By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Local officials confirmed Monday that the City of San Benito is now relying fully upon its older water plant to service area residents.
“Yes, ‘Plant No. 1’ is in operation now,” said Assistant City Manager Hector Jalomo of the plant which was assumedly replaced by the $17 million Water Treatment plant No. 2 – a state-of-the-art facility erected in 2003.
In fact, Plant No. 1 never stopped being used, according to Lara, who further noted, “The old water treatment plant has never been taken out of commission. We have been using it the whole time.”
Lara cited needing to work out “bugs” in the newer plant as cause for using the older facility. Lara said, “Normally, when you bring in a new water treatment plant—or new technology—we always have to go through a process to get all the bugs out before you make a drastic move and decommission anything. We have been very conscientious of that.”
“Of course,” said Lara, “now we’re using (Plant No. 1) to produce more water.” Lara was referring to Plant No. 2 being in need of new membrane filters, which—at $212 apiece—may cost the city near $100,000.
These membrane filters, according to Jalomo, are manufactured in Australia. Although instillation of the filters is not included in the $212 price tag, Jalomo has said that City employees would be charged with such a task. It has been estimated that even if the City decides to order these filters, it could be north of five months before delivery.
At a special meeting held by the City on June 11, when discussions on whether engineers would be hired to assess Plant No. 2 were held, Mayor Celeste Z. Sanchez voted to table the item. The motion was so moved and carried.
Regarding the consideration and approval of obtaining legal counsel to represent and advise the city on Plant No. 2’s issues, Lara said attorneys at the Houston-based Arnold & Itkin LLP law firm have been hired to look into the matter. Lara did not, however, comment on the present state of Plant No. 2
Since Plant No. 2’s inception in 2003, “The old water treatment facility has been producing, some months, more than the new water treatment,” said Lara.
According to city officials, Plant No. 1 is capable to provide water with no limitations.
2 comments
It is always a wonder why people don’t ask critical questions: Who was the engineer of design and how much did he get paid. Who was the engineer who inspected the engineer of design? It is true that the city paid the engineer over $3,000,000 to build the plant but the engineer never designed it with a backup and therefore the city could not let water plant number 1 stop operating. It is true that our water rates will continue to go up to pay for the indebtedness? Is it true that during a thunderstorm over $250,000 of equipment was destroyed because the building was not properly grounded and the taxpayers had to foot the bill? Not the engineer responsible for the misdeed. It is true that the City of San Benito is trying to rehire this engineer. Is this what you call progress?
In 2000, the City stated to the public:
* The City’s steadily growing population had taken a toll on both the City’s water and wastewater treatment plants.
*The ‘old’ water treatment plant had exceeded its maximum permitted treatment capacity.
* The wastewater treatment plant was in need of major upgrades.
* The new facility to be built would be the most modern and innovative water treatment plants in the region.
Today the City is stating something entirely different!
* No population growth
* No new and innovative technology (that works)
* Nothing but residents getting stuck with a $20 MILLION DOLLAR debt!
According to what many informed people in the community have stated is that the plant has NEVER worked properly. NOT one DAY! Was this all of scheme to swindle taxpayers?? The people responsible for this project needs to be fired or sued!
Water rates are scheduled to go UP forever!