Parlier updates: water filters online, groundwater projects, Safe Routes and several multi‑million grants

Parlier — City staff on Oct. 2 briefed the council on a wide set of public‑works projects, saying the city has mostly completed a city-wide carbon filtration system for drinking water, is advancing multiple grant-funded water‑banking and recharge projects, and has secured several competitive active-transportation grants for sidewalks, trails and Safe Routes to School.

Staff member Javier presented the progress report. He said the city’s carbon filter installations at several wells are complete and are in final inspection: Well 8 and Well 9 each host multiple filter tanks, and a set of 12 carbon‑filtration tanks was installed off Manning (Well 28). Staff said the result is that “most of the city now is running on filtered water,” and they are finalizing inspections with the California water board.

Major grants and projects discussed - Richard Flores Phase 2 groundwater recharge and park rebuilding: staff said the project is in design after the city received a $5,200,000 grant to add groundwater recharge capacity beneath the ballfield and related bioswales and infiltration devices. - Limeless/Limitless Lane and Safe Routes to School: Parlier was awarded $6,000,000 (COG/ATP) for a multimodal trail, protected crossings and pedestrian safety improvements near schools; the project includes bulb-outs, elevated crosswalks and a HAWK pedestrian signal near City Hall. - Newmark and Neimark corridor work: a $4,000,000 award was announced for Newmark Avenue reconstruction (sidewalks/trail tying to schools); staff said Caltrans approval for the Neimark roundabout is expected this month with a target construction start in November. - Avila Rails‑to‑Trails: $2,700,000 awarded for a Class I multi‑use trail to convert a narrow rail parcel behind Avila Apartments and link to the limitless lane network. - Zedekar (Zedekir) sidewalk and road reconstruction: staff said the city received $1,020,000 (STBG) to build sidewalks and reconstruct Zedekar Avenue alongside the canal.

Other work and operational updates - Parlier Police Department remodel/additions: staff said phase 2 work will begin with asbestos abatement and demolition; PD has been operating from a temporary location. - 2025 road-rehab: staff reported completion of approximately 15 roads in the 2025 pavement program; the city earned a high ranking in the county for pavement condition relative to available funding.

Public questions and responses Resident Fernando Banuelos asked whether the new filtration means water from the tap is now safe to drink; staff replied the filtration system is analogous to a large, municipal-scale carbon filter (like a commercial Brita), and that the city is finalizing inspections so filtered water is in place. Resident Debbie Sindel House thanked staff for the removal of a homeless encampment on Zedekar and asked what steps will prevent return; the police chief and city manager said the encampment had been vacated, cleanup is in progress, and staff plans to repair and secure fencing and increase patrols.

Why this matters: The projects collectively represent several million dollars of state and federal grants invested in Parlier infrastructure and active‑transportation safety improvements near schools. Staff said the grants were highly competitive and that those awards position Parlier to add bike/pedestrian infrastructure and long‑term groundwater resilience.

Ending: Staff said some projects are in design and will go to bid later this year; the council asked for ongoing updates and for the city to provide confirmed inspection and budget figures when available.