DATE:
December 16, 2025
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Public Works
TITLE: Emergency Water Intertie Agreement
with California Water Service Company
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View Approv ing an Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company at 3645 Grant Road, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report); and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company, and to execute all necessary documents to effectuate its purposes.
BACKGROUND
The City of Mountain View (City) provides water service to approximately 95 percent of City customers while the California Water Service Company (Cal Water) provides water service to the remaining five percent (see Figure 1 for the City’s water service map) . Although a portion of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is within the City’s service area, NASA purchases water directly from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).
The City obtains water from several sources to provide operational flexibility and ensure reliability and resilience, including:
• Purchase of treated water from the SFPUC and Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water)
• Groundwater from City wells.
The City delivers w ater to Mountain View customers through a network of approximately 190 miles of pipelines and three storage and pumping facilities, which maintain system pressure, provide operational storage, and serve as emergency reserves. The City’s total storage capacity is approximately 17.3 million gallons, supporting both peak demand and system reliability.
Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company December 16, 2025
The City’s system abuts neighboring water retailers including the Cities of Palo Alto and Sunnyvale, NASA Ames, and Cal Water’s Los Altos Suburban District, which serves customers in Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale.
Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company December 16, 2025
Figure 1: Water Service Area
Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company December 16, 2025
ANALYSIS
An intertie is a physical connection between separate water systems that allows water to be transferred and shared during emergencies or temporary supply disruptions. Currently, the City has interties with the Cities of Palo Alto and Sunnyvale. Establishing an intertie connection between the City’s and Cal Water’s systems provides mutual benefits. The City gains additional redundancy to maintain service during unplanned events or major maintenance, while Cal Water can similarly benefit from access to the City’s system as an added measure to support its customers, including a portion of Mountain View. This arrangement enhances regional reliability, strengthens emergency preparedness, and improves the continuity of water service for the community.
The proposed emergency intertie is located near the boundary between the City’s water distribution system and Cal Water’s Los Altos Suburban District. The majority of intertie installation work will occur within an existing Cal Water pump station parcel at 3645 Grant Road.
The intertie will include a valved and metered connection equipped with pressure control and backflow prevention devices to maintain system integrity and comply with regulatory standards.
Cal Water will be responsible for the design and construction of the intertie facilities, subject to City review and approval to ensure conformance with City standards . The intertie will normally remain closed and will only be operated during emergencies or scheduled maintenance events , with appropriate notification provided between the parties, that require a supplemental supply.
In the event that the supplying agency faces a water supply concern, under the agreement, the agency would have the discretion to terminate the intertie.
The operation of the intertie would be governed by the Emergency Water Intertie Agreement between the City and Cal Water, which defines responsibilities, connection and disconnection procedures, emergency communication protocols, and cost recovery mechanisms.
This partnership enhances regional water supply resilience by providing a backup mechanism to maintain service continuity in the event of seismic activity, major pipeline failures, or interruptions in imported water deliveries.
FISCAL IMPACT
Under the proposed Emergency Water Intertie Agreement, Cal Water will be responsible for all costs associated with planning, design, permitting, and construction of the intertie facilities and associated equipment. If supplemental water is delivered, the receiving agency will pay the supplying agency based on the supplying agency’s applicable non-residential water rate in effect at the time of delivery. No ongoing payments or City capital contributions are required outside Emergency Water Intertie Agreement with California Water Service Company December 16, 2025
of such event-based use. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities will be divided at the point of connection, with each agency responsible for facilities on its respective side of the intertie.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to- play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
☒ Contract between two or more state or local government agencies
ALTERNATIVES
Do not approve an intertie agreement and provide other directions.
PUBLIC NOTICING—Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
Tina Tseng
Principal Engineer/Engineering and
Environmental Compliance
Reviewed by:
Lisa Au
Assistant Public Works Director
Approved by:
Jennifer Ng
Public Works Director
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager
Attachment: 1. Resolution for the Emergency Water Intertie Agreement