Item 14 -Appropriation Adjustments and Capital Improvement for Clean California Bus Stop Improvement Project

Home Browse Search

Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Projects April 16, 2024 Page 2 DISCUSSION In November 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. Proposition 1 authorized $7.545 billion in general obligation bonds to fund, in part, water resource projects identified as regional priorities through local Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plans. In April 2023, City staff was notified of funding awards for two projects from Round 2 of the Proposition 1 IRWM program (Exhibit 1). Washington Well Project The majority of the City of Santa Ana's potable water comes from the Orange County Groundwater Basin (OC Basin) and is pumped through 21 existing City wells. Due to a variety of issues, including the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in routine well monitoring, several wells in the City have been taken offline. Given the limited water supplies in the region, and recent recurring drought conditions, removing wells from the City's potable water distribution system will reduce its reliability. Rehabilitating existing wells or constructing new wells will reduce the burden on other City water production facilities and the reliance on imported water sources. The Water Resources Division is currently in the initial phase of drilling for the Washington Well Project, which will ultimately construct a new well that will address low-pressure deficiencies in the distribution system and will add approximately 4,000 acre-feet per year to the City's pumping capacity. The current Proposition 1, Round 2 IRWM grant funding will provide up to $3,394,743 in grant funds for the construction of the well. The City has already received grant funding in the amount of $100,000 from the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority for the design of the project, and $750,000 from the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation for construction. The total construction cost for drilling the well is $3,432,274, with an anticipated equipping cost of $4,500,000. The well drilling phase of construction is anticipated to have a completion date in August 2024. Equipping and commissioning of the well should be completed by winter of 2026. Santa Ana Zoo Stormwater Capture and Diversion Proiect The Santa Ana Zoo Stormwater Capture and Diversion (SAZSCAD) Project features the construction of subsurface stormwater infiltration systems at the Santa Ana Zoo. The project is designed to capture and infiltrate approximately 67 acre-feet per year (AFY) of stormwater and dry -weather runoff to help improve water quality in the Newport Bay watershed, increase local water supplies, and reduce flooding downstream. The project will also include a new urban green space, bioswales, pervious pavement, seating, drought tolerant landscaping and shade trees, and interpretive signage promoting watershed and water quality education to Zoo visitors. The Public Works Agency has collaborated with Santa Ana Zoo staff on the project and Caltrans is a project partner. The project has received letters of support from the Regional Water Board, Orange County Water District, and a local environmental nonprofit.