Planada Community Services District Water Supply Improvements Project

The Planada Community Services District Water Supply Improvements Project in Merced County, California, is a comprehensive infrastructure initiative designed to enhance water reliability, meet peak hour demands, and ensure adherence to water quality standards. The scope of work includes the installation of approximately 26,590 linear feet of new 16-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch C900 water mains and the replacement of approximately 1,120 customer meters with 1-inch Badger E-Series Ultrasonic Meters. Additionally, the project involves the development of a 1.4-acre property featuring a new groundwater well, a 750,000-gallon elevated welded carbon-steel water storage tank, and a ground-mounted solar PV system to provide power for the well and storage tank. The project has undergone a rigorous environmental review process in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, resulting in a Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted on September 25, 2025. This determination concluded that environmental impacts are less than significant provided that specific mitigation measures for biological and cultural resources are implemented. Regulatory oversight includes requirements from the State Water Resources Control Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and local air district permits. Administrative leadership for the project is provided by District Manager Alan Vera, with planning support from Crawford & Bowen Planning, Inc.