HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-06 City CouncilCity of Polo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
February 6, 1997 CMR:139:97
Palo Alto Water Main Distribution Flushing Program - Status Report
REQUEST
This is an informational report on the status of the Water Utility’s annual Water Main
Distribution System Flushing Program. It advises Council why such a program is required and
when it will be implemented. No Council action is required.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There are no recommendations and no City Council action required at this time.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not contain any change to existing policies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Historically, the City of Palo Alto, and approximately 85 percent of water utilities in the United
States, uses main flushing to improve water quality for water customers. Water utilities may
flush distribution mains for a variety of reasons: corrosion control, sediment removal, taste and
odor control, control of color, high turbidity, low chlorine residuals, or bacteriological growths,
or as a response to customer complaints. The main objectives of Palo Alto’s flushing program
are to improve water quality, control bacterial growth and for sediment removal. The Water
Utility Operations Section had fewer water quality complaints as a result of the 1996 Water
Main Flushing Program.
Between 1990 and 1993 calendar years, the Palo Alto Water Utility did not perform an annual
main flushing program because of the drought. During this period, customer water consumption
was also reduced, thereby accelerating sediment buildup in the mains. Subsequently, during the
1992 year, numerous calls were received complaining about water quality. At that time, staff
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took water samples in response to these calls and found that the reduced water quality was due
to the buildup of sediment in the mains. Also, City Fire Department personnel found more
sediment in their equipment from the City’s water system during 1992. Because of sediment
buildup in previous years, staff has determined that the main flushing program will be
performed again this year.
The water distribution flushing program will be implemented and maintained on an annual
basis. Beginning March 17, 1997 and continuing through March 23, 1997, the City’s Water
Utility Operations Section will open fire hydrants to flush out sediment which has collected in
the mains during the past year.
The water system main flushing map and schedule will be mailed to the City’s water customers
through utility billings and displayed in the Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Daily, City Internet
Home Page, and on the Cable Co-op community access channel.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this work are budgeted in the FY 1996-1997 Water Utility Operations’ budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The water flushing program is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality
Act, Section 15301 (maintenance of public facilities).
ATTACHMENTS
Water System Flushing Schedule
PREPARED BY: Chuck Borg, Senior Engineer, W-G-W
DEPARTMENT HEAD APPROVAL:
Director of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
(J~E F~-~MING
City Manager
CMR:139:97 Page 2 of 2
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