City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: James Pease, Public Works Director
Date: 08/11/2026
Subject: Triple M Enterprises, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Triple M Enterprises, Inc. to perform restoration work at the Waste Water Treatment Plant disposal ponds, in the not to exceed amount of $49,760 (funding source: Sewer Enterprise Capital Fund).
BACKGROUND:
The City of Ripon currently discharges treated wastewater effluent under a Waste Discharge Requirement Order, which was issued in 1994 and is monitored by the State. This permit allows the City to discharge treated effluent by percolating the water into the soil at the 7 disposal ponds located east of Jack Tone Golf Course.
The disposal ponds were impacted by the high volume of rain experienced in late 2022/early 2023. During this time, the rate of percolation was significantly reduced from what had previously been experienced. Additionally, the rain increased the volume of water that needed to be percolated into the soil. In order to mitigate this issue and prevent an unregulated release of treated sewer effluent, the City Council approved the following actions:
1. In March 2023 under an emergency contract, the height of the levee surrounding the 7 disposal ponds was increased to allow for additional storage.
2. Once the weather allowed, individual ponds were emptied and the top 4 inches of material at the bottom of disposal ponds that was impacting the percolation rate was removed and the pond was deep ripped. To date, this has been completed in 6 of the 7 disposal ponds.
This work has restored the typical percolation rate of the disposal ponds.
DISCUSSION:
Staff requested a proposal from Triple M Enterprises, Inc. to remove the upper four inches of accumulated material and deep rip the final one of the seven disposal ponds. The total cost for this work is $49,760.
Looking ahead, staff is evaluating electronic monitoring and tracking technologies to more accurately measure percolation rates over time. The data collected will enable staff to identify performance trends and determine when maintenance or soil treatment is needed to restore percolation capacity within each disposal pond. In addition, the upcoming sludge removal project will improve water quality and help maintain optimal percolation rates by preventing accumulated sludge in the treated water from reducing the soil’s ability to percolate water efficiently.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the agreement with Triple M Enterprises, Inc. and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract to perform restoration work at the Wastewater Treatment Plant disposal ponds in an amount not to exceed $49,760.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The attached contract with Triple M Enterprises, Inc. for the amount of $49,760 will be paid for through the Sewer Enterprise Capital Fund.
Attachments:
1. Pond Restoration Project - 2026