Calhouns Can(n)ons

Latest Sewer Cost Projections

My thanks to Ron Crawford of www.sewerwatch.blogspot.com . He emailed me a note that the regular June 2nd Update Sewer Report before the BOS included the latest breakdown of possible prices going from worst case to best case scenarios, i.e. present realities to all potential financial aid sources all becoming available. (Some folks call that latter scenario, “dreaming,”but ya never know.) You can watch the presentation at http://slocounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id710

Briefly, all the monthly “fees” will remain the same. The only amount that will change will be the capital assessment amount plus the cost for hook up. The SWB has declared Los Osos a disadvantaged community so it can qualify for a 1% @ 30 year stimulus SRF money. The county is still looking into USDA grants for poor people for hook ups. The WRDA 35 million is still allocated, if the money can be found and plugged in. And they’re asking for $10 mil in state funds. Plus, interestingly, construction costs on average have dropped 30% due to the economic downturn. And, at this point, nobody knows what the base project cost actually will be until the project is picked and the actual bids come in.

So, the guestimates as to monthly costs run from $250 a month with zero assistance down to $98 a month if all the financial loans and grants come in, a figure which is in the ball park for the EPA “suggested” affordability amount.

The county is planning to ramp up affordability issues this fall to get information to the public, including the possibility of setting up a sort of “universal” application that people under a certain income could fill out and the county could then plug in the sections with the appropriate agencies, so as to streamline the process of getting help. There’ll be workshops and other public outreach programs as well.

WATER FEST

My thanks to Keith Wimer for getting me a flyer during the Field Trip! Field Trip! to the Monterey wastewater facilities regarding WATERFEST ‘09

Saturday, June 20, 2009 10am – 2 pm. Free Admission . South side of Morro Rock in Morro Bay.

Held in conjuction with International Surfing Day.
Paddle out at 9:30 a.m.
Paddleboard Games throughout the day and much more!

There’ll be family fun, a bounce house, children’s state, educational fun, plus live music from noon to 5, all supported by a variety of sponsors and supporters and event organizers, including Cal Poly, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Morro Bay national Estuaary Program, SLO County Partner for Water Quality, SLO Green Build, Surfrider Foundation & etc.

Should be a fun day. For further info, www.slowaterfest.org