HydroCore Engineering

Funding Application Assistance

Small water systems often lack the financial capacity to pay for capital improvements from their rate revenue. We help systems identify and secure grants and low-interest loans for eligible projects. We provide technical support through each step of the application process, including:

• DWSRF planning and construction applications
• USDA Rural Development planning and construction applications
• Urgent Drinking Water Needs applications
• Other federal, state, and local funding programs

Regulatory Compliance Assistance

We help water systems resolve compliance issues with the local environmental health department or the State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW). Services include:

• Emergency and disaster response plans
• Drought contingency and water conservation plans
• Electronic Annual Reports (eAR)
• Technical, Managerial, and Financial (TMF) assessments
• Vulnerability assessments
• Water supply permit applications and amendments

Environmental and Permitting Assistance

We prepare and file CEQA Notices of Exemption for exempt projects. For projects that require Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, or NEPA documents, we coordinate with qualified environmental firms and manage the process through approval. We also prepare applications for project permits, including encroachment, well construction, well destruction, and other permits.

Systemwide Planning Documents

Systemwide planning documents evaluate the entire water system rather than a single facility. They assess asset condition, system capacity, and future demand, then define prioritized, cost-estimated projects for rehabilitation, replacement, and expansion. We prepare:

• Asset management plans
• Capital improvement plans
• Water master plans

Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies evaluate technical and economic alternatives for solving a specific system problem. Alternatives are compared on capital cost, O&M cost, constructability, and regulatory compliance to identify the most feasible solution. Common studies include:

• Physical and managerial consolidation
• Water supply alternatives, such as new wells, interties, or source rehabilitation
• Water quality and treatment alternatives, such as blending or treatment
• Storage, pressure, and fire flow alternatives
• Pipeline replacement and system improvement alternatives

Preliminary Engineering

Preliminary engineering defines the recommended project and sets the basis for final design and funding. It documents existing conditions, deficiencies, alternatives, and an opinion of probable cost. Our work includes:

• Preliminary engineering reports (PERs)
• Preliminary design drawings (30% design)
• Technical memorandums
• Opinions of probable construction cost

Hydraulic Modeling and Analysis

We develop and calibrate hydraulic models of the distribution system to evaluate pressure, flow, fire flow, and water quality under existing and future demand. Models identify deficiencies, test proposed improvements before design, and support planning, regulatory compliance, and long-term capital decisions.

GIS Mapping

We map transmission and distribution mains, tanks, pumps, PRVs, valves, hydrants, meters and other critical facilities using GPS field data collection and Esri software. We digitize old as-built drawings and record maps onto cloud-based interactive platforms that system staff can easily update. The data can be exported to other formats and used in hydraulic models. The GIS also becomes the foundation for asset management and capital improvement programs, linking condition assessments and risk rankings to priority projects.