HOLLISTER, Calif. — The Hollister City Council voted 4-1 on Oct. 20 to approve a regional water agreement that formally adds San Juan Bautista to the San Benito urban area water plan, a multi-jurisdictional effort to improve water quality and store surface water for drought years.

City staff and partner agencies described the package as a regional approach that combines surface-water deliveries, treatment-plant upgrades and underground storage wells to increase drought resiliency and reduce salts in the groundwater basin. The plan includes an expansion of the West Hills water treatment plant, several new wells and pipelines and an aquifer recharge ("A DROP") storage program to capture wet‑year surface water for later use.

The agreement’s overall capital estimate discussed at the meeting was about $50 million, and presenters said approximately $20 million of that amount has already been secured in grant funding. Staff described financing as shared among participating agencies; one target in presentations was a per-household cost goal in the range of $50 per year, depending on final allocations.

David Dickinson, identified during public comment as general manager of the county water district, said the city’s financial share would be reduced by a buy‑in credit and described the city’s obligation as being “closer to the $12,000,000 range” after credits. (Paraphrase of his explanation during public comment.)

Council discussion touched on technical and policy points: how the program blends higher‑quality surface water with existing groundwater to reduce salinity and regulatory risks, ownership and operation of treatment facilities, and whether the regional storage could be used to support future development. Staff and the district clarified that the project’s intent is to store and move water already allocated to the region and to improve water quality and compliance with waste discharge requirements set by state regulators.

Opponents raised concerns that adding storage capacity and expanded service areas could make it easier to serve new development and shift costs to ratepayers; supporters said the project is a practical way to protect an aquifer under shared stress and to avoid higher spot-market water prices in drought years.

The council vote recorded Vice Mayor Pache, Council Member Deanda and Mayor Stevens in favor; Council Member Resendiz cast the lone no. Council Member Morales voted with the majority. Staff said the agreement replaces or updates prior terms to include San Juan Bautista and to align the partners’ responsibilities.

What happens next: staff will finalize implementation steps and financing schedules with partner agencies. Presenters said additional project design and funding actions remain, and that bond sales or district rate charges will be used to allocate the remaining costs among partners.

Why it matters: the agreement aims to reduce salt loading in local groundwater, improve recycled-water quality, and create stored surface water that the city can retrieve in drought years rather than buying expensive water on the open market.

A note on figures: meeting presenters used several rounded and preliminary numbers during the discussion. The council’s approval commits the city to the agreement’s terms as negotiated; final cost shares and precise fiscal obligations will be reflected in subsequent implementing documents and financing actions.