Council approves emergency repair contract as city races to preserve $7 million state grant for Well 2A

The San Fernando City Council voted Sept. 2 to authorize emergency repair work and contracts related to municipal Well 2A after city engineers found extensive corrosion and pump failure during an inspection. Council members described the matter as urgent because the city holds approximately $7 million in state grant funding tied to a March 31, 2026 deadline for reimbursement. Why it matters: Well 2A is a city production well that contributes to local water supply and the city has won a capital grant (about $7 million) to rehabilitate the well and install a nitrate treatment system. Failure to rehabilitate and move the project through construction and reimbursement steps risks loss of grant funds and long‑term supply effects. What staff reported: Public Works Director Wendell Johnson said the pump and well screen had corroded; the well extends about 500 feet, with the pump sitting near 100 feet. A prior design and grant are in place (including an earlier approved nitrate treatment project for about $2.6 million). Johnson and staff described a staggered approach: immediate emergency extraction and replacement of the pump and inspection; expedited procurement of treatment system components (some items can be purchased through cooperative procurements); and separate contracts for construction, building expansion and security improvements. Staff said some components can move forward quickly and that monthly reimbursement requests are possible as work proceeds. Council direction and votes: After questions about timelines and the grant deadline, council approved the emergency contract item. Council asked staff to return at the next meeting with a detailed project schedule, milestone dates and a reimbursement status report showing amounts already submitted and anticipated draws. Staff said the county/state would accept interim reimbursement requests during the work; council specifically requested regular updates so the city can track progress against the March 31, 2026 grant deadline. Implementation risk and next steps: Staff identified a multi‑component project (treatment facility, building and site security improvements, generator and storage) and said the nitrate treatment design had been completed for part of the grant scope, which should save time. But council members expressed concern about completing the full program before the grant deadline and asked that staff treat the project as highest priority, including pursuing rapid procurement and coordination with state grant administrators. Public works will provide a detailed schedule and reimbursement status at the next council meeting.