The existing Sutter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant operates in the lower portion. The expansion area proposed for a new, enlarged tertiary treatment plant is immediately above. Photo by: Jerry Budrick

The Amador Regional Sanitation Authority's concept of treating wastewater at a single, centralized plant has been bouncing around the county for 30 years, but the reality may be in sight.

ARSA controls the system of pipes, reservoirs and siphons through which the wastewater treated in the Sutter Creek plant flows on its way to the tertiary treatment plant in Ione and the fairways and greens of Castle Oaks Golf Course.

At Monday night's meeting of the Sutter Creek City Council, approval was given to a contractual arrangement between the city and the Amador Water Agency to share the costs of upgrades for the Sutter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is a major step along the way to a possible partnership between the two entities, which could lead to the emergence of the plant as an ipso facto regional wastewater treatment plant.

A number of factors have contributed to the present situation, most notably explosive growth in Martell and the possibility of approval of the Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort project.

Capacity of the Sutter Creek treatment plant is 360,000 gallons per day and flow rates have been approaching that level. Additional development is expected in Martell, effluent from which will be added to the considerable flow from that unincorporated area into the plant. Martell is in the service area of the AWA.

By terms of the "rate sheet" between the entities, the AWA and the city of Sutter Creek will contribute $750,000 each to bring the capacity of the plant up to 480,000 gpd. The resultant increase of 120,000 gpd will be split equally between the two.

The wild card in the deck is Gold Rush, which is mentioned in the fine print of the rate sheet. Although the sheet presented Monday night was not a final draft, the intent was fairly clear that Gold Rush will be involved in the financing of both the upgrade and a new plant, if/when one becomes necessary.

The intersection of Old Sutter Hill Road and Ridge Road is about to undergo a major makeover. Plans call for moving the intersection 240 feet to the east of the existing location.

The proposed project is intended to alleviate the dangerous situation created by traffic backing up westbound on Ridge Road at Highway 49 to a point past Old Sutter Hill Road. An added benefit of the project is realignment of the intersection to a 90 degree angle.

An Architectural Review Committee is going to be established for Sutter Creek. The committee will be comprised of five members; eight residents have submitted letter of interest in serving on the committee.

The subtle gold letters on the award-winning Kathleen Lynch-designed wall in the park at the southern end of the Highway 49 bypass will be turning antique white soon.

During public matters not on the agenda, Ray Brusatori requested that the city form a parks commission.

Resident Ed Swift approached the podium to suggest that the city recognize the loss of prominent citizen Aldo Pinotti. Pinotti was formerly the mayor of Sutter Creek, as well as a lifelong member of the Italian Benevolent Society, Sutter Creek Lions Club, Christmas Committee and the American Legion. He died Sept. 22 at the age of 88.