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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - Groundwater Replenishment SystemCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 3 April 24, 2007 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Utilities George Murdoch, Acting Utilities Director 949- 718 -3400 or gmurdoch @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM, A JOINT EFFORT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2007- reaffirming support for the Groundwater Replenishment System, a joint effort of the Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District. BACKGROUND: On August 23, 1999, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9111 supporting the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), a joint project of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OSCD). The (GWRS) will produce a new supply of high quality water that will replenish the Orange County groundwater basin and will expand the OCWD seawater intrusion barrier to protect the groundwater basin from sea water intrusion. DISCUSSION: The OCWD and OCSD in cooperation with the .United States Bureau of Reclamation (USRB) are nearing completion of the construction of the Groundwater Replenishment System. The Groundwater Replenishment System would take treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District currently discharged into the ocean and would undergo advanced water treatment that would include microfiltration, reverse osmosis and disinfection. The purified water would be of exceptional quality and would exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. The project will provide reliable, local water supply for groundwater replenishment, groundwater protection from seawater intrusion, landscape irrigation and industrial areas; reduce ocean discharges; decrease Resolution Reaffirming Support of the Groundwater Replenishment System April 24, 2007 Page 2 reliance on expensive and undependable water purchases; and help drought -proof Orange County. Environmental Review: This action requires no environmental review. Funding Availability: There is no financial impact in adopting the resolution reaffirming support for the Groundwater Replenishment System. Prepared by: C':j G. oAto Cindy A. her Administ ive Manager Attachment: Resolution Submitted by: ("I � ie�OZ Geor M doch Acting Utilities Director Resolution Reaffirming Support of the Groundwater Replenishment System April 24, 2007 Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2007- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH REAFFIRMING SUPPORT OF THE GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM A JOINT EFFORT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH HEREBY RESOLVES, DETERMINES, AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS, within the next 20 years, Orange County's population is expected to increase by more than 15 percent, Orange County's need for safe, reliable drinking water also will increase. We must find innovative ways to secure a safe, new and locally - controlled alternate sources of high quality water; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) have found a cost- effective solution to future water needs with a supplemental water purification project, known as the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System; and WHEREAS, the GWR System will take highly treated sewer water from the Orange County Sanitation District that is currently sent to the ocean and purify it to near - distilled quality water using the state -of- the -art technologies of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet and hydrogen peroxide disinfection; and WHEREAS, the GWR System will produce a new supply of water that will expand our seawater barrier to protect our groundwater basin from ocean contamination, and also help replenish our groundwater basin, minimizing the impacts of future droughts; and WHEREAS, the GWRS System will produce near - distilled quality water using less energy than is required to import water from Northern California; and WHEREAS, the GWR System is environmentally sound and reuses a precious resource — water — in an arid, drought -prone region; and Resolution Reaffirming Support of the Groundwater Replenishment System April 24, 2007 Page 4 WHEREAS, the GWR System is also diversifying our water supply portfolio with a new, reliable and locally - controlled source of high quality water that is cheaper than future imported water; and WHEREAS, GWR System water will be available regardless of rainfall levels or drought conditions to help support our growing economy and enviable lifestyle; and WHEREAS, the GWR System is a model water project for other communities throughout the United States and around the world, and the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District are recognized as innovative leaders in water reuse — be it; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Newport Beach hereby SUPPORTS the Groundwater Replenishment System and the efforts of the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District to identify and develop alternative sources for safe, reliable water supplies for Orange County's future. Adopted this day of Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk 2007.