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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.A 04/21/2008CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA --------------AGENDA BILL 5.A April 21, 2008 Agenda Title: Meeting Date: April 21, 2008 Resolution Authorizing a Water Connection Outside the Urban Growth Boundary for Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department at 3775 and 3825 Meeting Time: ® 3:00 PM Bodega Avenue Respectively (APN 021-140-087) ❑ 7:00 PM Category: ❑ Presentation ❑ Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ Unfinished Business ® New Business Department: Public Works Cost of Pronosal: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Director: Vcc Marengo Attachments to Agenda Packet Item: Contact Person: Phone Number: Craig Spaulding 778-4466 Account Number: N/A Name of Fund: N/A 1. Letter from County of Sonoma Department of Health Services dated 1/29/2008 2. Letter from Wilson Elementary School Principal Stephen P. Collins dated 11/7/2008 3. Vicinity Map 4. Resolution authorizing outside water connection Summary Statement: Due to new federal drinking water standards, the water supply at Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department exceeds the allowable arsenic level. The school and fire department are requesting a potable water supply for domestic use. Because the property is outside the Urban Growth Boundary, City Council approval is required. Recommended Citv Council Action/Sueeested Motion: Approve resolution authorizing an outside water connection for Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department. X bv in. Svcs. Dir, Date: Rev. 92 Date Last Revised: 4/4/08 Reviewed by City Attornev: Approved by City Manager: Date: Date: File:SADevelopment Folder\City Council Staff reports and Resolmiions\Wilson & Wilmar Fire DeptMilson School, Wilmar Fire Department Outside Water.doc Page 1 CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 21, 2008 AGENDA REPORT FOR RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A WATER CONNECTION OUTSIDE THE URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY FOR WILSON SCHOOL AND WILMAR FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 3775 AND 3825 BODEGA AvENUE RESPECTIVELY (APN 021-140-087) 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Due to new federal drinking water standards, the water supply at Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department exceeds the allowable arsenic level. The school and fire department are requesting a potable water supply for domestic use. Because the property is outside the Urban Growth Boundary, City Council approval is required. 2. BACKGROUND: Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department have been seeking to acquire a potable water source for students and personnel. Past attempts to secure an agreement with the Coast Guard to share the existing water supply line that is located along Bodega Avenue were unsuccessful. Treatment of the well was also considered and eliminated because of initial installation costs and, more importantly, the ongoing maintenance of a sophisticated filtration system. Recently, the school district received support and funding from the California Department of Public Health and the California Rural Water Association to construct approximately one mile of water line from the City water system to the school and fire department site. As indicated in the executive summary, the existing well on the school site exceeds the allowable arsenic level. By connecting to the City water system the arsenic problem would be eliminated. Attached are two letters. The first letter is from the County of Sonoma Department of Health Services providing an opinion of the arsenic issue and support for connection to the City water system. The second letter is from Wilson Elementary School Principal, Stephen P. Collins, explaining the water supply history, existing situation and funding opportunity available to construct a new water line. Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department are located on the same property and share the school site through a lease agreement. The water connection would be for potable use only and supply water for 15 toilets, 8 urinals, 35 sinks, 7 drinking fountains, 1 ice Page 2 maker, 1 washing machine and 1 shower. Existing irrigation on the school property would remain on the well system and not use City water. The school indicates that they use between 13,000 to 15,000 gallons of water per month during the winter when irrigation is not in use. According to the City of Petaluma Water Resources and Conservation Department, the typical single family household water use is approximately 9,000 gallons per month. The school usage would therefore be equivalent to 1.6 times a single family house. The City will realize a small measure of revenue from the sale of water to the school and fire department. Wilmar Fire Department, by defmition, is a mutual aid responder to the City of Petaluma. In addition they are also designated as an auto aid responder. The auto aid responder designation provides that, in certain geographic areas or in particular scenarios, the Wilmar Fire Department will automatically respond to a City of Petaluma emergency. Therefore, the City derives a direct benefit from Wilmar Fire Department. When the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was created in 1998, the language in the document provided exceptions to allow for water service to "public or quasi -public uses such as schools or public safety facilities." Sewer or water service outside the UGB requires City Council approval. If the water connection is approved, the school and fire department would be subject to conditions that would include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: • A water meter and backflow prevention device would be installed at the end of the public water system according to City standards (near the intersection of Bodega Ave. and Lolu-man Ln.). • A private water line would be installed from the new meter location, along Bodega Avenue to the Wilson School and Witmar Fire Department site. • The new water line would be installed and maintained by the school district and fire department. • Water use would be limited to potable use only (no use for irrigation or fire fighting purposes). • A water audit would be completed and appropriate water saving fixtures, devices and equipment would be installed. At a minimum, the school and fire department shall: 1) replace all toilets with high efficiency toilets; 2) replace washing machine with high efficiency washing machines; 3) ensure all lavatory sink faucets are equipped with 1.5 gpm aerators and all kitchen sink faucets are equipped with 2.2 gpm aerators. • A water rate billing and maximum water use limit would be applied (determined by the Water Resource and Conservation Department). • The water connection would be restricted to the current use and any change in use of the property would terminate the water connection. 3. ALTERNATIVES: Not allow water connection Page 3 4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: N/A CONCLUSION: Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department meet the requirements for an outside water connection as defined by the UGB document and have provided evidence of need. 6. OUTCOMES OR PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESS OR COMPLETION: N/A RECOMMENDATION: Approve resolution authorizing an outside water connection for Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department. Page 4 COUNTY Of SONOMA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES ATTACHMENT Rita Scardaci, MPH — Director Ruth Lincoln, PHN, MA —Assistant Director Environmental Health Division Walter L. Kruse - Director January 29, 2008 Steven P. Collins Ed.D SuperimmidentlPrincipal Wilmer Union School District 3775 Bodega Avenue Petaluma, CA 94952 RE: Wilson Elementary School, 3775 Bodega Ave., Petaluma, CA 94952 Dear Dr. Collins: We arc in receipt of a report of general, physical and inorganic analysis of water quality from the well that provides drinking water to the Wilson EIementary School and the Wilmot Fire Department. In reviewing these results, it appears that this water does not meet federal primary drinking water quality standards for potability due to high Arsenic levels. The reported Arsenic level of 31 ppb (parts per billion) is over three times the current federal primary drinking water standard of 10 ppb. Although the California Cade of Regulations lists the primary drinking water standard for Arsenic at 50 ppb, the federal standard of 10 ppb currently prevails as state law cannot be less restrictive than federal law. The state is in the lengthy process of modifying their Arsenic standard to a level at least as low as the federal government. Further, it is anticipated that the federal 10 ppb standard will be lowered significantly (to 3 ppb or 4 ppb) in the not too distant future _ Primary drinking water standards, commonly !mown as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLS), are established based on available health risk information, technological feasibility (labs and treatment systems), financial impact to water purveyors, and public input. Every effort is made to establish a regulatory standard that closely reflects the Public Health Goal (PHG), a non -enforceable number based solely on scientific health risk assessmentand the foundation for establishing MCLS. In the case of Arsenic, there is a vast disparity between the state PHG of 0.004 ppb (0 ppb at the federal level) and the MCL of 10 ppb, due largely to the lengthy and time-consuming process of law revision lagging behind some very recent and significantly improved technological advances in Arsenic treatment. 475 Aviation Blvd., Suite 220, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 - phone (707) 565-6565 - fax (707) 565-6525 - mvw.sonoma-county.org Page 5 If Wilson Elementary School has the opportunity to connect to a potable public water supply, it would be advisable to do so, as continued ingestion of this contaminated water supply presents a potential health risk Enclosed you will fund an information sheet from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) on the potential health effects of Arsenic. Lf you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. cerely,�, Christine Soslco, R.E.H.S. Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Ench ATSDR Arsenic TcxFAQS cc: Mr. Bob Green, Vice -President Wilmar Fire Department Board of Directors U.S. EPA Region 9 Safe Drinlong Water Act Compliance Monitoring 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA, 94105 California Department of Public Health Office of Drinking water 50 D Street, Suite 200 Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4752 Page 6 --- ---- ---- ---- ---- --- ---- -- - ---- ---- ---- ---- ATTACHMENT 2 I 411—rt. t i t t• ,7 I x Wilson Elementary too 3775 Bodega Petaluma,, CA 9 -E (7®7)765-434® November 7, 2007 Craig Spaulding, City Engineer City of Petaluma I1 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 SUBJECT: Wilson Elementary School Dear Craig: The Wilson Elementary School water system provides drinking water to approximately 250 students and staff and also serves the adjacent Wilmar Volunteer Fire Department. Water is delivered to six school buildings including a cafeteria and kitchen, restrooms, and drinking fountains. The system is considered a non -transient, non -community, small water system and lies about two miles west of the City of Petaluma in Sonoma County. The system is currently drawing water from a well that has been drilled on school property and provides disinfection prior to storing the water in a 10,000 gallon concrete storage tank. The arsenic levels in the finished water will not meet the new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic of 10 pgtL.. Five tests on the school well have average arsenic levels of 29.18 pg/L. The existing facility does not have the capability of being upgraded to provide water that will meet the new drinldng water standards. The school well is also located adjacent to a former livestock pen and is subject to bacteriological contamination. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Rural Water Association (CRWA) have been assisting the Wilson Elementary School to develop a solution to the arsenic problem and create an adequate water system. A preliminary engineering report was prepared which concluded that water service by the City of Petaluma would eliminate the arsenic problem and appears to be the most viable, long-term solution for the Wilson Elementary School arsenic problem. Page 7 Craig Spaulding Page 2 Page 2 A proposed project was identified which consists of approximately a mile of 6 -inch PVC waterline installed along Bodega Avenue and would connect to the City system with a meter and backflow preventer near the Lohman Lane intersection. The waterline will not have capacity to deliver adequate fire protection for a school and there will be no fire hydrants installed on the pipeline. The exiting well and tank will continue to be used for landscape irrigation. A funding application for the project was approved by the CDPH from a program with priority for schools with contaminated groundwater. The school is seeking funding to add an on-site fire storage tank and fire hydrants to protect the school. The fire storage tank would be initially filled from the school's low -capacity well and would he separated from the potable water system by a pressure -reducing valve and backflow preventer. The CDPH and the Wilson School are ready to move forward with the project and an engineering firm has been retained to design the project The Wilson Elementary School greatly appreciates the City of Petaluma and the cooperation of City personnel in providing this much needed water supply. The School will submit the appropriate water service application and will follow applicable procedures and standards for the project. If you should have any additional questions about the project, please let us ]mow Sincerely, r��l= Stephn P. Collins Superintendent/Principal Page 8 JOSEPH c a \ ti o I ♦ . ^a Wilson school -Wil ar Fire Department Sj. e APN 021-140-087 Mdneatlav, nmce Is. 200e 0 435pu T W IStlool�0olmtl�en\PmfedslCRNG\�n¢el mW �2 2 Hq4 aurr: /, Private waterline a U approximately o r 1 mile in length , 2 DOERS J EA` ,V4I Connection point, Meter Location w Legend City Limit UGB --- 001 0 275 550 1100 Feet ATTACHMENT 4 AUTHORIZING A WATER CONNECTION OUTSIDE THE URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY FOR WILSON SCHOOL AND WILMAR FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 3775 AND 3825 BODEGA AVENUE RESPECTIVELY (APN 021-140-087) WHEREAS, Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department have applied for an outside water connection for potable use; and, WHEREAS, when the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was created in 1998, it contained provisions that would allow for water service to "public or quasi -public uses such as schools or public safety facilities"; and, WHEREAS, Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department have demonstrated a need for an alternative to their current potable water supply to protect the health, safety and welfare of their water users because of elevated arsenic levels in their existing well water, and WHEREAS, w=ater service outside the UGB requires City Council approval: and, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma that the outside water connection for the subject property is approved subject to the following conditions of approval: 1. A water meter and backflow prevention device shall be installed at the connection point according to City standards. 2. A private water line shall be installed and maintained by the school district and fire department. The private water line shall be installed from the new water meter location, along Bodega Avenue to the Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department site. 3. Water supplied by the City shall be limited to potable use only (irrigation or fire fighting use is prohibited). 4. A water rate billing and maximum water use shall be established by the Water Resources and Conservation Department. 5. The water connection shall be restricted to the current use and any change in use of the property shall terminate the water connection. 6. Wilson School and Wilmar Fire Department shall complete a water audit and at a minimum perform the following tasks: A) replace all toilets with high efficiency toilets; B) replace washing machine with high efficiency washing machines; C) ensure all lavatory sink faucets are equipped with 1.5 gpm aerators and all kitchen sink faucets are equipped with 2.2 gpm aerators. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Public Works Department is directed to collect the appropriate fees and prepare an approval letter and execute the necessary documentation to complete the process. 1075448.1 Page 10