Title
Authorization to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Municipal Water Providers to Support a Regional Advanced Water Purification Facility Study (Ordinance S-49561)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with other Arizona municipal water providers to support a regional advanced water purification facility study. There is no financial obligation associated with the MOU other than staff time.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix has an established history of far-sighted water resource management and planning. The result of that foresight is an abundant and resilient water portfolio that has been the basis of the extraordinary growth and economic development that the City has enjoyed over the past 100 years.
Water resource management, including support and compliance with Arizona’s innovative groundwater laws, has led to a reduction of the City’s gallons per capita per day water consumption rate and to its ability to serve a significantly greater population today with less water than it used thirty years ago. Advanced water planning and the investment in water resources allows the City to rely on a resilient portfolio of water resources, including SRP water, Central Arizona Project water, leased Indian water, water captured by Modified Roosevelt Dam, and water stored underground.
Nonetheless, the past 20 years of drought or aridification on the Colorado River system has led to stresses on the City’s water supplies, most notably the Colorado River water available through the Central Arizona Project. Recognizing that it is time to continue the City’s legacy of long-range water resource management and planning, City staff recommends taking initial steps toward use of the most significant, reliable, and unused water supplies readily available in the State-unused and uncommitted wastewater. Water purification technology has now advanced to allow wastewater to be treated for safe direct use.
The MOU would invite other Arizona municipal water providers to join with Phoenix in taking steps toward developing a Regional Advanced Water Purification Facility Financing Study and Project Plan, along with a cost-share agreement to share the costs of that study and plan. The participants would also explore potential governance options for a regional facility and examine water management tools and arrangements that could extend the benefits of a regional plant to the maximum extent possible throughout the region and State. The MOU is a non-binding expression of intent among the parties.
Contract Term
The MOU will become effective upon its execution by Phoenix and at least two other municipal water providers. This MOU will terminate upon the execution of the cost share agreement, the voluntary withdrawal from this MOU by Phoenix, or if fewer than three parties remain as participants to the MOU.
Financial Impact
The MOU imposes no financial obligation on any party, other than staff time.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.