TO: City Council DATE: December 08, 2025 DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Chantell O’Neal, Assistant Director of Engineering PRESENTER: City Staff and HDR
AGENDA TITLE: Receive, Approve, and File the 2025 Water Distribution System Master Plan, City Project No. WTR00023, Report by HDR
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept and file the Water Distribution System Master Plan prepared by HDR Engineering, Inc., and direct staff to incorporate its recommendations into the City’s Capital Improvement Program and long‑range planning efforts.
BACKGROUND
In January 2023, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to prepare the Water Distribution System Master Plan (City Project No. WTR00023). The purpose of the plan was to evaluate the City’s treated water distribution system, identify deficiencies, and prioritize improvements to ensure resiliency, reliability, and capacity for current and future demand. HDR was selected based on qualifications and prior successful work with the City, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant overhaul and Water Treatment Plant upgrade.
Since that time, HDR has worked closely with City staff to complete mapping, hydraulic modeling, and risk analysis of the system. The final Master Plan is now complete and ready for Council consideration.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Master Plan provides a comprehensive assessment of the City’s water distribution infrastructure, including mapping, hydraulic modeling, and risk analysis.
Key outcomes include:
Identification of critical replacement projects for aging pipelines and facilities.
Prioritized Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) recommendations with phasing through 2040.
Strategies for system resiliency against seismic, fire, and drought risks.
Evaluation of growth and redevelopment impacts on system capacity.
Adoption of the plan will allow staff to confidently pursue funding opportunities and align projects with General Plan policies on Public Facilities and Safety. Council acceptance does not obligate immediate construction but establishes a framework for budgeting, grant applications, and systematic project delivery.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
Preparation of the Master Plan was funded through the Water Enterprise Fund, with $850,000 budgeted in FY 2022/23. The HDR contract amount was $818,505, leaving a balance of $31,495. Adoption of the plan itself has no direct fiscal impact. Future projects identified in the plan will require separate appropriations and may be eligible for state and federal funding programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Acceptance of the Master Plan is categorically exempt under CEQA as a planning study pursuant to §15262. Any future projects will undergo projectspecific environmental review.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY Consistent with General Plan Element 3 (Public Facilities) and Element 7 (Safety). Supports Council priorities for infrastructure resiliency, water reliability, and sustainable growth.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Outreach was primarily technical (consultant coordination, staff workshops).
Broader community engagement will occur during implementation phases of specific projects.
COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
ALTERNATIVES:
Accept the Master Plan as presented.
Request revisions or additional analysis prior to adoption.
Decline adoption, which would leave the City without a current planning framework for water distribution improvements.
ATTACHMENTS:
Final Water Distribution System Master Plan (HDR, 2025) Water Distribution System Master Plan Presentation
NOTIFICATION:
HDR Engineering, Inc.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8A
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT