For Water Subcommittee Meeting March 27, 2025
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
FROM: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
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Staff request that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on the participation in the Rialto-Colton Basin Groundwater effort with a cost-share of $22,250. (ACTION)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on the participation in the Rialto-Colton Basin Groundwater effort with a cost-share of $22,250.
BACKGROUND
On November 10, 2020, the Rialto City Council/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) Board approved the Rialto Basin Groundwater Council Framework Agreement, as required by a lawsuit settlement against Fontana Union Water Company (FUWC) involving San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, RUA, the City of Colton, and West Valley Water District (WVWD). The agreement mandated the formation of a Groundwater Council to promote sustainable groundwater management in the Rialto Basin.
In February 2021, the Rialto Basin Groundwater Council (RBGC) was established to coordinate and implement groundwater management efforts, including the development of a Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP). The RBGC consists of elected officials from the four agencies and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with agency staff.
On December 9, 2021, the RBGC Board unanimously awarded Stetson Engineers Inc. a $215,000 contract to develop the GWMP, with WVWD serving as the contracting agency. The cost was shared equally among the four agencies, with RUA’s portion being $53,750.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
At this stage in the GWMP’s development, Stetson is requesting additional funding and a contract extension to December 2025. More effort than anticipated was needed to assess and select the most suitable groundwater model for the Basin and to conduct extensive modeling to evaluate the basin-wide impacts of imported water recharge. Additional analysis was also required to investigate why groundwater levels did not rise following the wet year of 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Goal 3-8: Promote affordable and quality water service capable of adequately meeting normal and emergency water demands to all areas in Rialto.
Policy 3-8.4: Advocate regular evaluation of the entire water supply and distribution system to ensure its continued adequacy, reliability, and safety.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The total amount to complete additional tasks of the GWMP is $89,000, shared equally among the four agencies. RUA’s portion is $22,250, which falls within the Utilities Director’s signature authority.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed action is not expected to impact the City’s Capital Improvement Budget.