Seal Beach council adopts 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, consultant says supplies reliable under expected conditions

The Seal Beach City Council voted to adopt the city's 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and accompanying water shortage contingency plan after a consultant presentation and a brief public comment period.

Consultant Inge Varshma of Corolla Engineers told the council the plan updates the city's supply-and-demand projections to 2050 in compliance with the Urban Water Management Act and the California Water Code. Varshma said the city's population forecast is essentially flat and noted long-term demand in the region has declined despite population growth due to conservation measures. The consultant estimated that roughly 90% of Seal Beach's supply comes from groundwater with less than 10% imported from the Metropolitan Water District.

Varshma described the water shortage contingency plan's staged response and said the plan evaluates normal water years, single dry years and five‑year consecutive droughts. Staff and the consultant stressed ongoing collaboration with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MODOC) and the Orange County Water District on conservation programs and rebate opportunities.

Public questions focused on groundwater recharge and the potential role of recycled (reclaimed) water. The consultant and Public Works Director Lee said reclaimed-water feasibility is being studied separately (a grant application was filed), so recycled water was not included in the 2025 UWMP but could be reflected in future updates if feasible.

The council adopted the plan by vote after the public hearing closed.