City Council to Consider $1 Million Proposed Contract for San Rafael Treatment Wetlands and Storm Water Capture Project

On Monday the City Council will consider a proposed $1.051 million contract with Craftwater Engineering, Inc. for engineering and design services for treatment wetlands planned for two locations adjacent to the Arroyo Seco channel.

Treatment wetlands are constructed ecosystems that use natural processes to remove pollutants.

Earlier the cities of Pasadena and South Pasadena agreed to the construction of man-made treatment wetlands in compliance to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), which requires cities to take necessary steps to reduce or eliminate pollution in stormwater runoff, according to a city document.

The NPDES permit deadline for bacteria load reduction compliance is in September 2023.

Stormwater in the Arroyo Seco/Upper Los Angeles River reportedly exceeds the Total Maximum Daily Load for bacteria and other pollutants set by the RWQCB, as per staff report.

Through the construction of the San Rafael Treatment Wetlands and Storm Water Capture Project, dry weather flows and portions of storm flows will be diverted from both San Rafael Creek and the Arroyo Seco for active and passive treatment in the wetlands.

The treated water will be stored and reused as irrigation in South Pasadena’s Arroyo Park and Arroyo Seco Golf Course.

Funding sources for the project include the State of California Parks and Water Bond Act which set asides $3.5 million for the Pasadena and South Pasadena’s treatment wetlands project and the $4.771 million in grant funding awarded by the Los Angeles County Measure W – Safe Clean Water Grants Program, as per staff report.

Members of the public can join the meeting via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/161482446 and submit comments at: correspondence@cityofpasadena.net