CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
March 18, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Chris Diggs, Water Resources Director
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION AS COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA FOR THE “WATER TREATMENT – VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND TREATMENT PLANT,” PROJECT NO. 528-2590-XXXXX-95087 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Approve “Water Treatment – Volatile Organic Compound Treatment Plant,” Project No. 528-2590-XXXXX-95087, as described below, as being categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Categorical Exemption, Section 15303.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Approving the recommended action will result in the acceptance of the Categorical Exemption from CEQA for the continuation of the Well 34 Groundwater Treatment Plant Project and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Project Funding (CPF) Grants Program for Water Projects recipient approval process.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $250 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $250 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with the proposed action of deeming the project categorically exempt from CEQA.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed plant is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15303(b) and Section 15303(e) and the EPA Categorical Exclusion (CatEx) (Attachment No. 2). Further environmental review is not necessary as the project involves only minor alterations of an existing facility with no expansion capacity from its current use.
DISCUSSION:
In October 2021, the City’s Well 34 experienced a sudden increase in 1,2,3-TCP levels, exceeding the safe drinking water thresholds. The City promptly took Well 34 offline and supplemented the water supply by increasing purchases from the State Water Project (SWP) to compensate for the production loss. Well 34 produces on average 1,300 Acre-Feet per Year (AFY) which accounts for nearly 10% of the City’s annual groundwater production.
On June 30, 2022, the EPA issued a memorandum informing recipients of the CPF Grants Program for Water Projects. The City of Pomona was identified as recipient of 1.6 million dollars for groundwater treatment for well 34.
The proposed project aims to address the 1,2,3-TCP levels by installing the necessary granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment units at the Well 34 site. The GAC units will treat a comparable amount of water to that produced in previous years (about 1,300 AFY), and reduce the City’s need for SWP water.
At this juncture, staff is seeking acceptance of the attached Notice of Exemption which outlines the project's eligibility for exemption from CEQA. Upon the Council’s acceptance of this recommendation, staff will file the attached Notice of Exemption (Attachment No. 1) with the Los Angeles County Clerk and the State Clearinghouse. Once approved, staff will proceed with the grant application process and meet the environmental requirements mandated by the EPA for CPF Grant recipients.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports City Council Priority 1: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility – Goal C: Obtain additional grant funding and other revenues to help achieve City goals; City Council Priority 5: Infrastructure – Invest resources in streets, sidewalks, parks, landscaping, water systems, and public facilities to enhance the economic development, public safety, accessibility and beauty of the City.
Prepared by:
_______________________
Martha Duarte
Program Assistant
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 – Notice of Exemption
Attachment No. 2 – EPA Categorical Exclusions Report
CEQA Categorical exemption for the “Water Treatment – Volatile Organic Compound Treatment Plant,” Project No. 528-2590-XXXXX-95087