Title
Request to Enter into Joint Funding Agreement with United States Geological Survey for Water Study (Ordinance S-46085)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a microgravity survey of groundwater in the City’s Northeast Aquifer. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The project is projected to cost $465,800; the USGS will contribute an amount not to exceed $215,000 and the City will contribute an amount not to exceed $250,800.
Report
Summary
The USGS provides scientific research in water resource management and has specialized expertise in assessing aquifer water conditions by measuring changes in the earth’s gravitational field over time. The USGS has conducted numerous microgravity surveys and is an expert in this scientific method. The Water Services Department (WSD) wishes to employ this aquifer monitoring methodology for a water study in the Northeast Aquifer of the City, where most of the current and future water storage will take place using the City’s Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) wells. The purpose of the investigation is to establish the background gravity field and conduct future, repeat measurements over time to assess gravity changes attributed to the City’s ASR operations. Upon establishing the baseline network and completing the repeat microgravity measurements, the USGS will process and analyze the data to produce maps of the gravity and aquifer changes. USGS will compile the data and maps, and then prepare a summary report for the City. The survey results will assist the City in making decisions regarding the temporal and spatial elements of its aquifer storage and recovery program. The total cost of the five-year program is projected to be $465,800.
Contract Term
This JFA will be for a term of three years, with two, one-year options to extend.
Financial Impact
Funding for this project is available in the Water Services Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Location
Various locations.
Council District: 2
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.