55B - RESO - GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT PROJECT

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 2011 TITLE CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ? As Recommended GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT ? As Amended 1 s' Reading SYSTEM INITIAL EXPANSION El Ordinance on El Ordinance on 2 n "d Reading PROJECT ? Implementing Resolution ? Set Public Hearing For_ CITY MANAGER CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution expressing support for the Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System Initial Expansion project. DISCUSSION The Orange County Water District's (OCWD) Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is an advanced water purification project that improves local water supply reliability through wastewater reclamation and groundwater replenishment. Since becoming operational in 2008, the GWRS has proven to be a significant source of reliable, high-quality water for the region, especially with California's recent drought. The existing GWRS facility purifies nearly 72,000 acre-feet per year (afy) of highly treated wastewater through a three-step advanced treatment process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. The GWRS initial expansion is expected to provide an additional 31,000 afy of new water--enough to meet the needs of nearly 250,000 people. This would bring the total production of the GWRS to 103,000 afy--enough water for 850,000 people. Projects like the GWRS initial expansion are essential in meeting the region's increased demands as Southern California continues to reduce its dependence on imported water. These types of projects also improve our region's supply reliability by providing important local resources to draw upon when disasters or other challenges impact traditional supplies. For these reasons, it is recommended that the City of Santa Ana adopt a resolution supporting the GWRS initial expansion. 55B-1