Arcadia and Sierra Madre city councils met to discuss their joint water system seismic reliability project which includes what the cities can do to ensure water in the event of a major earthquake.
Arcadia City Council has approved a list of a dozen projects to lobby for with the federal government. The projects will be pursued by city lobbyist, the Ferguson Group, by Mayor Mickey Segal, and a representative from Sierra Madre, as they try to coordinate lobbying efforts in Washington DC. On the list is a $20 million request jointly with Sierra Madre, for continuing programs to ensure safety of the water supply in case of seismic problems.
Arcadia city officials have adopted a voluntary water conservation program that aims to reduce annual water consumption by 10 percent. Currently there is a state wide drought and a local water supply shortage. Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has voted to raise water rates 14 percent in July 2009. The other two main sources of the city's water are the Main San Gabriel Basin and Raymond Basin.
Although two of Arcadia's 14 water wells have been contaminated by industrial solvents for years, a purification system installed by the city last December is reportedly working well, allowing the water from these wills to be used.
Arcadia City Council has approved a contract with Bucknam and Associates to continue consulting on a joint effort with the city of Sierra Madre. The company will ensure local water supply is protected from interruption by earthquakes.
One of Arcadia's water wells, located on Camino Real Ave. between First and Second Avenues was pumping sandy water into the city's water distribution system. The well was shut down and will be carefully checked. The sandy water was not contaminated or harmful to drink.
Arcadia and Sierra Madre's water supply to benefit from $1.8 million federal grant. Arcadia will get $900,000 of the grant. This will fund the next phase of an on-going, 5-year program to ensure emergency water for its citizens, following any potential seismic activity.
City Council has voted to purchase Monrovia's Chapman Well and reservoir. In addition Arcadia will exchange 951 acre feet of water rights in the San Gabriel Basin for the same amount now owned by Monrovia in the Raymond Basin.
Arcadia likely to spend $2 million on imported water for city supply. City Council will vote today on a proposal to buy 3,000 acre-feet of water to supplement the city's water demands for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, from Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster.
City Council is considering the purchase of a water well and water rights from Monrovia at a cost of $200,000. An additional $100 thousand will be needed to construct a pumping station.
The City Council approved a mandatory water conservation program that requires a 10% decrease in water use by all residents, as well as the use of penalties if residents use more than their share of water.
Residents will no longer pay penalties for using too much water starting in January, after the City Council decided Tuesday that the existing system was unfair.