West Sacramento unlocks $2.25m for emergency filter-media replacement
City of West Sacramento Public Works, California · Meeting date: November 4, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
The City Council has authorized continued emergency replacement of degrading filter media at the George Kristoff Water Treatment Plant, where staff say the affected filters could stop working within two to 10 months. The work is being undertaken by sole-source supplier Calgon Carbon Corporation.
Key points
- Council approved Resolution 26-97, allowing emergency work with Calgon Carbon Corporation to continue beyond November 4.
- A $2.25 million CIP budget transfer will fund the work, drawing on allocations for water tank cathodic-protection assessment, water-treatment building and pipe painting, and pump and motor evaluation.
- Staff detected lower flows, shorter filter runs, longer backwashes and black-tinted backwash water during routine maintenance in September.
- Calgon Carbon is the sole-source manufacturer of the Filtrasorb 816 media installed at the plant.
Full report
West Sacramento City Council has approved the continuation of emergency work to replace failing filter media at the George Kristoff Water Treatment Plant, moving $2.25 million into the project budget as staff seek to avoid a loss of treatment capacity.
The council adopted Resolution 26-97 for the emergency contract with Calgon Carbon Corporation, allowing work to continue beyond the November 4 meeting. The city has used Calgon Carbon because it is the sole-source manufacturer of the Filtrasorb 816 filter media used at the plant.
The emergency emerged from routine maintenance in September, when plant staff identified lower water flow and discolouration linked to degradation of the media. Filter runs had shortened despite steady source-water quality and flow, while backwashing took longer and produced water with a black tint. Staff said the changes indicated that the granular media was breaking down into powder.
Filter-media specialists advised that the affected filters could cease operating completely within two to 10 months, depending on flow rates and residential use. City staff said a prompt replacement was needed to maintain the plant’s ability to provide clean water.
The approved budget amendment transfers $500,000 from CIP 22069, Water Tank Cathodic Protection Assessment; $750,000 from CIP 22073, Water Treatment Building & Pipe Painting; and $1 million from CIP 22077, Water Pump Stations Pump & Motor Evaluation. The funds will be moved to CIP 22063, Actiflow Improvements, where replacement costs will be charged.
The three source projects had a combined available budget of $2.48 million, according to staff. Replacement of the filters had not been included in either the capital programme or operations budget because the manufacturer’s estimated life for the current filters was 15 years; they have been in service for 10 years.
The city found the work exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review under the emergency-repair provisions for service facilities needed to maintain essential public health, safety or welfare services.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Regular Meeting, City of West Sacramento Public Works