Heppner Subdivision Water System Improvement Project
BACKGROUND
 The Heppner Subdivision is a rural development on one-acre lots located approximately ten miles north of Reno, Nevada. Development of these homes began in the late 1950s. More than 500 homes utilize individual domestic wells for water supply and septic tanks for wastewater disposal. The combination of a low-yield aquifer and increasing levels of nitrates in the groundwater has generated hardship on the homeowners. At least 150 individual wells have been deepened or re-drilled due to a declining water table. A number of wells are being re-drilled or deepened for the second time. Water quality sampling has shown that recharge from septic effluent is causing nitrate levels in the aquifer to increase.
Washoe County documented the steady decline of the water table over the past 20 years in the area of the Heppner Subdivision. Well failures appear likely to continue. The County investigated two alternatives to the problem, artificial recharge of the aquifer with Truckee River water and extending the service area of the Lemmon Valley water system. The County decided the best long-term solution was to extend the service area of the Lemmon Valley water system. This solution would correct the water quantity problem in the Heppner Subdivision and could help the water quality problem by adding dilution water to the aquifer. This project will provide the homeowners with a safe and reliable water supply along with increased fire protection.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Washoe County applied for a grant under the AB-198 program to assist with the expansion of the Washoe County Municipal water system in North Lemon Valley, commonly known as the Heppner Subdivision. The grant was originally approved by the Board for Financing Water Projects on March 31, 2004, for $1,280,300 (70% of the total eligible project cost of $1,829,000).
 The scope of this project was to improve the existing Lemmon Valley Well #8; construct a 600,000-gallon water storage tank; and install the following: 3,000 feet of 6-inch booster main, 2,100 feet of 10-inch transmission main, 5,000 feet of 8-inch transmission main, 9 fire hydrants, 30 service connections, a pressure reducing station, and valves and fittings as required.
PROJECT STATUS
The new system pipeline, appurtenances and tank are now complete. In order to fill the new Heppner tank from the Fish Spring Ranch pipeline, a PRV was installed on Matterhorn Blvd and new transmission pipeline was installed along Oregon Blvd from Matterhorn Blvd to Ohio St. This additional PRV and pipeline was a change order to this grant and replaced the improvements to the existing Lemmon Valley Well #8.
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