City Committee to be Briefed on a Four Important Water and Power Projects at Tuesday Public Meeting

The Pasadena City Council’s Municipal Services Committee will hear reports from Pasadena Water and Power officials on four major projects and initiatives during the Committee’s regular meeting Tuesday, October 25.

According to the meeting’s agenda released by District 2 City Councilmember Margaret McAustin, Committee Chair, PWP will deliver detailed updates on the Pasadena Non-Potable Water Project, will report on the City’s water supply reliability, and will also report on the status of the GT-5 Repowering Project.

PWP has also produced a report for an update on the Economic Development Electric Rate. As provided for in the Pasadena Municipal Code, the Economic Development Rate allows for preferential electricity discounts for medium and large commercial and industrial PWP customers.

Officials will report on the results of an analysis made on two alternative pipeline routes suggested by the residents for the the Non-Potable Water Project. It will also give an update on the utility’s application for state funding for the project submitted last December.

PWP said it is waiting for final confirmation of the funding award after the project was placed on an eligibility list to receive up to 35 percent of the cost in a state grant and up to 65 percent in state loans. Funding will be provided through the State Water Resources Control Board.

PWP will also report on how it taps multiple sources of water to meet current and future demands.

The City’s water supply comes from a combination of local and imported water from The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). In addition, PWP is working to increase local supply through investments in the Non-Potable Project, Arroyo Seco Canyon Project, and the installation of new wells. Imported water plays a crucial role since it accounts for 60 percent of the City’s supply chain.

Since 2003, PWP has entered into long-term purchase contracts with MWD, which allow PWP to purchase up to 22,925 acres-feet per year. The contract has no limit on the purchase volume available to PWP.

In another information report for the Municipal Services Committee, PWP said the Glenarm Repowering Project has completed turbine construction and is in the final stages of testing. Air emissions testing is also underway and was only interrupted when gas fuel supply was temporarily disconnected.

The plant’s commercial operation date is scheduled for November 7.

Other reports at Tuesday’s meeting will come from the City’s Historic Preservation Commission which will present a Report of Work Plan Performance for July 2015 up to June 30 this year, and the Planning Commission, which will also deliver an Annual Report.

The Municipal Services Committee will meet in public session at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Pasadena City Hall Council Chambers S249 on the second floor at 100 North Garfield Avenue.