Times: Hercules, Pinole consider regional approach to wastewater treatment

— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 14 December 2009 — Comments Off

Tom Lochner reports that a new idea had emerged at the latest Pinole-Hercules wastewater meeting, “that Pinole and Hercules might take the lead in some kind of regional approach to sewage treatment, to include Rodeo and Crockett and the West County district.”

As I have written previously, Pinole’s stubborn and shortsighted decision to upgrade the plant is solely based on economics today, not long-term planning or what is best for the shoreline or Pinole’s neighbors (including Hercules).

The Times reports: “An environmental impact report commissioned by both cities that is in progress envisions upgrades to the plant that would cost about $41 million to be split equally between the two cities. Hercules is simultaneously looking into an arrangement with West County Wastewater; such a deal would cost Hercules either about $59 million or $73 million, according to different estimates. Pinole still would need to make some upgrades, albeit less extensive ones, to the existing plant by itself.”

The cost for Hercules to move to West County may be even lower however, potentially as low as $45m, according to City officials. The cost is key, since there is a certain undefined amount that flips the cost vs. value metric, and at that price — whatever it is — Pinole may be forced to bargain-hunt and join Hercules (and possibly Rodeo and Crockett, as reported) and make the switch. And then clean-up and restore the existing plant and the adjacent underutilized municipal yard for valuable re-use.