EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 4, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Humza Javed, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Informational Report on Water Quality
Recommendation
Receive and File
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 5: Improve Communication and Enhance Community Engagement Priority No. 6: Create a Healthy and Safe Community
Background
Over the course of the last several weeks, there have been a few articles regarding Nuestra Casa’s work around tap water quality in East Palo Alto. Nuestra Casa’s work was part of a larger effort led by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. The purpose of this report is to provide factual information about the City’s water quality and clarify some of the public’s concerns about the City water system.
The City is also planning a public meeting around the City’s water system on November 17th where more detail about the City water system will be provided. More information to follow in the upcoming weeks.
Analysis
There are three (3) water purveyors within the City of East Palo Alto (O’Connor Tract, Palo Alto Mutual, City/Veolia).
The City of East Palo Alto receives its water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The source of the water from SFPUC is from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is considered a very high-quality water source due to low total dissolved solid (TDS) concentrations and other factors. It is among the cleanest and best tasting water in the State.
Also, this is the same source for agencies such as Palo Alto, Mountain View and other agencies in the Bay area. Veolia is the City’s water operator and manages the City water system on its behalf.
The City’s water systems services the majority of the City, or about 2.5 square miles, and approximately 4,200 residential, commercial and industrial customers, which accounts for approximately 93 percent of the water customers within the City limits. Other portions of the City are served by two mutual water companies: (1) Palo Alto Park Mutual Water Company (PAPMWC), and (2) O’Connor Tract Cooperative (O’Conner), which provide water to the remaining seven percent of water customers living in the City. PAPMWC operates five groundwater wells, serving 650 residences; and O’Connor operates two wells in Menlo Park, serving approximately 300 residences. Because PAPMWC and O’Connor receive their water from local wells rather than from SFPUC, there is a difference in water taste.
The City’s water operator, Veolia is responsible for ensuring water quality meets state standards. Veolia checks water quality on a daily basis and provides monthly reports to the State. Annual consumer confidence reports are also issued and posted for transparency.
Because the water as it is received from SFPUC needs to pass through an old water distribution system (pipes) owned by the City as well as aged private laterals owned privately by the residents, water may become discolored when it is exposed to old rusted iron pipes.
Homeowners are responsible for the condition of fixtures and water laterals on private property which connects to the City water system. When water is exposed to old fixtures and sits in laterals on private property for extended periods of time, this may also be a cause for discolored water and unpleasant taste. Any issues with water taste/color should be reported to Veolia and they will investigate.
Water System Upgrades
The City has made progress on upgrading its water system over the last several years as follows:
1. Installed over 2,700 linear feet of water line along Bay Road and Pulgas Avenue;
2. Replaced over 1,600 water meters throughout the City with a plan to replace an additional 2,400 water meters City wide by 2025;
3. Increased water supply from 1.9MGD to 3.46MGD in 2018;
4. Upgraded the water turnout at O’Brien for additional flow capacity;
5. Advocated with the SFPUC to secure the fourth turnout for additional water capacity;
6. Transferred the water system lease from American Water to Veolia;
7. Secured $800k through the Federal Earmark for the O’Connor Pump Station;
8. Applied for a $13million Hazard Mitigation FEMA grant for replacement of major upgrades at the O’Connor pump station;
9. Secured $1.5 M from state earmark for water pipe system upgrade to support the 965 Weeks Street affordable housing project;
10.Completed the Water Asset Management plan;
11.Completed the Urban Water Management Plan;
12.Completed the 2022 Water System Master Plan (to be adopted by City Council on 10/04/22);
13.Constructed the Gloria Way Well;
14.Designed multiple water main projects including:
· Water main replacement on Jervis, Menalto, Gonzaga;
· University/Cooley Ave. 12” watermain;
· Purdue 16” watermain;
· Demeter waterline loop;
· Woodland Avenue watermain gap;
· Pad D Groundwater well;
15.Partnered with Light Tree Apartments for the construction of a water tank on the Pad D site;
16.Negotiated a 1.5MG water tank with Woodland Park (City Council to consider this item on 10/04/22); and
17.On 10/4/22, the City Council will consider approximately $8.5 M in new funding commitments that will pay for two significant infrastructure projects and the cost to design three future projects.
Water Quality Updates
As the City’s water operator, Veolia manages the City’s water system and ensures compliance with state standards. The following is an update on Veolia’s actions pertaining to water testing and water quality:
· Water quality is checked daily at all of the water receiving stations as well as key locations throughout the City;
· Weekly coliform sampling at 13 locations as part of the City’s Bacteriological site sampling plan;
· Monthly water quality reporting to the State;
· Monthly nitrification tests city-wide;
· Quarterly TTHA and HAA tests for carcinogens at 4 locations city-wide; · Regular main line flushing to clear out water mains;
· Annual Consumer confidence reporting.
According to the data Veolia provides to the State, there have not been any violations pertaining to the City’s water quality.
Veolia has also assisted the City in the State of California Water Arrearage Program which was in place to assist customers catch up on utility bills during COVID. Veolia, on behalf of the City, applied for these funds and was awarded the grant. A total of $180,357.71 was passed on to 232 accounts throughout the City which included 228 residential accounts and 4 commercial accounts which had been delinquent on their water bills.
Furthermore, Veolia is participating in the Low-income home water assistance program (LIHWAP) which is another state funded program for low-income households who are past-due on their water bills.
<https://www.eastpaloaltowater.com/pages/community-safety/low-income-home-waterassistance-program-lihwap/> Additional Community Outreach
Staff will host a community meeting on November 17th where members of the community can attend to learn more about the City’s water system, the City’s relationship with the SFPUC and BAWSCA, and how the City works closely with Veolia to operate the water system. Staff will provide more details on the meeting such as the location and start time in a few weeks.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal Impact with this report
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo Co. Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.