – May 2025	Construction Closeout

Project Updates

Water Project Updates

City of Davis

Final Water System Consolidation Project Plans, Specifications & Estimates

NDM Water Project Plans 12-06-18 (Pending Updated Plans)
NDM Water Project Technical Specifications 12-06-18 (Pending Updated Specs)
NDM Water Project Cost Estimate (12-03-21)
NDM Source Integration Study (4-13-22)
Updated Hydraulic Modeling (4-18-22)
Potable Water Connection Project Initial Study/Negative Declaration (11/23/15)
Addendum to Initial Study/Negative Declaration (03/20/18)

Water Quality Information

Water Quality Data

Water Quality Data related to Nitrate, Iron, Aluminum (Updated 05/13/23)

Public Notifications Concerning Water Quality

Nitrate Public Notification (03/17/23)

Iron & Aluminum Public Notification (05/09/23)

Compliance Order for North Davis Meadows Community Water System (10/28/16)

CSA Response (01/25/21)

CSA Response (01/31/19)

CSA Response (12/12/17)

CSA Response (11/07/16)

Consumer Confidence Reports

Well Information

NDM 2 Well Video Report Following May 22, 2018 Failure
Presentation from May 3, 2018 Community Conversation (05/04/18)
Notes summarizing May 3 conversation (05/18/18)
Wood Rodgers Groundwater and Well Assessments (03/02/10)
Wood Rodgers System Improvement Recommendations (12/16/10)
Wood Rodgers Well Replacement Technical Memorandum/Engineers Report (03/05/12)
City Memo re North Davis Meadows Wells (05/26/15)
Exploratory Well Process
Below are the water quality reports the City of Davis and UC Davis submit to the State for compliance reporting purposes of those closest to NDM:
- Historical data for Wells 30 and 31 (closest deep wells to NDM). 30 was off line for a number of years due to high manganese levels but is back in service now (levels dropped back below MCL of 50).
- UC Davis Well 7A. Drilled in 1995, ~850 feet deep with several screen intervals between 740 and 842 feet. Location map view documentation. Water quality results.
- Irrigation Well Permit Process

September 25, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting: Select subject of Agenda Item No. 28 to review staff report and attachments; select green video icon for presentation, public comment and Board deliberation.

Proposition 218 Information

Historic Project Information

Fire Hydrant Testing Results (explanation of fire flow calculations)
Pipe Alignment Map (note: 20-25% of existing pipe will be replaced/upsized)
Community Water Usage

Litigation Documents

Correspondence with Community

February 21, 2019 Operating Deficit, Water Connection Project & Impact of Litigation - letter sent to community
January 11, 2019 Water Connection Project Update - letter sent to community
November 26, 2018 Water Connection Project Update - letter sent to community
October 9, 2018 Water Connection Project Update - letter sent to community

Resolution authorizing the County Chief Financial Officer to Terminate Impound of North Davis Meadows Water Consolidation Project Revenues (02/23/2021 Board of Supervisors Meeting)

Resolution placing CSA water fees dedicated to Water Connection Project into impound until resolution of litigation (04/23/19 Board of Supervisors Meeting)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is the NDM Water Consolidation project?

The proposed project is an extension of the City of Davis water distribution system to serve NDM domestic, irrigation¹, and fire flow water demands. The Project will extend the City of Davis distribution system by installing approximately 7,000 linear ft. of 14” pipeline, 2,000 linear ft. of 12” pipeline, and 1,500 linear ft. of 8” pipeline. A majority of the NDM distribution system will remain in use; however, some portions of the NDM distribution system are included for replacement to account for required fire flow volumes. The project consists of the installation of meters on all service connections and the abandonment of both groundwater wells² and storage tanks within NDM for potable water use. NDM will cease to exist as a public water system upon completion of the project, and all service connections will be customers of the City of Davis.

2. Does the project use new pipes or existing pipes?

The project will use both brand-new pipes and existing pipes.

3. What is the timeline for completion of the project?

The project is estimated to start in October 2024, and the target completion is Summer 2025. As with any construction project, delays are to be expected, and the timeline is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, supply chain issues, or adverse weather conditions.

4. Will water meters be installed, and if so, when?

Water meters will be installed on all service connections (residences) during the second half of the construction period.

5. Will driveways be affected? If so, will the grant cover the costs associated with this work, or are they the residents’ responsibility?

The County has identified approximately 14 properties with water valves under driveways. The new water service to these properties will incorporate an above-ground backflow device, which cannot be placed in the driveway. The contractor and the construction manager will meet with affected property owners to discuss and devise a plan to relocate the backflow device outside the driveway. The contractor and construction manager will contact these property owners to schedule a meeting.

According to the State Water Board funding agreement, the grant will pay for minor restoration within a driveway’s excavated zone. Property owners will be responsible for the remainder of the costs.

6. Will backyards be affected? If so, will the grant cover the costs associated with this work, or are they the residents’ responsibility?

Backyards will not be affected by the construction project.

7. Will the water be shut off at any point? If so, will residents receive notification when shut-offs will occur?

Yes, the water will be shut off at certain times during construction, and the contractor will notify affected properties in advance.

8. Do residents need to be present during the construction work?

Residents are not required to be present during the construction work, and the contractor will provide advanced notification otherwise.

9. Who are the companies and agencies involved with construction?

Soracco, Inc. is the contractor, and TRC is the construction management company. Both will be under contract with the County of Yolo. The County will provide project management and periodic inspections. City of Davis staff will coordinate and perform periodic inspections as well, as the City will ultimately take over the operation and maintenance of the new water system within NDM.

10. What is the construction contract amount, and what was the engineer’s estimate? The construction contract amount is $3,661,005. The engineer’s estimate was $4,690,070.

11. Other than Soracco’s bid, what other bids were received?

The County received a total of five bids:

$3,661,005 Soracco
$4,678,910 ARB
$5,094,260 Argonaut
$5,749,250 Teichert
$7,119,435 McGuire Hester

12. Why was Soracco selected over other companies that submitted a bid?

In construction contracts, the County is legally obligated to award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Here, this was Soracco. The County reviewed all bids to ensure they contained the required licenses and forms needed for the bid (i.e., that the contractor’s bid was responsive), which Soracco’s bid satisfied. In addition, the County did a reference check on Soracco, and all references came back positive, including comments that the company could meet contractual obligations under a low budget. Our consulting engineers checked in with Soracco, and Soracco stood by its cost, so Soracco also satisfies the responsible bidder requirement. Moreover, Soracco has provided a performance bond (to protect the County from financial loss) and a payment bond (to ensure Soracco will pay for its materials and labor), as required by law and the contract documents, in the total amount of the contract price ($3,661,005) so Soracco will be legally bound to perform in compliance with its contract.

As with any construction project, we might encounter unexpected issues, increases in cost, or other unforeseen circumstances; we can address those as they arise. No protests came in against Soracco from any other bidder. West Yost and the City of Davis have seen the bid tabulations. The County also has contracted with Ponticello Consulting Engineers and TRC, the construction management company, that will oversee the project.

13. How much will the project cost in total, and will the grant cover all project costs?

The budget submitted to the State estimates project costs to be approximately $7.4 million. The grant received from the State is $7.6 million. Project costs incurred before July 2021 are not eligible for grant funding. The CSA water fund will pay these costs, and the grant will cover the remaining project costs.³

14. What will happen to water billing after the connection project is completed?

After water meters are installed and connected to the City of Davis water supply, water billing will convert from the current flat rate system to metered billing. The City of Davis will send water bills to all residents.

15. When will the $4,157 water loan repayment charge be discontinued? The charge will appear on the FY 2024-25 property tax roll for the NDM community. It will be discontinued after the water consolidation project is completed and after the billing on the project is finalized and submitted to the State.

¹Please note that NDM residents have inquired about the possibility of using the existing NDM1 and NDM2 wells for irrigation (the “Irrigation Project”) after the completion of the City of Davis connection project. While the Irrigation Project may be feasible, it would be costly and requires further analysis from the community and County staff. It is uncertain at this time if or when the Irrigation Project would be completed. At least initially, the community would likely receive irrigation water from the City of Davis.

² Decommissioning of the NDM1 and NDM2 wells was included in the cost proposal and bid package. If the Irrigation Project moves forward, the wells would need to be put back into production, incurring additional costs.

³The grant will not pay for any costs associated with the Irrigation Project.