CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. WC00020-P185
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES
CONTACT: Anita Luera, Project Manager
City of Fresno – Capital Projects Department
747 R Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-621-8834
Email:
[email protected]
PROJECT TITLE: Wellhead Treatment Improvements at
Pump Station 185
PROJECT LOCATIONS:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Wellhead treatment improvem ents at existing Pump Station 185 including construction of an aeration tank
and installation of a booste r pump, interconnecting
piping, and associated electr ical and instrumentation
lines to improve the system's performance, efficiency, and water quality.
This project is exempt under Section( s) 15301 Class 1 & 15303 Class 3 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
Class 1 exemptions, for projects pertaining to Existing Facilities, consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. Examples include, but are not limited to, existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewage, or other public utility services.
Class 3 exemptions, for projects involving new construction or conversion of small structures, include the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and utility extensions, including electric, water, and sewer, of reasonable length to serve such construction. Examples include but are not limited to water main extensions, utility service connections, and small utility buildings.
Pump Station 185 is an existing potable water fa cility that supplies drinking water to the City of Fresno’s municipal distribution syst em, supporting residential, commercial, and fire-protection demands. The proposed project would construct a new aeration tank and City of Fresno Council District 6
instrumentation components withi n the existing pump station site. The purpose of the project is to improve water quality, system performance, and operational efficiency. The project would not increase the facility’s existing capacity, footprint, or operational purpose and would remain consistent with current use of the site.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply:
(a) Location The Project is not located in a sensitive environment or an environmental resource of hazardous or critical
concern as designated by federal, state, or local
agencies. The work is entirely located within the
existing Pump Station 185 facility with only minor
impact on the right of way.
(b) Cumulative Impact The Project will not have a cumulative negative impact over time that is significant. The Project
merely entails improvement work within an existing
facility.
(c) Significant Effect The Project will not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. All work
will be limited to an existing facility.
(d) Scenic Highways The Project will not result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources,
within a highway official ly designated as a state
scenic highway. The Project is not located near
scenic highways.
(e) Hazardous Waste Sites The Project is not located on a hazardous waste site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to
Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
(f) Historical Resources The Project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
The existing facilities at the Pump Station 185 site
are not considered historical resources.
Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
Prepared by: Anita Luera Date: February 27, 2026
Submitted by:
install a booster pump, interconnecting proc ess piping, and associated electrical and