What is this project?
The Glendale Water Supply Improvement Project (GWSIP) is the complete reconstruction of the diversion and intake facility needed to bring Truckee River water into the Glendale Water Treatment Plant. The Glendale Plant, along with the Chalk Bluff Plant in northwest Reno, treats surface water from the Truckee River for delivery to TMWA’s customers in the Reno-Sparks area. The Truckee River provides approximately 85 percent of the water supply to TMWA customers. The Glendale Plant is located directly across the river from the Grand Sierra Resort.

Tell us a little bit about the Glendale Plant.
TMWA’s predecessor, Sierra Pacific Power Company, constructed the plant in 1976. Over the years it has been upgraded and improved to meet more stringent drinking water standards. Even so, the facility has never been able to operate at full efficiency and capacity due to inadequacies with the existing river intake.

Why does the existing intake need to be replaced?
The intake, consisting of piled rock and concrete, is porous and lacks the capability to divert enough water to operate the plant at full capacity. It also does not have the full capability of capturing releases from upstream storage reservoirs during times of drought. The existing structure also acts as an obstruction to fish and boat passage.

What is the design status of the project?
Final design of the project has been completed and all environmental permits necessary for starting construction have been obtained. Design and permitting started in 2005 with the formation of a working group and public outreach process. The working group, consisting of representatives of jurisdictional agencies, recreational groups, and members of the general public assisted TMWA in the selection of design and operational criteria. A number of workshops and meetings were held over a two year period eventually resulting in consensus of the design criteria. These criteria were tested, refined and confirmed with the successful operation of a small scale model which ultimately led to final design and permitting. A permit for construction was issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in July 2007.

What innovative features will the new facility incorporate?
The new facility will incorporate a number of innovative but natural features. First and foremost, the existing pile of rock and concrete, which acts as an impediment to fish and recreational passage, will be removed and replaced with a low profile, roughened channel weir that will mimic the look of the natural Truckee River. Design techniques have been employed which have reduced the amount of concrete to be placed in the river. Also incorporated in the design are state-of-art fish screens and a “pool and shoot” fishway which will also provide greatly improved boat passage.

What’s happening right now with the project?
During the last year, TMWA has continued to work collaboratively with a number of agencies. TMWA is just now completing a pre-construction survey of fish behavior and movement in the project area. This work was done in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the City of Sparks. Information from this study, along with data obtained from a future post-construction survey, could allow for future fine tuning of the facility. The competitive bidding process began on release date on February 10. TMWA expects construction to start July 1.

Who do I contact for more information about the Glendale Water Supply Project?
For more information, please send your request to Ron Penrose at rpenrose@tmwa.net.