REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, Acting City Manager
VIA: Chau Vu, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: Kristen Schroeder, Water Quality Supervisor
Subject:
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Approve and authorize the execution of a Cost Sharing Agreement for the development of a template Cross-Connection Control Plan in collaboration with 23 Public Water Systems in Orange County, under the organized leadership of the Irvine Ranch Water District
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Statement of Issue:
In December 2023, the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB DDW), adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (Handbook), replacing previous drinking water regulations effective July 1, 2024. The Handbook strengthens drinking water safety by requiring Public Water Systems (PWSs) to implement enhanced cross-connection control measures in compliance with Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
The Handbook mandates that all PWSs prepare and submit a Cross-Connection Control Plan (CCCP) addressing ten specific requirements by July 1, 2025. Submissions must be approved by SWRCB DDW’s Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board office.
To ensure timely compliance with these requirements, the City of Huntington Beach has partnered with Irvine Ranch Water District and 23 other Orange County PWSs in a collaborative effort. This partnership has engaged John Robinson Consulting to develop a Template Cross-Connection Control Plan (Template Plan), which will provide a customizable framework tailored to each PWS, streamline compliance efforts, and establish consistent regional standards.
Financial Impact:
Funding in the amount of $6,187.07 is available in the Water Fund Water Quality Business Unit 50685802.69365.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Cost Sharing Agreement with 23 Public Water Systems in Orange County to ensure compliance with state regulations.
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Alternative Action(s):
If the City Council does not approve the Cost Sharing Agreement, the City of Huntington Beach will have to develop a Cost Connection Control Plan at our own expense.
Analysis:
To address shared regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB DDW), the City of Huntington Beach has partnered with 23 other Orange County water agencies in a collaborative effort to develop a Template Cross-Connection Control Plan (Template Plan). The purpose of the cross-connection control plan is to protect the potable water distribution system from possible contamination or pollution that could backflow into the agency’s potable water distribution system. This is accomplished by elimination of or control of undiscovered, unauthorized or potential cross-connections on the premise and within the water user’s internal water system.
This initiative is being led by the Irvine Ranch Water District, which has hired John Robinson Consulting-a recognized expert in cross-connection control and regulatory compliance-to create a customizable framework tailored to meet the specific needs of each participating public water system (PWS). The Template Plan streamlines compliance processes and establishes consistent regional standards, offering an efficient and effective approach to fulfilling regulatory requirements.
The City of Huntington Beach will participate in monthly meetings with the consultant and agency representatives to ensure alignment and monitor progress. This collaborative approach minimizes duplication of efforts, fosters resource sharing among participating agencies, and maximizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
By leveraging the expertise of a consultant hired by Irvine Ranch Water District, the Template Plan will adhere to all applicable technical and regulatory standards. This proactive strategy ensures the City will meet the critical July 1, 2025, deadline for submitting a compliant Cross-Connection Control Plan (CCCP) to the SWRCB DDW.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Cost Sharing Agreement for the Development of Template Cross Connection Control Plan
2. Template Cross Connection Control Plan Fee Estimate
3. PowerPoint Presentation