Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Facility

Ardurra served as prime engineer and construction manager for the Pasajero Groundwater Recharge Facility, designed to capture surplus surface water for groundwater banking at a 113-acre site in Fresno County. The facility provides Westlands Water District with a reliable drought reserve, conveying water from the Coalinga Canal to multiple recharge basins via two miles of pipeline.

Key Highlights

• Completed a 50-foot deep, 600-foot jack-and-bore crossing beneath Los Gatos Creek

• Combined Airborne Electromagnetic surveying with six geotechnical borings to map subsurface conditions to 500 feet, identifying optimal recharge zones without extensive drilling

• Designed a fully solar-powered system with battery backup supporting 24/7 remote operations, eliminating a $500,000 grid connection cost

• Developed a gravity-flow conveyance system through detailed hydraulic analysis and strategic turnout relocation, conveying up to 30 cfs without a pump station

• Split work into three bid packages and accelerated design, reducing construction costs by approximately $1 million and keeping the project within grant funding limits

Innovative engineering across subsurface analysis, off-grid solar operations, and gravity-fed conveyance enabled Ardurra to deliver a resilient, cost-effective facility that strengthens long-term water security for Westlands Water District and the surrounding region.