CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE A TASK ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,419.30 FOR VEOLIA WATER WEST OPERATING SERVICES, INC. TO PROVIDE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR A WASTEWATER TOTAL NITROGEN
EFFLUENT LIMIT COMPLIANCE REPORT
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Engineering Services Department
SUMMARY:
To fulfill the regulatory requirements of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (the Board), the City has engaged Larry Walker and Associates (LWA) as a subcontractor to Veolia, the City’s wastewater operator. LWA will conduct the required technical evaluations of treatment alternatives and recycled water feasibility to produce a mandatory Total Nitrogen compliance report by June 1, 2026. This specialized support ensures the City remains in full legal compliance with the Board’s order requirements.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order for professional services related to the Total Nitrogen Effluent Limit Compliance Technical Report to Veolia Water West Operating, in an amount not to exceed $29,419.30
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
The Public Integrity Disclosure Form from Veolia is included in Attachment A.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Palm Springs owns a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operated by Veolia Water West Operating Services, Inc. Designed for a capacity of 10.9 million gallons per day (MGD), the facility processes domestic wastewater and discharges a portion of the treated effluent into six unlined evaporation and percolation ponds covering 23.3 acres containing various regulated constituents, including nitrogen.
City Council Staff Report
February 11, 2026 -- Page 2
Approve Task Order for Nitrogen Report
7 4
1 Excess nitrogen, primarily in the form of nitrate, in groundwater causes significant problems for both human health and the environment. It is one of the most widespread chemical pollutants in groundwater globally, mainly originating from agricultural runoff, septic systems, and wastewater discharge.
Discharges from Palm Springs WWTPs are regulated by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Regulatory oversight is exercised through the issuance of individual Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) site specific, legally binding Orders that dictate permissible discharge parameters.
On November 1, 2017, the City Council approved an amendment to Veolia’s agreement, establishing the development and implementation of a municipal industrial pretreatment program. This amendment also authorized the necessary studies to comply with Board Order WDR R7-2017-0013. Simultaneously, a purchase order for $145,636 was issued to Veolia to engage Larry Walker and Associates (LWA) for various technical studies; LWA was selected from proposals previously requested by Veolia.
On January October 17, 2018, the City Council authorized an increase of $150,000 to Purchase Order 18-0742 with Veolia for additional special groundwater studies and the implementation of a work plan to evaluate total dissolved solids from industrial and commercial sources. These actions are required to maintain compliance with California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order R7-2017-0013.
On February 13, 2024, the Board adopted the most recent Order WDR R7-2024-0009, which introduces a Total Nitrogen effluent limit of 10 mg/L calculated on a 12-month rolling average per Provision G.2.a. Because Palm Springs WWTP cannot currently meet this standard consistently, the Order mandates a 10-year timeline for the City to achieve full compliance. As an initial requirement, the City was directed to submit a proposed compliance schedule outlining key milestones within six months of the Order’s issuance.
On July 9, 2024, the City submitted a proposed schedule, which the Board approved as shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Deadline Milestone / Requirement
1-Jun-26
Submit Technical Report (Treatment Options): Assess treatment options for effluent limit compliance within 10 years. Includes evaluation of alternatives and feasibility of recycled water applications (e.g., discharging to Desert Water Agency).
1-Jun-27
Submit Technical Report (Selection & Design): Formally select a treatment option and provide preliminary designs.
1-Jun-28
CEQA Documentation: Complete and submit California Environmental Quality Act documentation for the selected alternative.
1-Feb-29
Commencement of Construction: Provide official notification that installation/construction activities have begun.
City Council Staff Report
February 11, 2026 -- Page 3
Approve Task Order for Nitrogen Report
7 4
1 Deadline Milestone / Requirement
1-Jun-30
Completion Report: Submit technical report demonstrating that facility upgrades are complete and align with the approved designs.
1-Jan-31 System Startup: Full operational startup of all new facility components.
On October 10, 2024, the City Council authorized an increase of $182,960.40 to Purchase Order 18000472 issued to Veolia. This authorization secures additional professional services necessary to ensure the City remains in compliance with the requirements of California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is currently operating under time-bound requirements from the Board. To ensure the City remains compliant, Veolia has requested a task order to engage LWA to assist in the preparation of the required technical report and manage subsequent communications with the City and the Board (Attachment B).
The milestones established in Table 1 are designed to ensure consistency with the requirements of WDR Order No. R7-2024-0009, provided as Attachment C.
Staff recommends the approval of this task order as it is an important step toward fulfilling the first technical milestone of the approved 10-year schedule. This ensures the City remains compliant with state environmental requirements and avoids penalties and operational risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Section 15306 “Information Collection”, Class 6 projects consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. Therefore, Staff has determined that the issuance of the task order for the Total Nitrogen Effluent Limit Compliance Technical Report, is considered categorically exempt from CEQA.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the City Council Broad Goal of Infrastructure and Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available in the Wastewater Contractual Services fund for this task order.
City Council Staff Report
February 11, 2026 -- Page 4
Approve Task Order for Nitrogen Report
7 4
1 REVIEWED BY:
City Engineer: Joel Montalvo
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Veolia Public Integrity Disclosure
B. Letter from Veolia requesting Task Order
C. Board Order WDR No. R7-2024-0009