Coastside County Water District Funds Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Hydroelectric Energy Recovery Potential of the Pilarcitos Pipeline

VIDEO. From the Coastside County Water District (CCWD) Director’s meeting on Tuesday, January 9th, 2023 at 7:00pm, as a hybrid meeting.

In 2019, the Industrial Assessment Center at San Francisco State University, School of Engineering, conducted a Department of Energy (DOE) Audit of the District’s facilities and recommended 1) that the District install a hydro-turbine for power production on the Pilarcitos pipeline that connects Pilarcitos Canyon to the Nunes Water Treatment Plant; and 2) that the District install solar on the roofs and grounds of the District’s facilities.

In Fall of 2023, District Staff was notified by San Francisco State University that the District could be eligible to receive a DOE grant (50% funding up to $300,000) to implement the findings. The District’s application for grant money was accepted. The next step is for the District to determine the feasibility of these projects.

The District received a proposal from HDR Inc. to conduct a feasibility study for the District for the hydro-turbine power production project. Deliverables include 1) conducting a technical assessment feasibility study to evaluate the potential for hydroelectric energy recovery in parallel with existing pipeline operations; 2) preparing a concept level layout of the energy recovery turbine and generator equipment; 3) preparing an opinion of probable cost; and 4) preparing a technical memo summarizing investigations and conclusions.

In the study conducted by San Francisco State University, the annual electricity savings from installation of a hydro-turbine was estimated to be $126,000 (2019 costs.) Given the potential for PG&E savings, Staff recommends that the District move forward with the feasibility study for a not-to-exceed budget of $42,422. Depending on the findings, the District may be able to apply for reimbursement as part of the grant.

The District is also investigating the solar recommendation as well and is working with a reputable solar company that deals with public agencies to provide an evaluation at no charge.

More on the Coastside County Water District on Coastside Buzz

Coastside County Water District Board Meetings (CCWD) ~ 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00pm

Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.

CALL AHEAD. Board meetings can be rescheduled.  Get on their email list to be notified of meeting changes. please sign up here.

CCWD Meeting Agendas

Regular meetings of the CCWD Board of Directors are held once each month on the second Tuesday. Regular meetings commence at 7:00 p.m. and are held in the District Office located at 766 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.

The date, time and place of a regular meeting may be changed by the Board of Directors in specific cases by a motion duly passed at a meeting duly called and held. Public notice shall be posted of any such change in the date, time or place of a regular meeting.

Posting Locations for the Agendas of the Regular / Special Board Meetings:

• CCWD Office (Front Door)
• City of Half Moon Bay Bulletin Board
• Half Moon Bay Library
• CCWD Website

If you would like to receive the monthly CCWD Board Meeting Agendas by e-mail, please sign up here.

Board of Directors

Chris Mickelsen, President  (Zone 2)
member since November 2001, term ends November 2026
email: [email protected]

Glenn Reynolds, Vice President  (Zone 1)
member since November 2011, term ends November 2024
email: [email protected]

Ken Coverdell, Director  (Zone 3)
member since May 1992, term ends November 2024
email: [email protected]

Bob Feldman, Director  (Zone 5)
member since April 2016, term ends November 2026
email: [email protected]

John Muller, Director  (Zone 4)
member since December 2020, term ends November 2024
email: [email protected]

Click for the Interactive Election Zone Map; see what zone your address is in.

Final (approved) 2020 Election Zone Map for Coastside County Water District

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Author: Coastside Buzz

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