TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Stephanie Katsouleas, Public Works Director
Prem Kumar, City Engineer
Michael A. Guerrero, Principal Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Presentation by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Regarding Proposed Improvements to the West Coast Basin Barrier (Public Works Director Katsouleas).
RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive this report and the accompanying presentation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and provide direction regarding proposed improvements to the County’s existing West Coast Basin Barrier.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the proposed improvements by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Manhattan Beach sits above part of the West Coast Groundwater Basin, a 160 square-mile aquifer that provides drinking water to residents in 11 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County. Since 1951, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) has operated the West Coast Basin Barrier Project (WCBBP), which includes injecting fresh and recycled water into a barrier zone separating ocean water and groundwater. This routine activity helps ensure that the underlying aquifer is not contaminated by seawater intrusion, thus protecting groundwater sources for all organizations who have pumping rights within the groundwater basin, including Manhattan Beach.
As the attached map demonstrates, the WCBBP injection wells are located within the full length of Veteran’s Parkway. The ongoing operation and maintenance by LACDPW of the WCBBP is consistent with the City’s General Plan Goal I-7: Maintain and protect a reliable and cost effective water supply system capable of adequately meeting normal demand and emergency demand in the City.
DISCUSSION:
Due to age and deterioration of some of its well sites, LACDPW must remove and replace six of its existing injection wells. The six replacement injection wells will be located within the proximity of the existing well sites. In addition, LACDPW is proposing to: 1) install two new injection wells to help fortify the seawater barrier and close gaps between wells, and 2) install one new observation well to monitor the effectiveness of the injection wells. In all, nine wells will be installed in Manhattan Beach.
According to LACDPW project staff, the estimated construction duration at each well site is 3 to 4 months, with an overall estimated construction duration of 18 months, which includes three more well sites in Hermosa Beach.
LACDPW is requesting that the City of Manhattan Beach approve the planned installations prior to LACDPW completing its design work. Assuming there are no objections from the City Council on the proposed improvements as presented by LACDPW, construction is estimated to begin in October 2020.
Representatives from LACDPW project staff will make a presentation regarding specific details of the proposed installations and answer any questions City Council and the community may have.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
LACDPW anticipates having at least one community meeting prior to starting construction to discuss details of the proposed project. LACDPW will conduct additional public outreach to homeowners adjacent to each site as the project schedule progresses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
As lead agency for the project, LACDPW will perform its own CEQA determination, as required.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. LACDPW West Coast Basin Barrier Map
2. PowerPoint Presentation (LACDPW)