Future of Shared Wastewater Plant on Agenda

City officials from Pinole and Hercules will meet Wednesday to discuss the financial implications of whether Hercules continues to send its wastewater to a plant in Pinole or to defect to another wastewater district.

Last year Hercules officials began studying the prospect of re-routing it's waste from the Wastewater Polution Control Plant in Pinole to the West County Wastewater District. Because of expected growth in Hercules, it is projected that the capacity of Pinole plant will need to be upgraded. The two cities operate the plant jointly and share the costs. Pinole officials have asked for a decision sooner rather than later because of a pending deadline to renew its permit from state and federal water quality regulation agencies.

Although both cities are facing general fiscal constraints, they regard existing funding for the plant as adequate to meet current needs. More funding, likely in the form of long-term debt, would be required to expand the plant.

Hercules officials have halted a study on the feasibility of . Such a project likely would include millions of dollars for constructing new pipes and a pumping station and for buying right of way from property owners between Hercules and the West County plant. The proposed plan has been to run new lines either along San Pablo Avenue or along the waterfront.

Currently the West County Wastewater district provides sewage collection and treatment services for San Pablo, the northern subdivisions of Richmond, part of Pinole, El Sobrante, East Richmond Heights, Tara Hills, Rollingwood, Bayview, and some other unincorporated areas.

Wednesday's meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. in the Alex Clark Room at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St.