TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Water Discharge and License Agreement, including any other necessary documents or subsequent amendments, with the Water Replenishment District, a public agency that operates the Leo J. Vander Lans Advanced Water Treatment Facility, to grant the Water Replenishment District permission to discharge backflushed water from the Leo J. Vander Lans Advanced Water Treatment Facility’s injection well onto the City of Long Beach site that is planned to become The El Dorado Storm Water Capture Project. (District 4)
DISCUSSION
The Water Replenishment District’s (WRD) Leo J. Vander Lans Advanced Water Treatment Facility (LVL) is located in the City of Long Beach (City) and can produce up to eight million gallons of advanced treated recycled water per day. LVL also provides advanced treated water for injection at the Alamitos Seawater Barrier in Long Beach, playing a vital role in protecting the Central Groundwater Basin from seawater intrusion, in addition to providing high-quality water to replenish the groundwater supply. As part of the water treatment process, LVL is currently in need of a site to discharge backflushed water from the LVL’s injection well. In late 2022, WRD approached the City’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to discuss the potential use of the City’s undeveloped site north of LVL’s facility to discharge their backflushed water into the City’s existing storm drain system.
The City is in the design phase of the El Dorado Regional Stormwater Capture Project (Project) which will entail the development of an expansive 10.3-acre-foot treatment vegetated pond system consisting of a series of three hydraulically connected pools located at the open parcel north of the LVL and South of Willow Street (Attachment A). Both dry and wet weather flows from the Artesia-Norwalk Drain will be intercepted, treated, and partially captured prior to discharge to the Coyote Creek.
Due to the Project’s proximity to WRD’s treatment facility, there is a unique opportunity for the City to enter into a Water Discharge and License Agreement with WRD in order for the Project to be designed to receive backflushed water from WRD’s treatment facility’s injection well. In addition to meeting WRD’s water discharging needs, the Project stands to benefit from receiving LVL’s water. In collaboration with the City Attorney, an agreement between the City and WRD has been drafted.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Vanessa S. Ibarra on October 6, 2023 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on September 27, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 24, 2023, to ensure the agreement is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eric Lopez
Public Works
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER