Item 329/2024
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: William E. Murray
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 8/13/2024
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution authorizing submittal of financing and grant application by the City on behalf of the Orange County Water District for building local PFAS water treatment facilities at City’s wells. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
For City Council to adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of financing and grant application by the City on behalf of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) for building local per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water treatment facilities at City’s wells that were affected by PFAS contamination.
BACKGROUND
On April 10, 2024, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency adopted stricter regulations for PFAS and lowered the maximum contaminant levels to the following:
PFOA-4.0 ppt (parts per trillion) (lowered by 1.1 ppt) PFOS-4.0 ppt (lowered by 2.5 ppt)
This new drinking water regulation has resulted in the need for additional water PFAS water treatment facilities to be built within the next three to five years, depending on when the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopts state requirements. The sites affected by PFAS contamination include Well 22, 25, 26 and 27. The Orange County Water District will fully fund the planning, design and construction of these new PFAS water treatment facilities.
DISCUSSION
OCWD has requested City’s assistance to apply for a PFAS grant under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Emerging Contaminant Principal Forgiveness Program which is administered by the SWRCB. The PFAS grant will be enough to help offset the planning, design and capital construction costs of the new PFAS water treatment facilities at Well 22, 26 and 27.
Construction of the PFAS treatment facility for Well 25 will be fully funded by OCWD . An important requirement of the PFAS grant under the DWSRF Emerging Contaminant Principal Forgiveness Program is that the grant applicant must own and operate the PFAS-contaminated wells, and that is the reason for OCWD’s request of City’s assistance. This grant is part of the Item 329/2024
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that set aside $5 billion to help agencies in reducing PFAS and other emerging contaminant exposure in drinking water. OCWD will act in a lead capacity as a sub-grantee in applying for the PFAS grant. If this grant is awarded, the City would act as a pass-through agency between the SWRCB and OCWD. As a condition of receiving grant funds, a resolution to authorize the City to act in the capacity of “Authorized Representative” must be approved, adopted and included in the SWRCB’s financial assistance application. A uthorized agents will be the City Manager, the Director of Public Works, or their designees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of financing and grant application by the City on behalf of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) for building local per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water treatment facilities at City’s wells that were affected by PFAS contamination. As a pass-through agency, the City will be responsible for the reporting of gran t expenditures and other administrative duties identified by the grantor.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing submittal of financing and grant application by the City on behalf of the Orange County Water District for building local PFAS water treatment facilities at Well 22, 26 and 27.
By: Samuel Kim, P.E.
Deputy Public Works Director/
Water Services Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Resolution