Glendale council backs $127,000 amendment to water master plan as staff warns of $706 million, 20-year repair bill
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Summary
Glendale's water utilities staff told the council the city faces steep costs to repair aging pipelines and facilities and recommended stepping up replacements and pursuing reuse projects; council approved a $127,211 amendment to the consultant contract to finish the master plan and pursue partnerships.
Glendale officials approved a staff request March 31 to expand the city's water master plan study, citing widespread asset deterioration and looming costs to keep the system reliable.
Assistant General Manager Chisholm Obegoglu told the council that staff evaluated nearly 948 vertical assets and more than 400 miles of pipeline, and found that more than 60% of assets are in need of repair or replacement. "Over 60% of our assets are in dire need of repair or replacement, or they're just outright unserviceable," he said during the presentation. Staff said much of the city's pipe is cast iron, installed 70'100 years ago, and is likely to cause main breaks and water-quality problems.
The master plan outlines a roughly $706 million capital program over 20 years (about $35 million per year), with pipeline replacement the largest component. Obegoglu said the city aims to accelerate replacements to about 3'5 miles of pipeline per year to stop further decline; currently Glendale replaces roughly 1'1.5 miles in a good year. He described potable reuse options as a midterm supply strategy and noted the city is exploring partnerships with Los Angeles and neighboring agencies to reduce costs and secure storage rights.
Council members pressed staff on alternatives dismissed during the study. Obegoglu said stormwater-capture projects were removed from the shortlist because Glendale's Verdugo basin is 'leaky' and yields limited local storage benefit, and seawater desalination was deemed too costly and distant. He also said conservation programs exist but cannot fully offset loss of imported supply: "We cannot continue to rely on water conservation when we have 60% of our water supply that is at threat," he said.
Staff asked the council to approve Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement with Arcadis US Inc., adding $127,211 to the consultant's work for expanded technical analysis, coordination on alternative supplies and outreach. Obegoglu noted the city received a $200,000 grant from the California Water Resources Control Board that offsets part of the cost.
The council voted to authorize the amendment and to proceed to a cost-of-service analysis later this year to study funding and rate impacts. Council members acknowledged that future rate adjustments may be necessary to pay for the capital plan but emphasized transparency and public engagement in the next steps.
What happens next: staff will begin the cost-of-service work this summer, continue outreach with the Stakeholder Water Advisory Group (SWAG), and return to council with funding options and timelines.
