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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.
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Last modified: May 25, 2011