FAQs

Why is the Banner Cascade Pipeline Project needed?
The Lower Cascade Canal and Upper Grass Valley Canal are critical links in NID’s water system conveying untreated, raw water to irrigation customers and to water treatment plants in Grass Valley and Nevada City where it is treated into drinking water for distribution to residential customers. The Lower Cascade Canal is a canal system that is over 100 years old and currently delivers raw water to the Loma Rica treatment plant in Grass Valley. When flowing full, it is limited to a flow of about 45 cubic feet of water per second (cfs) which does not meet the projected demands for water within NID’s service area defined in accordance with the County’s General Plan.

The Upper Grass Valley Canal diverts part of the Lower Cascade Canal flows to the Elizabeth George treatment plant in Nevada City. NID has serious concerns about the stability of the historic canals’ banks when regularly running at full capacity, as well as the reliability of continuing to provide raw water to current customers; a major canal failure would seriously impact NID’s customers. The decision to construct a new pipeline capable of conveying about 95 cfs as our primary conveyance method has been made to ensure continued raw water conveyance to current and future customers while also keeping the old canals in service as local feeders at 2 to 10 cfs and in turn preserving it as a historical, cultural, scenic and recreational amenity.

How will the project affect my property?
Construction drawings are available for your review on the Document page. They are listed by neighborhood and include information on the actual pipeline design plan, environmental mitigations, traffic plan, and other details pertaining to the area. For additional information on currently active construction which may affect your property, see the construction update on the Schedule page. The construction update will let you know what activities are expected in your neighborhood this week as well as four weeks ahead. Traffic plans and additional notices are also listed there for your convenience. If you still have questions, call one of our ombudspeople; they can keep you informed on the latest construction activities. Their contact information is listed on the Contacts page.

Who do I call if I have a problem with the construction activities?
Please call an Ombudsperson for your initial contact with NID. Hugh Gordon and Sarah Rohde have been hired to explain the construction process to the residents, hear your concerns and/or complaints, and resolve them in a timely manner. If your situation requires immediate action, Hugh and Sarah will notify the appropriate personnel at NID on your behalf. Their contact information is listed on the Contacts page. Both Ombudspeople look forward to hearing from you. If you are unable to achieve resolution through an ombudsperson, please contact NID’s Project Manager or Chief Engineer.

How long will I have to wait in traffic due to construction activities?
Flaggers will get you through the construction zone as quickly as safety allows, while still allowing construction activity to continue. Twenty minutes is the maximum amount of time you will wait, although most wait times will be shorter.

Will school bus service be affected?
No. NID has coordinated with Durham School Services in order to continue operating the school buses without interruption from the construction activities. Both lanes of traffic will be open until 7:35 AM, after the first bus picks students up. Clear passage for downhill traffic will be available between 7:50 and 8:10 so that students catching the second bus will arrive at the bus stop on time. For afternoon pick up, please adjust your schedule to accommodate a potential 20 minute delay. For kids walking home through the construction zone, NID has arranged for a crew member escort to keep them safe.

Will my services be disrupted during construction activities?
No. NID plans to keep all existing utilities and/or process systems in operation at all times during construction operations. No disruptions are expected for telephone, electricity, cable television, school bus, mail, garbage, or delivery services.

How long will the construction take to complete?
The entire project will take two years to complete. Construction in your neighborhood will be finished as quickly as possible to do the job safely and correctly. The construction activities in your neighborhood can be found on the construction schedule posted on the information boards and on the Schedule page. The construction schedule is updated every week and has a four week outlook. Please keep in mind that unforeseen events can make even the best plans go astray; it is NID’s intent to follow the construction schedule to the best of our abilities. Thank you in advance for your patience with the construction process.

When will construction end?
Construction will continue as long as the weather allows. Rain and cold weather conditions will cause breaks in the construction activities, but as soon weather conditions improve construction will resume. Maintenance of erosion control measures and traffic markings will be ongoing throughout the winter months.

Will I be able to get out of my driveway while construction work is on my property?
Yes. Walking egress and ingress to your property will be available when the pipeline alignment crosses the road in front of your driveway however, there may be a short wait if the area needs to be made safe first. Driving over the pipeline trench to exit and enter your property may be delayed while the construction crew installs steel plates over it. Residents may want to make arrangements with a neighbor to park on their property to avoid this potential delay.

How do I get treated water from the pipeline?
Many residents are interested in receiving treated water from this project. Contact Shannon Matteoni at NID to find out the details for getting treated water into your home. She can be reached at (530) 271-6840.

Will damage to my property caused by construction activities be repaired?
Yes. If your property is damaged during construction activities, then it will be repaired to “as good or better” condition upon completion of the project. Contact an ombudsperson and have one come take a look at your damage; Hugh or Sarah will contact NID to have them start the damage claim process. Photographs help NID determine the extent of the damage as they can be compared to the preconstruction images.

Where can I get information on the project?
Your best source of current information is to call an Ombudsperson as unforeseen events can occur during construction and the plans get altered to accommodate such events. Hugh Gordon and Sarah Rohde are familiar with the project and can answer most of your questions right away. If they need more information to properly answer your question, they will ask the appropriate personnel at NID and get back to you in a timely manner. Their contact information is listed under the Contacts page.

The Construction Update page on this website lists the expected construction plans for four weeks ahead. NID has also posted information on seven boards along the route which are updated weekly. These boards are located at the intersections of Brunswick Road and Idaho Maryland Road, at the entrance to Madrone Forest Drive, the intersection of Lee Lane and Idaho Maryland Road, at the NID tank site at Banner Lava Cap Road and Lava Cap Mine Road, at the intersection of Wings of Morning Drive and Banner Lava Cap Road, at the intersection of Wings of Morning Drive, Sesame Street, and Snowbourne Drive, and at the intersection of Red Dog Road and Red Dog Cross Road.   Additionally, NID has requested the local media to share the construction plan and traffic detours and/or delays with the public. Local homeowner’s associations have been included in our weekly distribution; ask your homeowner’s association president to contact Sarah Rohde to have your group added.

What is an ombudsperson?
An ombudsperson is a representative hired to act as a liaison between two or more parties, keeping communication clear between them. In this case, Hugh Gordon and Sarah Rohde are independent contractors retained by NID to inform the residents along the pipeline alignment of the construction plans as they progress and change. They will also hear resident concerns and/or complaints, resolve them in a timely manner, and notify the appropriate personnel at NID on the resident’s behalf if the situation requires further action. Additionally, the Ombudspeople will assist NID in monitoring the implementation of the environmental mitigation measures required for the project.  This includes notifying NID with recommendations should a problem arise.