This was a receive and file item regarding the city’s water master plan. The City of Fullerton has engaged consultant Jeff Dunn from Stantec, who has been developing this plan for over 18 months.

Jeff Dunn introduced the water master plan, which evaluates the current water system and includes future projections. A 20-year capital improvement program is being developed as a roadmap for managing the water system and identifying necessary changes. The previous evaluation was conducted in 1997. The water master plan will serve as a foundation for updating the water rate study conducted in 2019.

The City has set aside a total of $1.15 million for two projects: $950,000 for the Water Master Plan and $200,000 for a Water Rate Study. In September 2022, the City awarded Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. the job of updating the Water Master Plan and conducting the Water Rate Study. So far, $929,221.17 has been spent on the Water Master Plan, and $11,985.52 on the Water Rate Study. After these expenses, there is a remaining balance of $208,793.31 for both projects, with $34,892.56 available for outstanding costs related to the Water Master Plan.

Jeff Dunn presented the plan, which looks at the current water system and makes predictions about future needs. A 20-year Capital Improvement Program is being created to help manage the water system and outline necessary updates. The last comprehensive evaluation of the system was done in 1997. This new master plan will also inform updates to the water rate study from 2019.

Developing a prioritized plan for improvements involved three main steps: analyzing the water system using a hydraulic model, inspecting facilities to assess their condition, and evaluating the risks associated with pipelines and other assets.

To predict future water demand over the next 20 years, the team analyzed normal water usage patterns and discussed needs with city water staff. Stantec considered various scenarios, such as increasing groundwater supplies, improving efficiency, and enhancing the system’s resilience to disruptions.

The analysis found that Fullerton’s water demand in 2020 was approximately 27,850 acre-feet per year, which aligns with previous studies taking into account housing growth and conservation efforts.

Stantec thoroughly examined how the water system performs under normal conditions, considering various factors like pressure levels, pump capacities, and storage. During evaluations, they analyzed how to maximize the use of groundwater supplies and improve the overall efficiency of the system. Recommendations included upgrading pump stations and installing valves to manage water distribution more effectively.

The plan also emphasized the importance of preparing for potential water supply interruptions, such as those that could occur if connections to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) are disrupted. Suggestions were made to add backup power generation at various facilities to maintain operations during outages.

A team of engineers inspected facilities to evaluate their current condition, basing their recommendations on past reports. They assessed how to enhance facilities, extend their service life, and identify when repairs are needed.

In addition, a risk assessment identified assets that could fail and categorized them based on their risk levels. This process highlighted seven key facilities, including pump stations and reservoirs, as needing urgent improvements, along with about 10% of the pipelines labeled as high risk.

The Capital Improvement Plan includes a program for repairing and replacing pipelines. Many pipes in the city are over 50 years old, leading to a projected annual cost of about $20 million over the next 60 years to address breaks and repairs. A new geographic information system (GIS) tool has also been created to help city staff prioritize which pipelines need attention first.

In summary, the Capital Improvement Plan aims to ensure the city’s water system is well-maintained and prepared for future demands while providing safe and reliable water to the community.