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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 12 Cooperative Agreement - Agricultural Pipeline ProjectCooperative Agreement for Regional Agricultural Pipeline Conversion Project - Lake Elsinore Outlet Channel August 23, 2016 Good Evening Mayor Tisdale and Members of the City Council. 1 Proposed Agreement Agreement between the City, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCD) $35,000 contribution for the design of proposed Regional Agricultural Pipeline Conversion Project Funding to be provided through the existing Lake Maintenance Fund. Total Cost $105,000 for Dudek – RFP issued by EVMWD earlier this year, 3 RFPs received Dudek More Specifically: The objectives of the project are: Evaluate the needs for converting the AG pipeline to convey treated effluent to a new outlet structure at Lake Elsinore, which currently is discharged through Riverside County Flood Control’s Outflow Channel Design of the pipeline and outlet structure for discharge of effluent from the converted AG pipeline to Lake Elsinore. 3. Specification of replacement outfall pumps at EVMWD’s Regional Water Reclamation Facility 2 History of Outflow Channel Developed as a flood control channel for outflows only. RCFCWCD has jurisdiction over the channel. Required a habitat set aside area for environmental mitigation. EVMWD obtained permission from Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCD) to use the Outlet Channel as the means of getting the reclaimed water to the Lake. Currently, per an agreement between EVMWD and Flood, the more than 5 million gallons of recycled water is discharged through the outflow channel from the regional As a result of the constant supply of water, vegetation has flourished within the channel bottom; the vegetation obstructs the water flow and consumes the reclaimed water, reducing what actually reaches the Lake. The vegetation has also created maintenance issues for RCFCWCD, the agency responsible for maintenance of the channel. 3 Proposed Project Last year, identified an existing 36” RCP agricultural pipeline (no longer in use) was discovered in the channel. The agricultural pipeline runs parallel in the channel from EVMWD’s discharge point for approximately 5,000 feet from Wasson Sil to Limited. A partial inspection was conducted and shows the pipeline to be in apparent good condition. The associated pumps are in need of replacement due to age. Estimate 200,000 to 400,000 gallons lost per day due to overland transmission 2 different discharge locations 4 Proposed Benefits Less channel vegetation Reduced maintenance costs Reduced evaporation and evapo-transpiration = MORE WATER FOR LAKE ELSINORE Upon discovery of the agricultural pipeline, a committee comprised of staff from the City, EVMWD and RCFCWCD met to discuss its use for discharge of reclaimed water to the Lake. committee is in concurrence that the use of the agricultural pipeline will provide for reductions in channel vegetation, maintenance costs, evaporation and evapo-transpiration and result in an increase of discharge flows reaching the Lake, along with providing for long term savings to all parties Estimate 20 to 25% savings EVMWD agreed to prepare and circulate an RFP to solicit bids for design. The design will investigate the re-use of the existing line, along with the extension of the line to the lake. 5 Next Steps Design is expected to be completed by spring of 2017. RCFCWCD to coordinate with local, state and federal resource agency regarding the proposed project. RCFCWCD to study and address any potential environmental impacts as required by the CEQA process. Proposed design, costs and related agreements to be presented to the City Council for future consideration. Any future agreements will include the flexibility to discharge recycled water through the pipeline and/or channel so in effect we are not limiting the future opportunities related to the Riverwalk.  Instead, we are creatively trying to get more water into the lake when needed during times of drought like we are currently facing. Coordinating and responding to any requirements by local, state or federal stakeholders including the Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. 6 MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.6719109,-117.3337012,2367m/data=!3m1!1e3 7