FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The contract was signed back in November. Why are you still trying to stop the plant?

Many citizens have spent months investigating, researching, talking to experts and contacting government entities. The results of the investigations have concluded that a 1.8 MGD plant should not cost $43 - $57 million. There is a “rule of thumb” of $10-$20/gallon treated for capital costs. So, roughly our plant should cost $18,000,000 to $36,000,000!

Cle Elum, Washington 3.6 MGD plant = $ 14,000,000 (2005)

2. Is Vertreat an “illogical” process? We have heard that it can’t be permitted, that it can’t treat our water to Title 22 specs.

Everything you have heard about Vertreat is untrue. Please visit the alternatives page to read more

Here are comments from Jeff Guild of Noram Engineering.

Not unlike Santa Paula, we expect that Fillmore realize a number of benefits if Vertreat were considered for the impending plant upgrade. The Vertreat system, a third-generation deep-shaft technology, takes a conventional biological treatment plant underground into a vertical steel-lined concrete shaft. The advantages are compelling:

Small Footprint
The plant uses a fraction of the space required by conventional activated sludge systems, and MBR plants (especially those requiring significant tankage for flow equalization).

Exceptional Water Quality
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of 15/15 or better are routinely achievable. With the addition of filtration technology(sand media) to our system, we can achieve reuse quality effluent (< 5 mg/L BOD, < 5 mg/L TSS, < 8 mg/L TN).

Hazard Mitigation
In the event of an earthquake, the in-ground reactor provides optimal resistance to spillage or rupture by moving with the ground, largely eliminating any torsional moments experienced by above-ground structures.

Energy Efficiency
Biological wastewater plants rely on bacteria to treat the wastewater. The bacteria thrives on oxygen, circulated by aerating the water with compressors. In the case of the shaft reactor, oxygen transfer is so efficient (65-70%, as compared with roughly 10-15% in conventional treatment) that the energy requirements of the plant as a whole drop by 50%.

Reduced Emissions and Odours
Because less air is required for aeration, the volume of gas emanating from the treatment works is dramatically reduced, allowing capture and treatment. Indeed, so unobtrusive is the technology that these plants have been built into the basement of a hotel (Japan), or indoors (City of Homer, Alaska).

Reduced Capital and Operating Costs
Quite apart from the savings in land requirements, the installed costs of a Vertreat plant are substantially less than a conventional plant. The main cost hinges on the shaft, which is readily drilled and encased in almost any terrain using standard shaft drilling techniques.

3. Isn’t it impossible to get out of our American Water contract?

No, there are currently three mechanisms to get out of the contract.
lawsuit
referendum
lack of funding
Outright cancellation by the City Council (this will trigger a $650,000 escape clause – but is worth it to save millions!)

4. Won’t we have to start over with an RFQ and RFP which will take a couple more years to get back to where we are today?

No. The City has used Government Code 5956 to use the Design/Build/Operate process in order to bypass competitive bidding. Within that code is an option to enter into negotiations with a vendor that brings you a project. After selection, the City has 60 days for a validation hearing.

5956.5. “Projects may be proposed by the private entity and selected by the governmental agency at the discretion of the governmental agency. Projects may be proposed and selected individually or as part of a related or larger project. The competitive negotiation process shall utilize, as the primary selection criteria, the demonstrated competence and qualifications for the studying, planning, design, developing, financing, construction, maintenance, rebuilding, improvement, repair, or operation, or any combination thereof, of the facility. The selection criteria shall also ensure that the facility be operated at fair and reasonable prices to the user of the infrastructure facility services. The competitive negotiation process shall not require competitive bidding.”

Government Code §4529.12

5. We’ve heard that if we cancel the American Water contract that there will be lawsuits and liens and we will be in the same situation as Los Osos.

This is a scare tactic and a myth. If we do not have a plant on line by September of 2009, we could get penalties. But, if we thought we could not meet that date, we could apply for an extension. We have only asked for a one year extension in the past. Santa Paula has gotten a five year extension. Los Osos was mandated to go from septic tanks to sewer and was started in 1984 – over twenty years ago! Not an “apples to apples” comparison. Jon Bishop, Executive Director for the LARWQCB has stated that they will work with communities.