HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2510-5282CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
6.Approval of the City of Palo Alto’s Updated 2026 Water, Gas, and Wastewater Utility
Standards (Design and Construction); CEQA Status- Not a Project.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Utilities
Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
Report #:2510-5282
TITLE
Approval of the City of Palo Alto’s Updated 2026 Water, Gas, and Wastewater Utility Standards
(Design and Construction); CEQA Status- Not a Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the City of Palo Alto’s updated 2026 Water, Gas,
and Wastewater Utility Standards (2026 WGW Utility Standards).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a utility best practice, the City’s Water, Gas, and Wastewater Utility Standards (WGW Utility
Standards), which include utility design standards and construction specifications are reviewed
and updated periodically. The review and updating of the standards ensures that the City’s
design and construction practices remain current with regulatory requirements, industry
materials, and efficient construction practices. This staff report provides information on the
updated WGW Utility Standards1, a redline version showing the recommended changes2, and
the previous version of the Standards provided to City Council in 20243.
BACKGROUND
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) Department’s Water, Gas, and Wastewater (WGW)
Engineering Division implements standard design and construction specifications for water, gas,
and wastewater facilities, set forth in the WGW Utility Standards, as updated periodically. City
staff and contractors will reference the WGW Utility Standards for construction work on CPAU-
1 2026 WGW Utility Standards Proposed Changes (Clean Version)
http://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-
minutes/2026/january/2026-wgw-utility-standards_proposed-changes-clean-version.pdf
2 2026 WGW Utility Standards Proposed Changes (Redline Version)
http://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-
minutes/2026/january/2026-wgw-utility-standards_proposed-changes-redline-version.pdf
3 City Council, June 3, 2024; Agenda Item #19; SR #2404-2860,
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=14299
owned facilities within the public right-of-way and on private property to ensure that utility
infrastructure is constructed and maintained in a safe, uniform, and reliable manner. The WGW
Utility Standards include installation requirements, material specifications, and standardized
configurations.
ANALYSIS
Establish an annual or bi-annual update cycle to keep the standards current with new
technologies, codes, and construction practices.
Additional required items for progress payments (Section 800).
Additional third-party codes and standards incorporated by reference (Section 800).
Update the Water Design and Construction Standards section (Section 2660)
comprehensively to align with current state regulations, incorporating new design
criteria, material specifications, and system performance requirements. The revisions
clarify pressure, separation, and installation standards while introducing stricter testing,
certification, and digital documentation procedures to ensure safety, reliability, and
regulatory compliance. The updates also include changes related to backflow preventers
as part of the state’s Cross-Connection Control Program. Although these changes may
have associated cost implications for customers and developers, the assessment of such
costs is beyond the scope of the Utility Standards, which are limited to documenting
required updates resulting from state regulations.
Revise the Natural Gas Distribution System section (Section 2685) to align with federal
pipeline safety regulations and modernize materials, testing, and installation
requirements. Updates include clarifications for incorporating by reference CFR Title 49,
Part 192.7; updating service length protection for different models of Excessive Flow
Valve (EFV) fittings; specifying the make of the EFVs; clarifying transition fitting
specifications; establishing minimum standards for manufacturer testing; and defining
the horizontal design location of new gas mains relative to parallel utility lines.
Comprehensively revise and expand the Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation section
(Section 2736) with defined ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials
International) requirements, including testing, quality control, and performance
standards.
Update Survey and GIS data collection standards section (Section 2740) to require the
use of additional City GPS control point feature codes.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
LINKS
APPROVED BY: