Purpose

This staff report requests authorization to execute a Spreading Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) for the spreading of imported water in the Pacoima and Lopez Spreading Grounds.  The LACFCD owns and operates the spreading grounds to replenish groundwater in the San Fernando Basin with runoff of local rainfall, tributary water.  Tributary water has the first and highest priority for spreading.  LACFCD will allow the use of unused capacity in the spreading grounds for imported water once all tributary water has been spread.  LACFCD will cooperate with entities such as Burbank to spread water, including water that has been imported from outside the basin.  Burbank is constructing a new Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Connection, B-06, to bring imported water into the San Fernando Basin for groundwater replenishment.  This agreement will allow Burbank to construct a discharge outlet into the Pacoima Wash to receive Burbank�s imported water and obligates the LACFCD to divert the water from the Pacoima Wash into the spreading grounds.  Burbank is responsible, at its own expense, to construct, own and operate any new facilities.  LACFCD will allow the construction of the discharge outlet into the Pacoima Wash and will take necessary actions to receive the flow in to the spreading grounds at no additional cost to Burbank. The term of the agreement is indefinite.    

Background

Burbank Water and Power proposes to construct a Replenishment Water Service Connection at the east portal of the MWD San Fernando Tunnel.  The connection will consist of the appropriate control valves and metering devices to operate the connection.  l,050 feet of 48-inch diameter ductile iron pipe will move the water to the Pacoima Wash Channel.  The Pacoima Wash Channel diversion will allow the water to flow to the Pacoima Spreading Grounds.  LACFCD currently operates and maintains the channel and will divert the water from the Pacoima Wash into the spreading grounds utilizing existing infrastructure.  Photographs of the Pacoima Wash Channel  and the Pacoima Spreading Grounds are attached. 

The spread and stored groundwater will be extracted and treated by the Burbank Operable Unit (BOU) facilities prior to use in the Burbank Water System.  The water to be spread represents 25%-33% of Burbank�s water supply on a long term basis.  The economic benefits of the project are such that the project will recover its $2 million cost in three to six years.      

The City Council passed Resolution 26,651 on June 29, 2004 which authorized execution of a service agreement with the MWD for the construction of a new service connection, B-06.  This agreement with the LACFCD is a companion agreement which allows Burbank to construct the discharge outlet into the Pacoima Wash and sets the arrangement to spread Burbank�s imported water in the spreading grounds.  The term of the agreement is indefinite.   

Burbank Water and Power desires to have the new imported water connection in service by January, 2005 in order to take advantage of the seasonal availability of replenishment water service available from MWD.  Replenishment service water is typically only available from October through March.  The sooner the spreading connection is active, the greater the economic benefit of the project to the City of Burbank.  An assessment of the permitting processes of the MWD and the LACFCD has identified as the critical path of completing the project by January 2005, the construction permit from LACFCD.  

All work in the Pacoima Wash Channel must be completed prior to October 15 when the annual rainy season construction moratorium goes into effect.  Work on the Pacoima Wash Channel portion of the project will require the permit to be in place and construction to start by September 15.  LACFCD will issue the construction permit and the construction easement once the Spreading Agreement is executed.  The Spreading Agreement requires approval of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  Signing and returning the Spreading Agreement to LACFCD, as soon as possible, is essential for administrative processing and scheduling onto the Board of Supervisors Agenda.  

Analysis

The Burbank City Council has approved execution of the necessary Service Connection agreement with MWD for the new Replenishment Water Connection in Pacoima.  The proposed Spreading Agreement with LACFCD is the companion agreement which ties the source of replenishment water to the point of percolation into the basin aquifer for storage and subsequent production by Burbank.  The project is budgeted for $2 million in the FY04/05 budget.  Burbank will realize the economic benefit of the lower cost of purchased water as soon as the connection can be put into service. 

Fiscal Impact Statement

The Spreading Agreement with LACFCD does not incur cost obligation between the Burbank and LACFCD.  The processing of Permits, Agreements and Easements, as well as Inspection Fees for the construction in the LACFCD right-of-way are estimated to be less than $15,000.  The major project expenses are for the MWD connection and the construction of the metering facility, pipeline and channel outlet.  The MWD expense has been previously approved at $878,147.  The project is funded for $2 Million in the FY 04/05 BWP Water Division budget.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER OF BURBANK WATER AND POWER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT TO SPREAD IMPORTED WATER AT THE PACOIMA AND LOPEZ SPREADING GROUNDS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BURBANK AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

Attachments:

Photographs

Draft Documents

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