Adelanto council presses to finish hydrology study as city expands water infrastructure
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Summary
Council and city staff described progress on an 18-inch high-pressure water main and other utility projects tied to new industrial development, while council members urged faster completion of a citywide hydrology study and clearer public communication about recent water-quality findings, including concerns raised about PFAS.
The Ad elanto City Council heard a detailed infrastructure update on Jan. 22, where the city manager reported work on an 18-inch high-pressure water main along Adelanto Road to serve a new industrial park and upcoming phases of installation expected to be complete by late third quarter 2025.
City Manager (speaker 9) told the council that the new line runs from Almiraj Road along Adelanto Road toward Chamberlain and that the city has issued grading permits for a five-storefront project by the Lewis Group and anticipates commercial openings, including a McDonald's and a car wash, in late April. He also said the city awarded a $675,000 contract to High Desert Underground to repair a troubled sewer line near Auburn and Highway 395.
Council members framed the infrastructure work as essential to accommodate more than 3 million square feet of planned logistics and industrial development in the city. Mayor Pro Tem Ramos emphasized that federal and regional outreach had been effective and welcomed the city's new seat at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) table, which leaders said can influence funding allocations for transportation and water projects.
At the same time, multiple council members said they remain concerned about water quality and want the city's hydrology study completed before pursuing grants. "We can't put the cart before the horse," one council member said, noting the city needs a finished hydrology analysis before it can submit "ready-to-go" grant applications. Council members also asked staff to provide clear, public-facing guidance about recent water reports, including questions from community groups about PFAS and whether current supplies are in use by residents.
City staff said they will provide a plain-English presentation on the audits and water findings in March, and the city manager confirmed the hydrology study should be completed within two to three months. The finance and public-works teams said completing outstanding audits will also unlock Measure I and other reimbursements earmarked for road and infrastructure projects.
The council did not take a formal vote on water policy at the meeting but directed staff to finish the hydrology study, improve public communications about water quality, and continue seeking federal and state funding once projects are "grant-ready."