VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WORK SESSION
VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT OFFICE
NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Minutes of a Work Session of the Virgin Valley Water District Board held on November 3, 2011, at the Virgin Valley Water District Office at 9:00 a.m.  Attending were President Karl Gustaveson, Vice-President Mark McEwen, Secretary-Treasurer Kenyon Leavitt and Board Members Ted Miller and Sandra Ramaker.  Also present from the VVWD were Kenneth Rock General Manager, Aaron Bunker District Hydrologist, Wes Smith District Accountant and Mary Johnson taking minutes.  Also present were members of the Forsgren Associates, Inc. team; Rudd Conover, Ryan Wheeler, Randall Johnson, Gary Ashby and Brett Housley, and other interested parties of agenda items.

• President Karl Gustaveson called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m.
• Kenyon Leavitt offered a Prayer
• Ted Miller led the pledge.
• Public Comment – There was no public comment at this time.

1. For Presentation and for Discussion – Forsgren Associates, Inc. will make a presentation for the Secondary Water Feasibility Study, including suggestions for steps to be undertaken.

Ken began with a brief introduction and thanked the Board for allowing this project to go forward.  Ken also stated that this presentation would be extremely long if all the information was presented, but that the way Forsgren has arranged for the presentation that questions can be asked at any time and they are able to switch back and forth between screens very easily.  Karl also thanked Forsgren for the number of representatives present and that they must have taken this project very seriously.

Rudd Conover, Division Manager and Principal with Forsgren Associates agreed with Karl’s statement that they have taken this project very seriously.  Rudd continued to introduce his team; Randall Johnson, Gary Ashby and Brett Housley (arriving a little late) and Ryan Wheeler who would do the presentation.

Ryan Wheeler began the presentation and stated that their task was to see if a secondary water system was feasible.  Ryan began with some background information and reviewed the total groundwater allocated to the District; the ownership of the Virgin River water; and the quality of the Virgin River water.  Ryan further explained their approach, stating that their projections were figured to a full build out, which would require 3 ERUs/acre.  Ryan stated that this followed the City’s density figures.  Based on these figures, the District will require 35,163 ERUs (equivalent residential unit) for a population of approximately 85,000 people.  The District’s current available ERUs are 13,350; this would need to triple to meet a complete build out.

Ryan then reviewed their assumptions, alternatives and costs.  Ryan stated that their preferred alternative would be alternative number 1 listed and not to implement a secondary water distribution system throughout the community at this time and to continue to develop the existing secondary service that is provided to large volume users.  This alternative has the lowest capitol costs and scored the highest in the decision matrix.  The preferred alternative has a total estimated capital cost for secondary water of $0 and an estimated capital cost for potable water of $79,530,000.

Ryan discussed Basin 222 that is shared with three states and Forsgren is highly recommending that an Integrated Management Plan with Nevada, Utah and Arizona be formed as soon as possible.

Ryan then reviewed their current recommendations with forming the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan as their number one recommendation.

A break was taken at 10:35 a.m. and the workshop resumed at 10:50 a.m.

2. For Presentation and for Discussion – The General Manager will present a report on the problems of the Bunkerville Secondary System and possible actions to resolve them.  The Board may consider and discuss research to assess the problem.  Staff could research and return with a consultant’s estimate to produce a full study with recommended actions and costs.

Ken had included a written report on the Bunkerville secondary water system and reviewed the problems that have occurred, and are currently occurring within this system.  The secondary system, as is, requires 60% potable water combined with the secondary water so as not to kill the vegetation.  Due to bacterial growth in the distribution piping, the secondary system is running completely on potable water at this time.

Ken then reviewed the actions that have been taken thus far with this system; and then further apparent required actions to happen in the future.
Ken answered questions and there was further discussion with some suggestions and possibilities.  The time frame and costs were also discussed.

After further discussion it was suggested that the District work with Forsgren to come back with a scope of work with a cost estimate for a full investigation with correction alternatives; and to continue to monitor the water quality.

3. Adjournment

President Karl Gustaveson adjourned the meeting at 11:28 a.m.
 

NOTE): The minutes of this meeting have been tape-recorded and will remain on file in the District office for a one-year period for public examination.

•  Board Work Session Minutes: 2011-11-03 (.pdf 24.K)