2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

What is the purpose of the IRP process?

The primary purpose of the IRP process is for the GBWC to provide, analyze and establish priorities to ensure that it meets all Nevada Administrative Code compliance standards of service. The IRP considers how the utility will be able to accommodate future growth and changes within its service territory for the next one to three years (“Action Plan”) and for a twenty-year (“Preferred Plan”) planning period.

The IRP provides a list of projects GBWC is recommending for review and acceptance and a framework to establish priorities for water conservation. In setting the priorities for the IRP, GBWC balances the operational objectives of minimizing cost to rate payers, mitigating demand risk, and maximizing service reliability to customers.

What is the value of the IRP process for GBWC and its customers?

The IRP is a key exercise performed every three years to review past, current, and future projects and evaluate system conditions. This review allows GBWC to plan for the immediate and long-term future of its utilities. The near-term planning gives GBWC an opportunity to understand and prioritize the infrastructure, refurbishment, replacement, and upgrades that will be needed to reliably provide clean and safe drinking water to its customers, and to discharge clean water to the environment.
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2024 Integrated Resource Plan Projects by Division

Pahrump Division

a) System Interconnect Project: This project is a pipeline tie-in project to consolidate the Calvada Meadows system with the Calvada Valley system.
    o Estimated Cost: $2.7 million
b) Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 – Influent Pre-EQ Building and Tank Rehabilitation: This project would focus on rehabilitating the existing tanks within the Pre-EQ Building. Rehabilitation would extend the useful life of the tanks and includes the walls, supports, doors, hardware, concrete walkways, and miscellaneous metal.
    o Estimated Cost: $2.2 million
c) Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 – Sand Filter Rehabilitation: This project consists of rehabilitating the sand filters in order to optimize performance and extend the useful life of the three sand filters at WWTP #3. GBWC may also conduct a Preliminary Engineering Report to vet any other technologies or options to make sure that a rehabilitation is the best option for GBWC and the customer needs.
    o Estimated Cost: $1.1 million

Spring Creek Division

a) New Production Well (Well 12 Replacement): Well 12 has had issues with the pumping water level causing problems which lowers water production. This project is critical for continuing to meet production demand.
    o Estimated Cost: $1.5 million
b) Annual Pipeline Replacement Project (All Tracts): The pipeline replacement project entails replacing pipe that is undersized, subject to frequent breaks and leaks, and/or has poor condition ratings. This project will help increase fire flow protection.
    o Estimated Cost: $1.5 million per year allocated for all Tracts
c) High Tank Replacement: The existing tank would be removed and replaced with a new 500,000-gallon bolted steel tank. The project is critical for meeting fire flow storage requirements.
    o Estimated Cost: $1.1 million
d) WWTP Lift Station Rehabilitation: The interior of the concrete wet well for this Wastewater Treatment Plant Lift Station is showing signs of deterioration and rehabilitation is needed to mitigate corrosion damage, protect the concrete from further deterioration, and extend the service life of the structure.
    o Estimated Cost: $288,000
e) SCADA Wastewater Upgrades (Tract 100): The current Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is limited in its functionality. An upgraded system is needed for better monitoring, historical data, remote control of wastewater equipment, which could reduce the need for physical inspections.
    o Estimated Cost: $100,000

Cold Springs Division

a) Tank 1 Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is necessary for aging tanks to keep them in good condition. Allowing the tanks to deteriorate into poor condition increased the risk of a failure which would compromise the entire water system.
    o Estimated Cost: $600,000
b) Tank 2 Replacement: Tank 2 is past its useful life and in very poor condition. A new 420,000-gallon storage tank would be constructed to replace the existing water tank, which assists with fire storage and pressures in Pressure Zone 2.
    o Estimated Cost: $1.1 million

Spanish Springs Division

a) Rehabilitation of Suki Well (Well 2): Rehabilitation is needed due to the condition of the well casing which is nearing the end of its service life. This project is critical in order to extend the life of the well and maintain the current service area production capacity and meet customer demand.
    o Estimated Cost: $500,000
b) Rehabilitation of Tank 2 (Interior and Exterior): Based on the age of the tank, both interior and exterior reconditioning is recommended to help preserve and extend the tank integrity. This project is critical for maintaining the tank integrity and upholding the necessary storage capacity for the Spanish Springs Division.
    o Estimated Cost: $443,000
c) AMI Meter Replacement: An Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System doesn’t require utility personnel to collect the data. Instead, the system automatically transmits the data directly to the utility, freeing up valuable time for operators to conduct other critical activities. The transition will occur over a 3-year period.
    o Estimated Cost: $283,000

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) Staff and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) carefully review the proposed projects for each division. PUCN makes the final determination of which projects can be constructed.