HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/21/2010 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.J. RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE
MISSION SPRINGS WATER DISTRICT GROUNDWATER
QUALITY PROTECTION PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Mission Springs Water District's Groundwater Quality Protection
Project will protect the Mission Creek and Palm Springs Aquifers, which are at the
headwaters of the water supply for the Coachella Valley. These aquifers are the main
sources of drinking water for parts of the Valley and world-renowned spa mineral water.
These aquifers are also important to conservation of important wildlife habitat in the
area; and
WHEREAS, for the past ten years the Mission Springs Water District has
partnered with state and federal agencies to replace septic tanks that threaten to leak
into the aquifers. Approximately $5.7 million in federal funds have been matched by $8
million in state and local funding to abate 1400 individual septic tanks, replacing them
with a modern wastewater collection and treatment system; and
WHEREAS, the community of Palm Springs is making an investment to conserve
its pristine water source that is the backbone of the region's economy. An additional
4000 septic systems must be abated during the remaining three years of a local tax
assessment district that provides local funding for the project. Local residents voted to
create the assessment district despite the region's economic conditions of high
unemployment, low-income, and high number of foreclosures; and
WHEREAS, groundwater is the sole source of water to nearly 400,000 people in
the Coachella Valley. Protection of this groundwater is a significant priority for the City
of Palm Springs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs supports the Mission Springs Water District's Groundwater Quality Protection
Project, and encourages support to continue implementation of this program to
safeguard our groundwater resources.
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY
COUNCIL THIS 215t DAY OF JULY, 2010.
David H. Ready, City Manager
ATTEST:
James Thompson, City Clerk
ITEMI NO. ' �'
Resolution No.
Page 2
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on this 21 st day of July, 2010, by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
Page 2 of 2
THE DESERT SUN I SUNDAY,,APRIL 11,2010 1 119
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EDITORIAL t/•'1
OURVOICE
Invest to keep water safe and pure
Support Mission Springs Water District's bid to rid Desert Hot Springs of septic tanks
f the groundwater in Desert Hot Springs becomes tainted by failing septic "If that were to happen,you might as well roll up the city,'John
tanks,it would be not only a disaster for the city but a potential threat to Brown,a district director,told The Desert Sun editorial board last
the entire Coachella Valley. week.
The Mission Springs Water District delivers some of the purest water in Congress has authorized$35 million for the Groundwater
the world,melting snow from Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio, Quality Protection Act,which would expand the sewer system and
two of the tallest mountains in Southern California. eliminate 2.500 septic systems,but the money hasn't been
From Desert Hot Springs,water seeps into the Coachella Valley aquifer and appropriated.
flows all the way to the Salton Sea. The district is pushing hard to release the funds and build
Even worse for the city would be contamination of the hot mineral springs that enough sewers to eliminate all the septic tanks in town.
give the town its name and is the lifeblood of more than three dozen spas. The Desert Sun supports the effort.
Better safe than sorry
District General Manager Arden Wallum said there's no way
to know when or if septic tanks will fail.But if they did,it would R
t
cost 10 to 100 times more to clean up a tainted water supply--at
least$400 million,according to the U.S.Environmental q,
Protection Agency.
"Two major mountains,San Gorgonio and San Jacinto,come
together at the western and of Coachella Valley,"Wallum said.
"This Is also where the southeasterly groundwater flow into the .,
valley narrows.Thousands of septic tanks exist in this area and "
many are decades old.The extent of the impact to this water Is
M.M.-
unknown but the potential for impacting new and existing areas
downstream is possible.This groundwater flow moves in the
direction of the communities below and eliminating septic tanks
can be nothing but a benefit to the valley as a whole."
The district does not control homes using septic tanks,nor
does the city.That's up to the Riverside County Environmental
Health Department.But if a home is within 100 feet of a sewer
line,it is required to hook up to it.The district has spent$20
million since the early 1990s to install 75 miles of sewer lines.
There are five areas in the city that don't have sewer service.
The city has spent$10 million improving 37 miles of streets,said
City Manager Rick Daniels.It hasn't improved the 10miles of nrasx.w xoun sx
streets where sewers have yet to be installed. TMwnnw,n•,Ri It-1—the sM3�liowiltm an.moqhtnnC.W unY:ox^emsi:,„s",.
"It would be foolish to commissioned the U.S. Coubd year IaMnsakers
improve a street only to see it Geological Survey and Septic tanks in Desert Hot Springs s l.m Vim.
tom up for sewers,"he said. Michigan Technological About 9,600 parcels remained to ae sewered In the Desert riot springs area.In
2000,voters approved Assessment 11,which generated$B million to hook up 20510 Q02)
As a result,drivers can tell University to assess the threat 1,,33 homes to sewers and eliminate 996 septic tanks.In 2004,voters 224-255$di—t
that when the hit of wastewater from septic approved Assessment District 12,which will generate$29 minion through 2014. Hke Rm Wb E
Y a rough 9 P St—t.span 210 M
road,the houses are tanks On groundwater. in 2007,another$25 million was authorized by Congress in the water 6 i^u CA
El
Rest"s Dwalopment Act,but the money has been appropriated.Mission �wr .( �
generally on septic tanks. The study found: springs water District Is pushing to have the money released before �:8 j.lb,(90)
Hot springs like no other 'The contamination Assessment 12,which rovideathe matching local funds,expires in 2014 Is, n.rr
place on Earth potential from septic tanks is
of significant concern.
homesteader,dls
Gabor rxa,a •The density systems of s st ,Hm
coveredthe r.w.h aw�wndnr ,
hot springs of Miracle Hill overlying the groundwater is , Dc 20sw a0n
g 224-B41 fnx(202122&3 1
2.3 to 2.8 times the ,, y Ada^,nx n rw d s1,s ,o?
around 1913,The water is f a n oCA u
heated to about 180 degrees recommended density. , d ff,
by geothermal forces 'High levels of nitrate from z
thousands of feet below the the Septic effluent pose a r
particularly critical risk to 19 w a
Earth's surface maintenance of an expanded
infants.Fecal matter of
Daniels called the hot I ai sewer system will keep
springs"invaluable" humans can contain
organisms responsible For 9k 9 existing staff at work and
'It's a phenomenon that 4 w�Ra require additional permanent
occurs nowhere else on Poliomyelitis,meningitis and t ,y'
several central nervous ' +r+e ■ ,v.ti hires,"Brown said."Increased
Because man systems million to h ,.•.."IY yV
Earth;'he said.There are system disorders. sewer flows will require the
many other hat springs,such Construction of awatrsuitably
as the waters of Baden- Y Y hook up 1,233 A district free of septic expanded wastewater
Baden,Germany,but, have been in operation for 40 homes to sewers and tanks
y years,the rate of wastewater eliminated 996 septic tanks. treatment plant,another
uniquely,the local springs Combined with Assessment source of additional jobs."
movement suggests In 2004,voters approved
don't have the sulfur smell. contamination will easily Assessment District 12,which District 12,the federal money Little big district
Desert Hot Springs Mayor reach the groundwater supply.will generate$28 million would allow the district to Although it sounds like an
Yvonne Parks said the 'The valley is one big through 2014. virtually eliminate septic tanks ideal candidate for the federal
springs are the city's third- watershed,"said Nancy That money also serves as in Desert Hot Springs and the stimulus program,the funds
highest source of revenue. other areas it serves.
"It's extremely important to our Wright,longtime district matching funds for the$35 Homeowners would incur are authorized in the Water
director."Watershed million appropriated in 2007 Resources Development Act.
tourism industry,which protection is the best way to as part of the Water about$4,000 in sewer fees If it can accomplish its goal
generates transit occupancy ensure that our valley has a Resources Development Act, spread out over 20 years. of eradicating septic tanks,
tax(TOT)that goes directly healthy sustainable water carried by U.S.Son.Barbara That's a bargain compared to that would be quite a feat by a
into our general fund,"she supply,which is also Boxer,a Rancho Mirage the arrangement recently small agency like the Mission
said. important for economic Republican and chairwoman worked out in Cathedral City Springs Water District.
According to Jeff Bowman, development and future of the Committee on Cove,where homeowners will The Desert Sun applauds
owner of Living Waters Spa generations. Environment and Public Pay more than$20,000 over the effort and encourages
who also serves on the district "Water contamination Works. 30 years. Sens.Boxer and Feinstein to
board,the spas generate$15 knows no boundaries." The federal funds activity a year and Call to action pp local must be Shovel-ready project appropriate the$35 million to
economic act
million to million appropriated before the ll According to Brown,Wallum create jobs and prevent a
Wright,designs$1.3 million in TOT. Armed with this alarming matching funds expire. and for the potential public health
The hot water table is closer report,the district went to the Supporters of the district's sewer expansion are ready to disaster.
to the surface than the cold voters to ask for an campaign to release the go.The federal funds would Local lawmakers should
water aquifer,Parks said,and assessment district in 1998.It money should contact Boxer generate 250 local lend their support as well.
therefore at greater risk.The failed.
and U.S.Sen.Dianne construction jobs in 2011 and
But in 2000,voters Feinstein,who Is on the beyond.
potential threat approved Assessment District Senate Appropriations "In addition to construction
In 1996,the district 11,which generated$6 Committee. job creation,the ongoing