Honcut School Water System Improvement Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021120437
Public Agency
Palermo Union School District
Document Title
Honcut School Water System Improvement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/20/2023
Document Description
The Honcut School Water System (Public Water System CA 0400060) provides potable water to approximately 40 students, teachers, and part-time staff during the school year through two service connections. Water is also used to irrigate approximately 0.25 acres on the school property. The water system consists of a 90-foot deep well, 86-gallon bladder tank, 250-gallon storage tank, and a distribution system. The well, constructed in 1931, has been exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate since 2015. In 2019, the water system received a Compliance Order from the Butte County Public Health Department (BCPHD) directing the school to achieve compliance with the MCL for nitrate. Additionally, portions of the existing pipeline from the well to the School are approximately 90 years old and are deteriorating. Therefore, the project includes improvements to the Honcut School water system that are required in order to replace aging infrastructure, comply with BCPHD requirements, and ensure a safe and reliable water supply for students and teachers. In addition to constructing a new well, improvements include the following items:
• Constructing a new concrete masonry unit (CMU) block well building to house the new well, with a separate room for chemical dosing equipment;
• Installing a 50 gallons per minute (GPM) submersible well pump;
• Installing a day tank, pump, and appurtenances to dose the well water with sodium
hypochlorite;
• Installing a 400-gallon hydropneumatic tank;
• Installing new 2-inch piping and appurtenances to connect the new well to the
three classroom buildings;
• Installing new 3-inch piping and appurtenances to connect the new well to the irrigation system;
• Installing an automatic transfer switch and an electrical conduit to connect to a future generator;
• Installing fencing to protect the well building;
• Installing aggregate base around the perimeter of the fenced well building;
• Destroying the old well per Department of Water Resources (DWR) Bulletin 74-81 and 74-90;
• Removing the building and all aboveground appurtenances associated with the old well;
• Relocating the existing leach field; and
• Replacing the existing septic tank and dosing tank.
Staging of materials and construction equipment would occur within school-owned parcels. Site preparation and grading would be required; however, no trees would be removed.
Contact Information
Name
Kathleen Andoe-Nolind
Agency Name
Palermo Union School District
Job Title
Superintendent
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Honcut (unincorporated)
Counties
Butte
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
School Street, Palermo-Honcut Highway, East Street
Zip
95968
Total Acres
1.53
Parcel #
028-073-001, 028-073-014, 028-073-003
Township
17N
Range
4E
Section
16
Base
MDM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3: Class 2, §15302; Class 3, §15303; Class 4, §15304
Reasons for Exemption
The project is consistent with the categorical exemptions noted above because work would consist of the replacement of the existing well, distribution line, and septic tank, construction of new small structures, relocating the leach field, and minor alterations to the land. Although trenching would occur, the ground surface would be restored following construction. No mature trees would be removed, and no expansion of the District’s water system would occur. No wetlands or other waters are present on the project site.
As documented in the NOE, the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances; would not result in damage to scenic resources within a scenic highway; is not located on a hazardous waste site pursuant to §65962.5 of the Government Code; would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource; and would not result in cumulative impacts.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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