The owner of the site that at one time produced float glass for Ford and other automotive companies has abandoned its rights to a section of pipeline that provided discharge from the facility to the San Joaquin River.

Last month the Lathrop City Council approved a resolution that accepted a quitclaim deed from Reynolds and Brown that gave up their rights to a portion of the pipeline that took storm drain water from its facility under I-5 and out to the San Joaquin River. The decision came just as the city begins looking for possible locations for a force main that will allow for treated wastewater from the Combined Treatment Facility to the San Joaquin River.

The facility, which was purchased in 2015 after it ceased operation as a glass plant by a developer that was worked to convert into an industrial warehouse has undergone somewhat of a transformation since it changed hands, serves as a temporary holding site for thousands of Tesla cars that were sent to be stored from the Fremont factory. Tesla has since constructed a nearly 800,000 square foot building directly behind the facility in addition to its expanded parts production facility in the Crossroads Business Park.

While the company that owns the facility would be responsible for removing the pipeline if requested by the city, the quitclaim deed allows for Lathrop to potentially utilize section of the pipeline that are not directly on the property and absolves the owners from any liabilities for off-site issues along the section from Tesla Drive to Harlan Road.

The section of the pipeline from Harlan Road under I-5 and out to the San Joaquin River was purchased by River Islands in 2005 along with other property from then-owner Libbey-Owens-Ford.

The city is currently unsure whether the existing pipeline is suitable for the purpose of serving as a force main to transport treated water out to the river and will require further inspection. If the pipes are in decent shape the city will have the option of utilizing them within its plans or will be able to remove the pipes and replace them with modern, reliable piping in the same location.

Lathrop has been working to secure a river discharge permit from the Regional Water Quality Control Board which will allow the city to discharge it’s treated wastewater directly into the river instead of having to apply it to spray fields as it currently does. Work on that project is ongoing.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.