BACKGROUND
The last Water Master Plan (WMP) was completed in 2008. Many of the priorities that included fire flow deficiency pipeline improvements, service replacements, valve replacements, well site redevelopment projects, facility rehabilitation and improvement projects that were recommended in the 2008 WMP have been completed. Some of the projects that were identified in the 2008 WMP are in construction this fiscal year. It is industry standard to update the WMP every five to ten years to ensure that water systems continue to provide adequate service to customers, meet the latest regulatory requirements, and accommodate any factors and events within last ten years that may impact water systems.
A primary focus of the 2019 WMP will be to re-evaluate and update fire flow availability and requirements. Since 2008, the Garden Grove Unified School District has modernized schools to convert all fire protection to a sprinkler system. This requires proper assessment and re-establishment of fire flow requirements throughout the City.
Another focus of the master plan will be addressing the newly adopted regulations that affect water system planning. The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 requires communities to assess risk to and resilience of their water systems to malevolent acts or natural hazards. The required assessments need to be done by March 2020. The 2019 WMP will also address replacement of the City’s aging infrastructure. The majority of the water distribution system is made up of asbestos cement pipes that are over 50 years old. This requires proactive attention, evaluation, and prioritization for replacement based on their life span to minimize main pipe breaks.
In addition, this master plan update will include hydraulic model update, booster pump stations & facilities assessment, SCADA assessment, Asset Management Plan, and other necessary assessments and evaluations of the water system. The 2019 WMP will provide a road map to guide expenditures to address the City’s highest priority needs.