Supervisors to discuss Vidler agreement

An agreement Carson City entered with a local water company is coming back to the Board of Supervisors during its meeting Thursday for an update and additional information.

In December, the supervisors approved an agreement with Vidler Water Co., to examine the city's water system and resources, then provide improvement solutions.

"We were worried it was a binding agreement," said resident Bruce Kittess, who was among a group of residents who have met with city and Vidler officials about the arrangement.

Specifically "we had to do something about Brunswick," said City Manager Linda Ritter.

If Vidler finds any viable ways to improve the city's water system - and potentially capitalize on the solutions - the city and company could create these projects and share in any resulting profits.

The main focus of the agreement is the city's annually accumulated effluent - most likely by treating it and selling it, according to Ritter.

The city reclaims about 5,800 acre-feet of water but loses another 2,000 acre-feet that seeps out of Brunswick Reservoir. In 2003, the state ordered the city to line the reservoir if it were to continue being used for wastewater storage.

Wastewater leakage from Brunswick might be better remedied by letting the excess reach the Carson River than by constructing basins to clean it. A plan to construct rapid infiltration basins drew criticism from nearby residents that the basins would leach effluent into their own privately-owned water systems.

"It's a hunting license for Vidler to develop a project," said Andrew Burnham, the city's development services director.

Whatever Vidler recommends "we're under no obligation to accept it," he added.

Kittess said the focus now would be on examining the quality any plan proposed for processing, moving and selling the effluent.

Any plan Vidler comes up with would require approval by the supervisors, Ritter added.

Secondary emphasis of the agreement would be on water rights. The city has adequate water rights to handle future needs, but should seek out more "actual" water and ways to better deliver the water it already has, Ritter said.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

In other business, the supervisors

• Could approve a tentative map for Ross Park, a planned-unit development next to Ross Gold Park in the 4700 block of Snyder Avenue. The 23 two-story detached homes would each be built on a 1.24-acre, three-sided parcel bordered by Snyder, California Avenue and Appion Way. Parking has been a primary concern of neighbors.

• Will consider adding the Carson River Aquatic Trails Master Plan and changing the mapping of a bicycle path from Arrowhead Drive to the south side of the Carson City Airport on the city's pathways master plan.

• Discuss spring fire fuels reduction plans on the city's west side.

• Give final approval to price breaks for low-income seniors on water costs.

• Will hear about Question 1 grant progress, relating to state conservation grants.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Supervisors meeting

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: Sierra Room, Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.