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Compton council approves $2.5 million groundwater assessment and other water spending
Summary
The Compton City Council on Oct. 7 approved a $2.5 million payment to the Water Replenishment District plus three related water and grant items — part of a slate of routine utility and infrastructure expenditures. City staff characterized the WRD fee as an annual, routine assessment; treatment for PFAS is a separate procurement and grant effort.
The Compton City Council on Oct. 7 unanimously approved several water-related expenditures for fiscal year 2025–26, including a $2,500,000 payment to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD), a $300,000 purchase order for imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), and acceptance of a $250,756 water-department grant.
City operations supervisor David Bennett told the council that the WRD payment is a routine annual assessment tied to the city’s groundwater production rights, and that the line item reflects regular fees the city pays each year. “This item is a routine item that we pay every year,” Bennett said, adding that procurement to address PFAS (referred to in testimony as “forever chemicals”) would rely on separate grant funding and is not covered by the WRD assessment.
Council members asked for historical comparators and more detail on the city’s water expenditures. Staff said the WRD amount is similar to prior years and that additional documentation on past payments would be provided. Council also clarified that MWD reserve charges would remain payable even if the city’s well-rehabilitation projects proceed, a point staff confirmed during discussion.
The council approved each resolution by roll call vote with every member recorded as voting "yes." The measures will fund water-resource assessments, imported water as a reserve supply, and grant-supported water projects that the city said will help meet demand and continuity needs.
Why it matters: The WRD assessment and MWD purchase ensure continued legal and operational access to groundwater and imported water supplies for Compton. Because PFAS treatment was raised during discussion, the council and staff flagged that additional grant-seeking and procurement work will be required to address new treatment mandates.
Next steps: Staff committed to provide the council with recent payment histories and to pursue grant funding and procurements for PFAS treatment work separate from the FY 2025–26 assessment approvals.
