TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
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Approval of plans and specifications for Well 29 Equipping Project and authorization to advertise for bids
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2. Summary
Plans and specifications have been completed for Well 29 Equipping Project (W-734). The project is ready to be advertised for bids. The estimated construction cost, including contingencies, is $8,300,000.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the plans and specifications and authorize advertising for Bid No. 26-27.11, Well 29 Equipping Project (W-734).
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4. Fiscal Impact
None at this time. Costs and potential appropriations will be included as part of future Council action to award contract.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
The City’s primary water supply is groundwater drawn from municipal wells located throughout the city. Well 29 is located at 1715 W. Struck Avenue, on the same site as the previous Well 8. Per and Polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) levels at Well 8 exceeded the regulatory limits causing the well to be removed from service in 2018. Well 29 is needed to meet City capacity needs and reduce the reliance on water imported by the Metropolitan Water District from the Colorado River and from northern California.
The Well 29 project is being built in two construction phases. Phase One, which included drilling of the well, was successfully completed in April 2026. Phase Two, for which we are requesting authorization to bid, encompasses equipping of the well with the necessary pumping and water treatment equipment. Well 29 is expected to produce approximately 3,000 gallons per minute in flow capacity.
The scope of work for well equipping includes construction of electrical and chemical buildings, installation of a new well pump, motor, electrical transformer and panels, sound enclosure, PFAS ion exchange treatment system and piping, backup generator, perimeter wall reconstruction, and other appurtenances.
The engineering estimate for the construction phase of the project is $8,300,000, including 10% contingency. The Well 29 Equipping Project is eligible to receive reimbursement funding from Orange County Water District for PFAS related construction costs via its PFAS Treatment Systems Program.
Construction is expected to begin in Summer 2027 and be completed by Summer 2028.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On February 11, 2020, Orange City Council determined the proposed project is categorically exempt (Classes 1, 2, and 3) from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA guidelines Section 15301, 15302 and 15303. CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 categorically exempts projects that involve the addition of safety or health protection devices in conjunction with existing facilities and involve negligible or no expansion of use. Section 15302 categorically exempts projects that consist of replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities where the facilities will be located on the same site as the facilities replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the facilities replaced. Section 15303 categorically exempts projects that consist of the installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures.
On January 27, 2026, the City or Orange City Council adopted Resolution No. 11655, wherein this project was found to be exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 and 15330. The appeal period for the finding of CEQA exemption for this project expired on July 27, 2026, and is now final.
8. ATTACHMENTS
• Location Map