Item 217/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: William E. Murray
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 6/24/2025
Subject: Resolution Adopting a Class 3 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for the construction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water treatment facilities at various City wells. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
For the City Council to adopt a Resolution adopting a Class 3 Categorical Exemption under Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines as part of a PFAS 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 22, 26 and 27 which are 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 parts per trillion (ppt); 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 the 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. This PFAS grant in the amount of $10,000,000 will help to offset the planning, design and capital construction costs of the new PFAS water treatment facilities to be built at Well Nos. 22, 26 and 27. An important requirement of the PFAS grant under the DWSRF Emerging Contaminant Principal Forgiveness Program is that the grant applicant must Item 217/2025
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 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 PFAS grant funds, a CEQA Exemption Resolution to build PFAS water treatment facilities at City’s wells 22, 26 and 27 must be approved and adopted by the City Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact for the City Council to adopt a CEQA Exemption Resolution as part of a PFAS grant application.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Adopt a CEQA Exemption Resolution as part of a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) grant application by the City on behalf of the Orange County Water District for building local PFAS water treatment facilities at Well Nos. 22, 26 and 27.
By: Rebecca Li, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. CEQA Exemption Resolution