The West Orange County Water Board (WOCWB) is a joint powers authority created in 1967 by the cities of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Westminster for the purpose of maintenance and operation of shared water transmission lines for imported water. One of the connections is located near Bolsa/Newland and is referred to as OC-9. The other connection is located near Westminster/Willow and is referred to as OC-35.

Of those shared water transmission lines, the OC-9 and OC-35 transmission lines require life extension, as each pipeline is 64 years and 56 years old respectively. The average lifespan of a cement lined and coated steel pipeline ranges between 70-80 years. The options to ensure that water service to member agencies would continue into the future would be to replace the pipelines in 10 to 20 years at a cost of $50 million or install a CP at a cost of $8 million. On March 18, 2020, the WOCWB voted to proceed with the installation of a CP, which is also the most cost effective solution.

The joint powers agreement requires that the WOCWB prepare a proposed annual budget and that each of the contracting public agencies approve the budget before its adoption.  The total WOCWB budget for fiscal year 2021-22 is $1,649,000 for operational expenses and capital costs. A table showing the annual breakdown by agency is included as an attachment.

The WOCWB estimates that OC-9 will cost $3.8 million for a CP and OC-35 would cost $4.2 million for a CP. Due to these costs, WOCWB staff is recommending that the member agencies make an annual payment to a special fund over an eight-year period in order to finance both projects. The WOCWB would accumulate funds for OC-9 based on agency ownership share for the first four years, with design to begin in year three and construction in year four. Similarly, the WOCWB would accumulate funds for OC-35 in years five through eight, with design in year seven and construction in year eight.

The City of Garden Grove Water Services Division share is set at 4.2 percent of the total operational expenses and CP project cost and amount, for an annual total of $47,208. There is no impact to the General Fund. This will be funded by the Water Enterprise Fund. 

• Approve the West Orange County Water Board Fiscal Year 2021/22 proposed cost sharing budget for operational expenses and cathodic protection system project cost.

By: Samuel Kim, Water Services Manager