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Big Bear City CSD approves PFAS response work: well-siting survey, Well 9 treatment design and UWMP contract
Summary
The Big Bear City Community Services District unanimously authorized a well-siting survey related to PFAS detections, approved engineering services for a Well 9 PFAS treatment plant ($320,867), and contracted WSC to prepare the District's 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (not to exceed $51,999).
The Big Bear City Community Services District on Aug. 4 unanimously moved forward on a package of actions aimed at addressing PFAS contamination and long-term water planning.
Water Superintendent Jerry Griffith told the Board that laboratory testing detected the PFAS compound perfluoroheptane-1-sulfonic acid (PFHxS) above the State Water Resources Control Board's Division of Drinking Water notification level in samples from the Rowe blending reservoir and related sources. Griffith said the District is exploring mitigation options, including the possible decommissioning of Wells 1, 1b and 2, and requested a proposal from Tom Harder and Company to perform a well-siting survey to identify suitable replacement locations. The Board adopted Resolution 2025-19 to authorize a budget amendment to pay for that survey.
The Board also approved a Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) proposal to provide engineering, design, bidding and construction services for a PFAS removal treatment plant at Well 9. Griffith said Well 9 had PFHxS above the notification level at the August 19, 2024 board meeting and that the source was removed from service on Aug. 8, 2024. The recommended treatment approach is a weak-base anion exchange system housed in a heated pre-engineered metal building; the Board approved the WSC contract for $320,867.
Separately, Griffith explained that the California Water Code requires urban water suppliers serving 3,000 or more connections to prepare and periodically update an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in years ending in 0 or 5. The Board approved WSC's proposal to prepare the District's 2025 UWMP for a cost not to exceed $51,999.
All motions on the PFAS-related items and the UWMP were carried unanimously. The meeting minutes record the motions and seconders: the well-siting resolution was moved by Director B. Rowe and seconded by Director Walsh; the WSC Well 9 engineering proposal was moved by Director Walsh and seconded by Director J. Rowe; the UWMP contract was moved by Director Walsh and seconded by Director B. Rowe. Votes on each item were AYES: B. ROWE, J. ROWE, RUSSO, WALSH, ZIEGLER; NOES: NONE.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: staff will proceed with the funded site survey and WSC's engineering work; specific timelines for survey completion, design milestones and construction were not specified in the minutes.
