Mountain View presents 2025 water health goals and upcoming city projects

Mountain View City Council has taken significant steps to ensure the safety and quality of the city's water supply during its regular meeting on April 22, 2025. The council received a comprehensive report on the 2025 Water System Public Health Goals (PHG) from Utility Services Manager Mike Vasquez and Assistant Public Works Director Lisa Au. The report highlighted the city's commitment to maintaining high water quality standards and addressed a recent exceedance of the PHG for hexavalent chromium, a heavy metal linked to health risks.

During the presentation, it was noted that while Mountain View's water quality monitoring results showed chromium 6 levels below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by regulatory agencies, they exceeded the more stringent PHG. The city recorded chromium 6 levels ranging from 0.36 to 1.6 parts per billion, surpassing the PHG goal of 0.02 parts per billion. However, the levels remain well below the MCL of 10 parts per billion, indicating that the water is safe for consumption.

The council discussed the implications of this exceedance and the potential costs associated with implementing treatment technologies to address it. Estimates for necessary construction and operational costs for treatment at the city's groundwater wells could reach approximately $48 million for construction and $9.6 million annually for operations. Despite the exceedance, no immediate follow-up actions were recommended, as the water meets all regulatory standards.

In addition to the water quality report, the council also reviewed the work plan for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour Ramberg presented a list of 16 proposed projects aimed at enhancing city services and infrastructure. The projects align with the council's strategic priorities and include initiatives such as the end of natural gas flow by 2045, the development of citywide design standards, and addressing the growing demand for pickleball facilities.

The council unanimously approved the water quality report and the proposed work plan, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community engagement in these processes. The next steps will involve further discussions and community input as the city moves forward with these critical initiatives. The annual water quality report is expected to be released this summer, providing residents with detailed information about the city's water supply and safety measures.