HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-08 City Council (7)City of Palo Alto
C ty Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
FEBRUARY 8, 1999 CMR: 137:99
PALO ALTO WATER MAIN DISTRIBUTION FLUSHING
PROGRAM - STATUS REPORT
This is an informational report and no Council acion is required.
DISCUSSION
Historically, the City of Palo Alto and approximately 85 percent of water utilities in the
United States use 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, 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 in 1998
as a result of the Water Main Flushing Program.
Between the 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. During
the 1992 year, numerous calls were received complaining about water quality. At that time,
stafftook 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.
Since 1993, the water distribution flushing program has been implemented and maintained
on an annual basis. Beginning March 15, 1999 and continuing through March 21, 1999, the
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 Intemet Home Page, and on the Cable Co-op community access channel.
CMR:137:99 Page 1 of 2
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds for this work are budgeted in the FY 1998-1999 Water Utility Operations’ budget.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not contain any change to existing policies. The water flushing program is
categorically exempt under the California Environmemal Quality Act, Section 15301
(maintenance of public facilities).
ATTACHMENTS
Water System Flushing Schedule and Map
PREPARED BY: Romel Antonio, Charles Borg, Roger Cwiak
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
MRIZEK
Director of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMI’L~ HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
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