Highlighted Projects Showcasing Our Expertise

Project Overview: SMB prepared a programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the City of Oxnard’s Public Works Integrated Master Plan (PWIMP). This plan outlines a phased approach to improving the city’s infrastructure to:

• Accommodate Projected Population Growth
• Maintain Reliability of Treatment Systems
• Meet Future Regulatory Standards
• Optimize Costs Through the 2030 Planning Horizon

Scope of Infrastructure Planning: The PWIMP addresses the future needs of the city’s key utility systems:

• Water
• Wastewater
• Recycled water
• Stormwater

The plan aims to increase Oxnard’s water supply by 12,000 acre-feet per year to offset groundwater pumping restrictions and support growth through 2040. It also targets rehabilitation and replacement of aging infrastructure.

Major Planned Improvements: Key infrastructure projects in the PWIMP include:

• 6 new 2,000 gpm water supply wells
• 10 new aquifer and storage recovery wells
• A new 2.0 million-gallon (MG) storage tank
• Expansion of the de-salter facility from 7.5 mgd to 15 mgd in two 3.75 mgd phases
• Construction of a 32,100 LF brine line (14–24 inches in diameter) from blending stations to the ocean outfall
• Advanced wastewater treatment facility expansion from 6.5 mgd to 18.5 mgd
• Rehabilitation or replacement of approx. 350,000 LF of existing water, recycled water, wastewater, and stormwater pipelines
• Upgrades to electrical, mechanical, and auxiliary equipment at existing water supply blending stations

Integrated Planning Approach: The PWIMP builds on prior planning efforts using a coordinated strategy to:

• Leverage synergies across all four water utility systems
• Align utility upgrades with planned street improvements for efficient execution

Environmental Review and Mitigation: The Program EIR includes broad mitigation strategies for the numerous projects planned over the next 10–15 years. These projects will require further environmental documentation under CEQA and NEPA, including:

• Categorical Exemptions
• Mitigated Negative Declarations
• Project-Specific EIRs

Status and Approval: The Program EIR was approved by the City of Oxnard’s Planning Commission. Due to COVID-19-related delays, it is currently awaiting approval from the City Council.

Overview of the Recycled Water Project: SMB Environmental Inc. prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Environmental Assessment-Finding of No Significant Impact (EA-FONSI) for the City of Ukiah’s proposed Recycled Water Project. The main goal of the project is to replace and augment existing water supplies in Ukiah Valley.

Project Purpose and Benefits: The use of recycled water within Ukiah Valley aims to:

• Offset both existing and future water demands for irrigation and frost protection of agricultural land.
• Support the local agricultural industry.
• Reduce urban irrigation demands.
• Alleviate storage limitations at the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant (UWWTP).
• Reduce treated wastewater discharges into the Russian River.

Project Development and Preferred Alternative: The Proposed Project was developed through an extensive engineering and feasibility study process. This process led to the identification of a recommended or preferred alternative, which is detailed in Chapter 7 of the City’s February 2012 Recycled Water Master Plan. This alternative is the basis for the environmental analysis.

Project Details: The Proposed Project involves:

• The construction of 9.4 miles of recycled water pipeline, ranging in size from 8 to 16 inches.
• The pipeline will supply recycled water from the City’s existing Ukiah WWTP to approximately 990 acres of agricultural and urban landscape irrigation lands within Ukiah Valley.
• 44 parcels covering 703 acres will receive 1,234 acre-feet per year (AFY) of recycled water for irrigation purposes.
• An additional 284 acres will receive 142 AFY of recycled water for frost protection.

Environmental Certification and Current Status: The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was certified and adopted by the City Council on June 5, 2013. As of now:

• Phases 1 through 3 of the project have been constructed.
• SMB Environmental Inc. is currently assisting the City with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) permitting support for the construction of Phase 4.

SMB Environmental Inc. is providing Program Management Services to oversee the preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the expansion of the Pacheco Reservoir. This project is proposed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) in the southeastern portion of Santa Clara County, California.

Project Overview: The Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project is a strategic, long-term initiative aimed at ensuring a more reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water, particularly in the face of climate change. The expansion will increase Pacheco Reservoir’s operational capacity from 5,500 acre-feet to up to 140,000 acre-feet, enough to supply water to 1.4 million residents for one year in an emergency.

Benefits of the Project: The expansion will reduce the frequency and severity of water shortages during droughts, protect Valley Water’s drinking water supply and infrastructure, and enhance habitat for fish. The project includes the construction and operation of a new dam, expanded reservoir, water conveyance facilities, and related infrastructure, such as access improvements, roads, and electrical transmission lines. The existing North Fork Dam will also be decommissioned.

Key Infrastructure Changes: The new dam and expanded reservoir will be located on North Fork Pacheco Creek, upstream from the existing North Fork Dam. This will inundate the upstream portion of the current Pacheco Reservoir. Water will be collected in the expanded reservoir during winter months from local watershed runoff, and, when available, through Central Valley Project (CVP) supplies from San Luis Reservoir via the Pacheco Conduit.

Operational Goals and Flexibility: The proposed facilities and expanded reservoir will be operated by Valley Water to enhance water supply reliability and operational flexibility. The expansion will help meet municipal, industrial (M&I), and agricultural water demands during droughts and emergencies. Additionally, it will support habitat development for the South-Central California Coast (SCCC) steelhead in Pacheco Creek, improve water quality, and reduce supply interruptions related to San Luis Reservoir operations.

Environmental and Supply Commitments: In below-normal years, the project will also contribute water to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Refuge Water Supply Program (RWSP) for Incremental Level 4 (IL4) refuges. This will aid in wetlands and wildlife habitat development and management.

Technical Expertise and Peer Review: SMB is playing a key role in providing third-party technical peer reviews for various technical documents supporting the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project. These reviews cover environmental resource areas such as air quality, biological resources (both aquatic and terrestrial), cultural resources, climate change and greenhouse gases, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, noise, traffic, and transportation, among others.

Project Overview: SMB Environmental Inc. prepared the IS/MND and EA/FONSI (CEQA-Plus document) for the City of Hayward’s Recycled Water Project. This project involves the installation of a new Recycled Water Facility (RWF) at the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), located at 3700 Enterprise Avenue, Hayward, California.

Project Scope: The RWF is expected to deliver approximately 290 acre-feet of recycled water annually to 24 customers within the City of Hayward. To facilitate this, approximately 1.5 miles of new distribution lines (ranging from 6 to 8 inches in diameter) will be installed both to the north and south of the WPCF.

Infrastructure and Connections: The project will also involve the rehabilitation and connection to an existing and abandoned Shell Oil Pipeline, as well as over 3 miles of laterals to connect the recycled water to customers. Customer connections will also be installed.

Usage of Recycled Water: The majority of customers will use the recycled water for irrigation purposes. However, some customers will use it for industrial applications, such as cooling towers and boilers.

Funding and Additional Consulting: SMB Environmental Inc. helped the City of Hayward seek funding from the State Board and/or USBR under the CWSRF program and/or Title XVI. Additionally, SMB Environmental Inc. provided consulting support for the preparation of an Addendum to the IS/MND for a small project addition within the WPCF.

Project Overview: SMB Environmental Inc. prepared an IS/MND for the City of Watsonville’s Zone 2 Water Reservoir and Booster Pump Station Modification Project. The project focuses on the construction and operation of a new water storage tank to improve the city’s water infrastructure.

New Water Storage Tank: The proposed project includes a new up to 3 million-gallon (MG) concrete water storage tank, which will be 36.5 feet high and up to 121 feet in diameter. This tank will be located at the site of the Watsonville Municipal Airport, next to the existing 3 MG water storage tank.

Purpose of the New Tank: The new tank will serve as backup and emergency storage for the city’s water supply in case of catastrophic events such as earthquakes, droughts, or the failure of the existing tank. This is crucial to ensure the city’s water supply remains reliable and safe for residents.

Condition of the Existing Tank: The city’s current steel water storage tank, approximately 32 feet high and 150 feet in diameter, is nearing the end of its useful life. Inspections from 2014 and 2019 have revealed significant internal corrosion. As a result, the existing tank needs rehabilitation or replacement soon.

Importance of the New Tank: The city cannot afford to take the existing tank offline until the new tank is built. The new tank will ensure that Watsonville’s customers continue to have access to a safe and reliable water supply.

Approval and Timeline: The City of Watsonville approved the project on June 13, 2023. The construction of the new tank is essential to maintaining water supply security for the city.

Project Overview: SMB managed the preparation of the City of Kings IS/MND for the City’s Recycled Water Project. This project aims to improve the City’s wastewater and recycled water systems.

Key Components: The proposed project involves replacing the existing WWTP headworks/ponds treatment system. Additionally, a new 2.0 mgd maximum month secondary wastewater treatment plant will be constructed to meet regulatory requirements and support planned area growth.

Tertiary Recycled Water Treatment: A 1.8 mgd average day tertiary recycled water treatment plant will also be built, along with a 5.3-mile pipeline distribution system. This system is designed to offset approximately 1,000 acre-feet per year of potable and agricultural water use in the community.

Access Road Improvements: A new access road to the WWTP will be designed, as the current access road is located in a farmer’s field. This access is limited during winter months and flooding events, which has made plant access difficult.

Location and Approval: Both the secondary and tertiary treatment plants will be located within the existing treatment plant boundary. The tertiary recycled water treatment and distribution system is planned to serve agricultural, landscape irrigation, and commercial/process uses.

King City approved the project on May 23, 2023.

Overview of the Proposed Project: SMB prepared an IS/MND and EA/FONSI for the City of Vacaville’s Recycled Water Project. The project aims to expand the city’s recycled water distribution system by adding approximately 9 miles (48,000 linear feet) of new pipelines, connecting to the existing 20 miles of recycled water pipelines. The distribution system will consist of two branches with varying pipeline sizes, ranging from 6 inches to 20 inches in diameter.

Details of the Two Pipeline Branches

• Southeast Branch:
  • This branch extends from the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and serves:
    Planned athletic fields near the WWTP.
    • One direct agricultural parcel.
    • Cypress Lakes Golf Course.
• Northwest Branch:
  • This branch extends west from the Easterly WWTP and then splits into northern and southern branches along Leisure Town Road.
  • Key features of this branch:
    • Uses an abandoned sewer line to cross the railroad tracks between Fry Road and Elmira Road.
    • Utilizes existing recycled water lines installed within new developments along Leisure Town Road.
    • Serves urban irrigation customers in new developments.
    • Provides water to one agricultural customer south of Elmira Road and west of the railroad.
    • Supplies water to industrial reuse customers in the Vaca Valley Business Park, located between I-80 and I-505.

Project Implementation Phases: The implementation of the distribution pipelines will occur in phases, categorized as immediate, near-term, and long-term. The City of Vacaville approved the project in May 2021.

Overview of the Project: SMB Environmental Inc. played a key role in the City of Pleasanton's Recycled Water Project by preparing the IS/MND (Initial Study/Negative Declaration) and EA/FONSI (Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact), which are part of the CEQA-Plus document. This process involved extensive environmental analysis and documentation for the City’s recycled water initiatives.

Feasibility Study and Environmental Reports: Previously, SMB Environmental Inc. was responsible for managing and preparing the Environmental Issues and Constraints Report for the City’s Recycled Water Project, which formed part of the feasibility study effort. This report addressed environmental factors and potential constraints to ensure the project could move forward smoothly.

The Proposed Project/Action: The Proposed Project includes significant infrastructure upgrades. It involves the expansion and enhancement of the Dublin San Ramon Sanitation District’s (DSRSD) existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This upgrade is designed to provide a recycled water supply of approximately 2,500 acre-feet per year (afy), which will help meet the recycled water demand in the City’s service area. Additionally, the project will reduce reliance on the City’s groundwater supplies and water purchased from Zone 7.

Construction of Infrastructure: A crucial component of the Proposed Project involves the construction of up to approximately 20 miles (103,100 linear feet) of pipeline. These pipelines will vary in diameter, ranging from 6 inches to 36 inches. Furthermore, the existing Tassajara Reservoir will be converted into a recycled water storage facility to support the project’s water distribution efforts.

Funding Support and Construction Monitoring: In addition to planning and environmental documentation, SMB Environmental Inc. is assisting the City in seeking funding opportunities from the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and/or the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program and/or Title XVI.

The Project has already been constructed, and SMB Environmental Inc. continued to provide crucial construction environmental monitoring support throughout the build process to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and best practices.

Overview of the Project: SMB prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) as part of the CEQA-Plus documentation for the Los Carneros Recycled Water Pipeline Project. The project aimed to construct an approximately 12-mile recycled water pipeline to serve 5,700 acres of agricultural land within the District.

Project Components and Design: The proposed project consists of a 6- to 24-inch pipeline system that will connect to the existing 24-inch recycled water pipeline planned for the Stanly Ranch/St. Regis area. This pipeline is connected to the Napa Sanitation District’s Imola Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Los Carneros Project will connect to the end of the Stanly Ranch/St. Regis pipeline and extend the pipeline system for approximately 12 miles, running through the District.

Location and Infrastructure: The pipeline will be located within existing roadways and does not require any new pump stations or storage facilities. This will help minimize the impact on surrounding areas.

Project Impact and Scope: The proposed pipeline will provide recycled water to approximately 140 parcels or 3,400 acres of irrigable land within the District. The recycled water supply will meet Title 22 requirements, delivering an estimated 1,650 acre-feet per year.

Review and Approval Process: The IS/MND and EA/FONSI document was sent out for a 30-day public review starting on December 19, 2013. The Board adopted the document on February 11, 2014, after considering public feedback. Construction of the pipeline was completed by October 2015.

Project Overview: SMB successfully prepared a Categorical Exemption and environmental application in accordance with CEQA-plus requirements. This was a crucial step in securing a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board’s State Revolving Fund Program for the City of Burlingame’s existing Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Digester Improvements Project.

WWTF Description and Current Condition: The City’s WWTF operates with a permitted design flow of 5.5 million gallons per day (mgd), based on average dry weather flow. This facility provides secondary treatment of wastewater, discharging the treated effluent into the North Bayside System Unit force main. Ultimately, the treated water is released into Lower San Francisco Bay via a deep-water outfall.

The current anaerobic digestion facilities—which include two digesters, a sludge storage tank, and an equipment room—are aging and need replacement. The upgrades are essential to improve both the performance and reliability of the digestion process.

Project Timeline and Construction Plans: Construction for the proposed Digester Improvements Project is planned to begin on September 1, 2023. The project is expected to take approximately 30 months of continuous work to complete.

Environmental Impact Report: SMB managed the Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/EIS) for the City of Folsom’s Water Supply and Conveyance Project. This project was crucial to support the planned growth in the Folsom Specific Plan Area, which was set to include 10,093 dwelling units over approximately 3,600 acres of land south of Highway 50. At the time, this area lacked a sufficient water supply.

Water Rights and Conveyance Proposal: To address this need, the City proposed acquiring 8,000 acre-feet of water per year (AFY) from the Natomas Central Mutual Water Company (NCMWC). The plan also included conveying this water to the Folsom Specific Plan Area. Steve Brown from SMB Environmental Inc. played a key role in identifying and evaluating the environmental impacts of various alternatives for conveying the water, along with evaluating several potential water treatment plant alternatives.

Comprehensive Environmental Analysis: This comprehensive analysis was incorporated into the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement to ensure compliance with both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIR/EIS was successfully completed, certified, and adopted on June 14, 2011.

CEQA Addendum and Final Adoption: After the certification and adoption of the EIR, SMB Environmental Inc. prepared a CEQA addendum to reflect changes in the proposed water supply alternative. This update solidified the plan to serve the Folsom Specific Plan Area. Since the new alternative was sufficiently addressed in the original EIR/EIS and did not result in new or increased significant impacts, the City was able to adopt the proposed change on December 11, 2012, using a CEQA addendum instead of requiring a supplemental EIR.

Steve Brown of SMB, when he was the Manager of the Central Valley/Sierra Region Water and Wastewater Division of Environmental Science Associates (ESA), the led the team that prepared the EIR for the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) on its Folsom Lake Temperature Control Device (TCD) Project. He prepared the environmental document on a fast-track basis within budget. The fast-track EIR was prepared on budget and within five months from notice to proceed, allowing EID to certify the EIR and approve the project in order to receive federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

SMB managed the preparation of the People’s Moss Landing Water Desalination Project EIR. The purpose of the Proposed Project is to provide the Monterey Peninsula Area in Monterey County, California, with a safe and reliable water supply of up to 12,577 afy to offset mandated water supply diversion curtailments on the Carmel River and Seaside Basin and to meet the future water supply demands in the Monterey Peninsula area. The Project is currently on hold due to technical/engineering and political issues with the intake facility design and location.

Project Overview: The City of Napa's Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant (JCWTP) is undergoing significant upgrades to improve its capacity and efficiency. The project aims to expand the current 12 million gallon per day (mgd) plant to a treatment capacity of 20 mgd, with a peak hydraulic treatment capacity of 24 mgd.

Goals of the Expansion: The proposed upgrades will allow the city to consolidate operational practices from two other water treatment plants and focus primarily on operating JCWTP year-round. This expansion will also enhance the city’s ability to utilize its full allotment of State Water Project (SWP) water supplies through the North Bay Aqueduct (NBA), which will help meet current and future water demand.

Benefits for the City

• Increased Capacity: Expansion to 20 mgd average and 24 mgd peak capacity.
• Improved Water Supply Utilization: Greater use of NBA water entitlements.
• Drought Resilience: The upgrades will support drought-proofing the city’s water supply.
• Efficiency Gains: Consolidation of operations and cost savings by reducing reliance on other water treatment plants.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR): Steve Brown of SMB Environmental Inc., while at ESA, managed the preparation of the EIR for the proposed improvements. The EIR addressed several potentially significant environmental issues associated with the project and provided mitigation measures to reduce impacts to acceptable levels.

Growth-Inducing Impacts: The EIR also analyzed the potential growth-inducing impacts of the proposed improvements. These aspects were carefully considered to ensure that the planned upgrades would support sustainable growth without causing unintended consequences.

Project Outcome: The EIR was successfully completed, certified, and adopted. The project is now in operation, fulfilling its goal of enhancing water treatment capacity and ensuring a reliable water supply for the City of Napa.