Williams project in state’s hands

The city of Williams is waiting to hear from the Central Valley Water Resource Control Board whether or not the city’s new plan for constructing a wastewater treatment facility will be approved.

“Our city administrator, Jim Manning, has met with (the board) and they’re happy with what we’re trying to do,” said Williams Mayor Patricia Ash.

Manning said the city in March applied for a $25 million from the State Water Resources Control Board to help fund the construction of a new plant. The city also submitted a revised time schedule for project completion.

Like Colusa, the city of Williams has requested that the board utilize a 2006 state law that allows fines to be redirected toward the construction cost of the project. Phone calls to the board seeking comment this week were not returned.

The city has been out of compliance with the water treatment standards since 2005 and in March was fined about $2 million for the non-compliance. An extension from the board in August set 2010 as deadline for compliance.

However, the extension agreement was contingent upon the city securing the money to build the project on or before Feb. 1 of this year. Williams voters in February narrowly rejected a special district assessment that would have funded the plant’s construction; that vote forced city officials to find another way to pay for the project.

Manning said the new plan involves raising monthly municipal sewer bills to help pay off the proposed $25 million loan. He said there was no way to know how much each resident’s bill would increase until the interest rate of the loan is determined.

City officials are proceeding with the design phase of the new project with the hope that approvals from the necessary state agencies will come soon.

“Regardless, we’re going to keep the project moving along,” he said.

Contact Rob Parsons at 458-2121 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.