Utilities Commission - Planning Committee - 2026-02-05
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Utilities Commission Planning Committee received updates on two major infrastructure initiatives: a campus realignment modernization project exploring public-private partnership (P3) delivery options with estimated costs of $133-246 million depending on configuration, and a Groundwater Resilience Program (GRP) with a 12-year timeline and $316 million total cost to construct a new 10 MGD water treatment plant, three production wells, and approximately 50,000 linear feet of pipeline on the west side of Long Beach.
Key Decisions (4)
Campus Realignment Modernization Update Received
Committee received update on campus consolidation project exploring P3 delivery methods. Four options presented: Options 1-2 at $225 million utilizing Spring and treatment plant campuses; Option 3 at $246 million for centralized campus at treatment plant; Option 4 at $133 million for renovations at current location plus new construction at Spring Street. Team includes consultant Jeff Fullerton and former deputy city attorney Rich Anthony who worked on Long Beach Civic Center P3 project.
December 2024 Planning Committee Meeting Minutes Approved
Committee approved meeting minutes from December 4, 2025 Planning Committee meeting.
Groundwater Resilience Program Overview Received
Committee received comprehensive overview of GRP to construct new 10 MGD water treatment plant at JW Johnson Reservoir site, three production wells, and approximately 50,000 linear feet of 24-30 inch pipeline. Total escalated cost estimate is $316,130,000 over 12-year timeline (June 2026 - May 2038). Program aims to increase local groundwater supply from 55% to 75% and reduce imported water dependency from 30% to 7%. Key milestone identified as January 2028 feasibility study completion as 'point of no return.'
MWD Pure Water Project Judicial Streamlining Support Letter Received
Committee received and filed letter of support sent by Long Beach Utilities for Metropolitan Water District's application for judicial streamlining for the Pure Water Project. Governor's office approved judicial streamlining in December, which can reduce litigation timeline by up to three years. MWD board expected to consider EIR certification next week.
Development Activity (4)
Campus Realignment Modernization Project
Four options under consideration: Options 1-2 at $225 million for dual campus approach; Option 3 at $246 million for centralized campus at treatment plant; Option 4 at $133 million for renovations plus new warehouse construction at Spring Street. Exploring P3 delivery methods similar to Long Beach Civic Center project.
Groundwater Resilience Program - Treatment Plant West
New 10 MGD water treatment plant with PFAS treatment system using ion exchange technology. Cost baseline estimate $85.5 million. Part of $316 million total program. Designed to serve current MWD/JWJ service zone with approximately 10 million gallon per day demand.
Groundwater Resilience Program - Production Wells
Three production wells minimum required. Cost baseline estimate $14 million. Two-phase delivery: drilling followed by equipping. Scheduled May 2029 - June 2034.
Groundwater Resilience Program - Pipeline Infrastructure
Approximately 50,000 linear feet of 24-30 inch pipeline including: West Basin Expansion Line (16,000 LF of 24-inch), Capacity Enhancement Line (12,500 LF of 30-inch), and System Unification Line (17,000 LF of 30-inch). Cost baseline estimate $35 million.
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Long Beach Utilities exploring P3 delivery methods for major capital projects, citing Long Beach Civic Center project as model that achieved cost-neutral equation through land trades, operational efficiencies, and deferred maintenance recognition.
Infrastructure
City pursuing aggressive water independence strategy to reduce imported water dependency from 30% to 7% and increase local groundwater supply from 55% to 75%, representing major long-term infrastructure investment.
Infrastructure
PFAS treatment systems using ion exchange technology identified as most cost-effective solution based on coordination with Santa Monica, Anaheim, and Yorba Linda implementations.
Infrastructure
Metropolitan Water District's Pure Water Project received judicial streamlining approval from Governor's office, potentially reducing environmental litigation timeline by up to three years for regional water infrastructure.