- 8 - Of the 40 million gallons of wastewater per day that could conceivably pass through the first section of pipeline, approximately 29 million gallons will be available for various users (irrigators) along its route.9 Those users are expected to consist of vineyards and other growers, ranchers, homeowners in large rural settings, parks, and others. Petitioner intends to enter into agreements with the irrigators for periods of 10 to 20 years, which will guarantee a certain amount of wastewater at a negotiated cost to the irrigators.10 Petitioner’s ruling request represents that “Aggregate amounts received from the Irrigation Contracts will not exceed 5 percent of debt service on the Bonds.” General rates and charges (sewer demand fees) are presently imposed on users of petitioner’s sewage system. The various fees are set by an ordinance which provides a generally applicable 9This assumes 11 million gallons per day of wastewater will be transported to the geyser steamfield for use by Company. However, an exhibit entitled “Table of Delivery Rates” shows that estimated flows of wastewater per day to the geyser steamfield will range from 9.0 million gallons in April and May to 12.1 million gallons in November, December, and January. 10According to petitioner, irrigators must take water from the pipeline in the winter and spring when greater amounts of wastewater are available and fill ponds and reservoirs for future use. It is unlikely that those users will have ponds or reservoirs currently in place, and each user could incur significant capital expenditures for construction of ponds and reservoirs, as well as the related pumping and connection equipment. Those users will want assurances that the pipeline will be built and that they will be guaranteed a certain amount of the wastewater.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011