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City of Palmdale Public Works

Utilities

661/267-5272
38250 Sierra Highway

The Utilities Division provides the City with a cost-effective, dependable Sewer Maintenance Program and high quality Recycled Water Program at a reasonable cost to city facilities and schools. The Division's responsibilities include addressing the immediate needs of the residents and facilities, directing the funds invested into the programs to the sewer system and recycled water system serving the City, and helping to ensure that the City is compliant with all applicable regulations.

Recycled Water

Mission Statement:
To provide high quality recycled water at a reasonable cost to city facilities. To work with the community and other recycled water retailing agencies to reduce the amount of water waste that is generated by the City; to ensure that all water is used efficiently to help prevent the shortage of recycled water; and to provide easy to use and convenient services to the community for the implementation of local ordinances.

Background:
In 2009, the City of Palmdale became the retail recycled water supplier for that portion of the City of Palmdale not served by Los Angeles County Waterworks, District No. 40. The Recycled Water section is sanctioned to install and maintained the backbone and distribution system for the City's recycled water region to provide recycled water to city facilities such as parks and landscape maintenance districts. The City's goal is to provide 2,000 acre-feet of water to city facilities and schools upon build out of the recycled water system and reduce the city's dependence on imported water as mandated by the State.

Program Activities:
Work with other recycled water-retailing agencies to ensure that adequate recycled water supply and pressure are available to the City in the event of a disaster.

Implement required agreements and ensure compliance with state regulations for users on the reclamation distribution system.

Provide guidance, training education materials, and signage for landscape and other uses of reclaimed water.

Monitor reports and complaints of landscape ordinance violations.

Work with retailing agencies, residents, and businesses on the implementation of local landscaping and water wasting ordinances.

Work with other recycled water retailing agencies to ensure that adequate recycled water supply is available for development of new industrial and professional businesses and planning, designing, and constructing facilities.

Key Goals & Objectives for Fiscal Year 2011-12:

Complete Recycled Water Backbone line design from Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant to the proposed Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant.
Establish Disaster Preparedness Programs with other recycled water retailing agencies and potable water agencies.
Amend Recycled Water Facilities Plan to include new developments and newly constructed facilities.
Design and construct Phase 2 of the Recycled Water Facilities Plan to provide recycled water for city facilities.
Obtain funding through grants to construct Phase 2 of the Recycled Water Facilities Plan.

Sewer Maintenance

Mission Statement: To provide the City with a cost-effective, dependable Sewer Maintenance Program, which will address the immediate needs of the residents, will direct the funds invested into the program to the sewer system serving the City, and will help to ensure that the City is compliant with all applicable regulations.

Background:
On June 8, 2006, the City established a sewer collection service charge to fund for the collection, maintenance, and operation of the Palmdale sewer system. The Sewer Maintenance section currently maintains 396 miles of sewers ranging in size from 8 to 21-inches in diameter, 8,441 manholes, two pump stations, and 2,790 feet of force sewer main for the City's residents and businesses. Sanitary Sewer Overflows and Hot Spot cleanings are contracted with the Los Angeles County Sewer Maintenance Division. A private contractor performs routine cleanings and Closed Circuit Television. The City currently cleans 836,000 feet and videos 258,000 feet of sewers per year.

Program Activities:
The Utilities Division activities include monitoring and operating the sanitary sewer collection system through construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repairs on the system along with monitoring and managing the collection system owners and operators to reduce sanitary sewer overflows and discharges to the lowest level possible through enhanced maintenance practices.

Key Goals & Objectives for Fiscal Year 2011-12:

Seek wide-range grants and other funding opportunities to maintain and expand services.
Update the City's Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
Perform an audit of the sewer connections within the City for customer classifications to better assure that the annual sewer service charges are being fairly and equitably applied.
Perform a rate study for fiscal years 2011 through 2013.
Create a F.O.G. public service announcement for Channel 27.
Increase the staffing to provide additional technical and clerical review of new requirements and maintenance activities.
Prepare an Emergency Operations Plan for Council's adoption.
Implement the use of RMConsole to assist staff in review of new sewer systems.

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