Funding Opportunity Announcement No. R22AS00023 

WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning 

Pure Water AV Title XVI Planning Grant Application 

Pure Water Antelope Valley 

Applicant: 

Palmdale Water District 

2029 E Ave Q 

Palmdale, California 93550 

Project Manager: 

Scott Rogers 

2029 E Ave Q 

Palmdale, California 93550 

srogers@palmdalewater.org 

661-456-1020 
Table of Contents 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1 

1.0 PROJECT LOCATION................................................................................................... 2 

2.0 TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION........................................................................ 3 

3.0 RESPONSES TO EVALUATION CRITERIA.................................................................. 4 

3.1 PROJECT PLANNING AND ANALYSIS (30 POINTS) ................................................... 4 

3.1.1 Water Recycling Needs and Opportunities.....................................................4 

3.1.2 Evaluation of Project Alternatives...................................................................9 

3.2 STRETCHING WATER SUPPLIES (20 POINTS)..........................................................13 

3.3 ENVIRONMENT AND WATER QUALITY (20 POINTS) ................................................16 

3.3.1 Groundwater quality .....................................................................................16 

3.3.2 Effluent discharge quality .............................................................................16 

3.3.3 Flow of natural streams................................................................................16 

3.3.4 Habitat for non-listed species .......................................................................16 

3.3.5 Habitat for federally listed species................................................................17 

3.4 DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR PRIORITIES (15 POINTS)............................................17 

3.4.1 Climate Change ...........................................................................................17 

3.4.2 Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities ..............................................18 

3.4.3 Tribal Benefits ..............................................................................................18 

3.5 WATERSHED PERSPECTIVE (15 POINTS) ................................................................19 

4.0 PROJECT BUDGET .....................................................................................................21 

4.1 FUNDING PLAN AND LETTERS OF COMMITMENT ...................................................21 

4.2 BUDGET PROPOSAL...................................................................................................21 

4.3 BUDGET NARRATIVE ..................................................................................................22 

4.3.1 Personnel.....................................................................................................22 

4.3.2 Fringe Benefits.............................................................................................22 

4.3.3 Travel...........................................................................................................22 

4.3.4 Equipment....................................................................................................22 

4.3.5 Supplies .......................................................................................................22 

4.3.6 Contractual...................................................................................................23 

4.3.7 Construction.................................................................................................25 

4.3.8 Other............................................................................................................25 

4.3.9 Indirect Costs ...............................................................................................25 

5.0 REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS .....................................................................25 

6.0 OFFICIAL RESOLUTION..............................................................................................26 

7.0 LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT AND LETTERS OF 

PARTICIPATION ..........................................................................................................26 

8.0 OVERLAP OR DUPLICATION OF EFFORT STATEMENT ..........................................27 

i 
9.0 UNIFORM AUDIT REPORTING STATEMENT .............................................................28 

10.0 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT .............................................28 

11.0 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS...........................................................................29 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 3-1. Current Water Demands by Demand Category ......................................................... 5 

Table 3-2. Summary of Current and Projected Water Supplies for PWD.................................... 6 

Table 3-3. Comparison of Projected Water Supply and Average Annual Water Demand........... 8 

Table 3-4. Construction Cost Summary for Alternative 1...........................................................12 

Table 3-5. Preliminary schedule showing major tasks and dates related to the Pure 

Water AV Project ........................................................................................................13 

Table 4-1 Summary of Non-Federal and Federal funding sources ............................................21 

Table 4-2 Total Project Cost Table............................................................................................22 

Table 5-1 Potential Permits required for the AWPF...................................................................25 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1-1 Project Location ........................................................................................................ 2 

Figure 3-1. Alternative 1 Groundwater Augmentation Schematic ..............................................10 

Figure 3-2. Alternative 2 Surface Water Augmentation Schematic ............................................11 

Figure 3-3. Alternative 3 Raw Water Augmentation Schematic .................................................11 

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 

ATTACHMENT A OFFICIAL RESOLUTION ..........................................................................A.1 

ATTACHMENT B LETTERS OF SUPPORT...........................................................................B.1 

ii 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Date: February 28, 2023 

About the Applicant: The applicant is Palmdale Water District (PWD) (the District), located in Palmdale, 

Los Angeles County, California, which is 40 miles northeast of the City of Los Angeles. The District serves 

125,000 people west of the Mojave Desert through imported and local surface water, and groundwater from 

the overdrafted and adjudicated Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin (AV Basin). PWD’s entire service area 

is a state-designated Large Disadvantaged Community with a median household income of $55,129, which 

is 65% of the California statewide median household income. The community experiences multiple 

environmental justice concerns according to federal indicators, including being above the 95th percentile for 

poverty, unemployment, housing costs, and climate risks. 

Project Summary: The Pure Water Antelope Valley (Pure Water AV) (Project) is a regional recycled water 

program that will augment potable water supplies using PWD’s 5,325 acre-feet per year (AFY) recycled 

water allocation from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant 

(PWRP). The tertiary wastewater will be treated to indirect potable standards and directly injected into the 

AV Basin. In line with the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity, the Project resolves near-term 

water shortages, alleviates additional subsidence in the overdrafted AV Basin, and addresses the 

uncertainty of future supplies from the State Water Project (SWP) due to climate change. Given the 

disadvantaged status and multiple environmental justice concerns in Palmdale, these benefits also closely 

align with the Department of Interior priorities. Project development is currently underway and is in the early 

stages. Due to the urgent need for federal and/or state funding in this disadvantaged area, PWD has 

prioritized the development of a Title XVI Feasibility Study, which is under development but has not been 

submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation at the time of application submittal. To continue to advance the 

Project towards construction, PWD is requesting $714,670 for eligible activities occurring between October 

31, 2023 and October 31, 2025. Eligible activities include site surveying, geotechnical studies, preliminary 

planning and design preparation, environmental studies and regulatory compliance, permitting, and an 

evaluation of expanded capacity to 10 MGD. These activities are all necessary for advancing the 

development of the Project. 

The Project is not located on a Federal facility and does not involve Federal land. 

Length of time and estimated completion of the project: Project planning, environmental compliance, 

and preliminary design is proposed to occur between Fall 2022 and Fall 2025. Eligible costs included in this 

Title XVI Planning Grant proposal will occur from October 31, 2023 to October 31, 2025. Final design and 

construction will occur from 2026 to 2028, with Project startup in early 2029. 

1 
 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

1.0 PROJECT LOCATION 

The Pure Water AV program will be located in the City of Palmdale. Palmdale is in Los Angeles County, 

California, and is North of the San Gabriel Mountains and on the Western end of the Mojave Desert. PWD 

provides service to an area of approximately 40 square miles to the City of Palmdale and unincorporated 

areas in Los Angeles County. 

Additional details about the Project location can be made available upon request. 

Figure 1-1 Project Location 

2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

2.0 TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

Applicant Category: Funding Group I 

Eligibility of Applicant: Palmdale Water District is a water district located in the state of California. The 

District was formed under the provisions of Division 11 of the Water Code of the State of California. Under 

the law, the District’s primary functions are to acquire, control, conserve, store and distribute water for the 

beneficial use of inhabitants and water users within the District. 

Goals: 

The Pure Water AV Program goals include reliably meeting water demands, reducing reliance on imported 

water, alleviating groundwater overdraft, improving water quality, and directly improving climate resilience 

of the disadvantaged and underserved community served by PWD. With drought-induced water shortages 

potentially reaching 10 MGD in the next two years and 13.1 MGD by 2045, options for increasing water 

supplies within PWD’s service area are limited. Local supplies are constrained due to overdraft conditions 

in the adjudicated AV Basin and surface water allocation restrictions. Groundwater recharge via surface 

spreading is limited by geologic conditions. The availability of imported State Water Project (SWP) water is 

anticipated to fluctuate and gradually reduce over time, posing reliability concerns and potential constraints 

to the program, particularly with the worsening drought conditions in the State. The Pure Water AV Program 

will allow PWD to maximize its recycled water allocation to meet potable demands and increase water 

supply reliability with a drought-resilient water supply that adds flexibility to the PWD water system. 

Anticipated to use subsurface injection methods, the Project would alleviate groundwater overdraft and 

improve water quality in the groundwater basin. These combined impacts would increase the climate 

resilience of a disadvantaged community with income less than 65% of the statewide median income and 

with multiple environmental justice concerns. 

Approach: 

PWD has conducted a number of studies that date back to as early as the 1990s to evaluate the water 

resources necessary to meet future water demands. Concepts evaluated to date include using recycled 

water for landscape irrigation, discharging into existing sand and gravel pits where the recycled water would 

replenish the groundwater basin naturally, as well as groundwater recharge (GWR) through the use of 

surface spreading recharge basins. When studying GWR via surface spreading, a series of subsequent 

pilot studies showed less than half of the original estimated recharge volume was realized, which 

challenged the feasibility of this alternative and prompted PWD to investigate other alternatives for a reliable 

water supply. 

PWD anticipates using GWR via subsurface injection to fully utilize its 5,325 AFY recycled water allocation 

from the LA County Sanitation District Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant (PWRP). The 4.75 MGD 

Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) is anticipated to include a treatment train consisting of microfiltration (MF), primary reverse osmosis (RO), secondary RO, and ultraviolet-advanced oxidation processes 

(UV-AOP) along with ancillary facilities such as break tanks, transfer pumps, chemical pump skids. The 

Pure Water AV Program would also include conveyance pipelines for tertiary water from the PWRP to the 

new AWPF, groundwater injection wells, and a pipeline to convey brine from the AWPF to brine evaporation 

ponds. Approximately 7,700 linear feet (LF) of 18-inch diameter pipe would be needed to convey tertiary 

feed water from the PWRP to the new AWPF, located on an undeveloped 15-acre parcel just east of PWD 

3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

headquarters. Equipment for the AWPF would be housed in a pre-engineered metal building and a separate 

operations and laboratory building would also be required adjacent to the AWPF. Advanced treated purified 

product water from the AWPF would be conveyed by approximately 500 LF of 16-inch diameter pipelines 

to two new injection wells located at the AWPF site. The brine from the RO system would be conveyed by 

approximately 17,000 LF of 6-inch diameter pipelines to new evaporation ponds (approximately 113 acres) 

to facilitate brine disposal at a separate nearby location. After the required residence time (groundwater 

travel time) as required by the State Water Resource Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW), 

groundwater will be extracted downgradient using two new municipal extraction wells (PWAV Extraction 

Wells #36 and 37) with a combined pumping capacity of 4,800 AFY to supply potable water to the service 

area. These Extraction Wells are necessary for Pure Water AV because without them, PWD would not have 

the pumping capacity required to extract the purified water in addition to its existing groundwater allotment. 

In the Spring of 2022, PWD secured Program Management services for the Project. The Program 

Management Team began planning activities in Fall 2022. Due to the high need for federal and state funding 

to move this project forward, PWD has expedited the preparation of a Title XVI Feasibility Study. The 

Feasibility Study is currently being prepared and is anticipated to be submitted to Reclamation in summer 

2023. However, the Project is still in the early stages of Project development and PWD will undertake many 

activities eligible under this Funding Opportunity to advance project development during the next three 

years. This Title XVI Planning Grant proposal includes all eligible planning, site surveys, environmental 

compliance, and preliminary design activities that will occur between October 31, 2023 and October 31, 

2025. These activities are necessary to get the Project to the stage of being ready for construction and for 

requesting Title XVI Construction funds. PWD has contracted Stantec to perform all activities associated 

with the planning, environmental compliance, and preliminary design for the AWPF. Additional contractors 

will be secured for a AWPF boundary survey, AWPF geotechnical studies, and the siting study, preliminary 

design, and environmental permitting for PWAV Extraction Well 37. 

The District is exploring the possibility of expanding the 4.75 MGD AWPF to a capacity of 10 MGD and 

securing an additional recycled water allocation from other local sources. Within the period of performance 

of this funding opportunity, PWD intends to evaluate the possibility of expansion of the full-scale AWPF. 

This will include an investigation into tertiary water sources, cost estimating, siting studies, funding 

strategies, groundwater modeling and brine management modeling. Expansion evaluation activities are 

requested in this proposal as they will allow PWD to continue to evaluate how the Project can use recycled 

water to meet potable needs. 

3.0 RESPONSES TO EVALUATION CRITERIA 

3.1 PROJECT PLANNING AND ANALYSIS (30 POINTS) 

3.1.1 Water Recycling Needs and Opportunities 

3.1.1.1 Problems and Needs 

Describe the problems and needs in the project area 

The majority of PWD’s potable water supply is imported water from the SWP. Several of its potable water 

supply sources depend either directly or indirectly on the SWP percent allocation determined annually by 

4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Imported SWP water is expected to continue to 

represent a significant portion of PWD water supply through 2045. However, with it comes considerable 

uncertainty about future cost and reliability. The available supply from the SWP is dependent on external 

factors, including the amount and timing of rain and snowfall received each year, and the extreme weather 

due to climate change. Other factors affecting PWD’s water supply and demand include groundwater 

overdraft conditions and a lack of local storage capacity. La Niña events, which lead to decreased 

precipitation, and the overall drought seasonal outlook are useful determinants of PWD’s water supply 

reliability. Due to the effects of overdraft and drought, the reliability of both local groundwater and surface 

water supplies is becoming increasingly tenuous, resulting in a possible gap in PWD’s supply and demand. 

Consequently, there is a need to increase the basin’s overall safe yield and to diversify the region’s water 

supply sources using climate-resilient sources. 

3.1.1.2 Water demands 

Describe the current and projected water supplies and demands in the project area; include a discussion 

on supply and demand imbalances. Additional consideration will be given to proposals that explain how the 

problems and needs in the area may be impacted by climate change, and/or if supply and demand 

projections will include climate change information. 

Current water use categories are single- and multi- family residential, commercial/industrial, institutional 

and irrigation. Current water demands are summarized in Table 3-1 below, organized by demand category 

and based on 2020 data presented in PWD’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Projected water 

demands up to 2045, also based on the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, are shown in the table as 

well. The projected populations served each year are included for reference. 

As shown in the table, the majority of PWD’s potable water demand comes from the residential category. It 

should be noted that irrigation water demand is divided into potable and non-potable categories. The 

potable category refers to the part of the landscape irrigation demand that is met using potable water and 

is included in the table above. The non-potable category is not considered for the purposes of this analysis. 

Table 3-1. Current Water Demands by Demand Category 

Year 2020 2025 2035 2045 

Projected Population 

Served (no. of people) 126,062 128,998 138,554 153,766 

Demand Category Current Water 

Demand (AFY) Projected Potable Water Demand (AFY) (1) (2) 

Single-family residential 11,757 11,460 12,310 13,660 

Multi-family residential 1,555 1,450 1,560 1,730 

Commercial 1,190 1,170 1,390 1,730 

Industrial 1,637 1,350 1,480 1,700 

Landscape irrigation: 

potable 1,040 1,050 1,300 1,690 

Other (street sweeping, 

construction, and other 

various limited use 

meters) 

34 40 40 40 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Year 2020 2025 2035 2045 

Non-revenue water 

(system losses) 1,997 1,900 2,100 2,400 

Total (AFY) 19,210 18,420 20,180 22,950 

Total (MGD) 17.1 16.4 18.0 20.5 

Notes: 

1. All projected values are from PWD’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. 

2. Projected potable water demands are based on the 2017-2020 average demand values rather than the 2020 historical 

demand values to avoid over-estimating projected demand, given that 2020 had the highest demand that PWD has 

experienced in the past 6 years. 

3.1.1.3 Water Supplies 

PWD has three types of water supplies: potable, non-potable and water transfers. Table 3-2 summarizes 

current potable water supplies based on PWD’s 2021 Consumer Confidence Report and the anticipated 

water supply in a normal year from 2025 to 2045, based on established water agreements and data 

presented in PWD’s Final Urban Water Management Plan for 2020. PWD receives its potable water from 

three major sources: imported surface water from the SWP, surface water from Littlerock Reservoir, and 

groundwater pumped from the AV Basin. Tertiary recycled water is an additional water supply and is also 

discussed in this section. Most of PWRP’s effluent is beneficially used, with the exception of losses to 

evaporation and unintentional infiltration into the AV Basin. The tertiary treated recycled water is currently 

used mostly for landscape irrigation and is available for cattle feed crop agricultural use, as needed. 

Table 3-2. Summary of Current and Projected Water Supplies for PWD 

Water Source Description Current (2021)

Water Supply 

(AFY) 

Projected

Water Supply 

2025 

(AFY) 

Projected

Water Supply 

2035 

(AFY) 

Projected

Water Supply

2045 

(AFY) 

Imported Water (SWP) (2) 10,105 (1) 1,065 – 11,520 1,065 – 10,520 1,065 – 9,500 

Littlerock Dam (Surface Water 

Reservoir) 

674 3,000 3,500 4,000 

Groundwater 

Rights 

(Adjudication 

Judgment 

2015) 

Groundwater 

Supply (4) 

9,844(3) 

2,770 2,770 2,770 

Return Flow 

Credits (5) 

416– 6,620 416 – 6,045 416 – 5,458 

Butte Transfer Agreement (6) 0 0 – 5,410 0 – 4,940 0 – 4,460 

TOTAL (AFY) 20,623 7,251 – 29,320 8,924 – 27,775 8,251 – 26,188 

TOTAL (MGD) 18.4 6.5 - 26.2 6.9 - 24.8 7.4 - 23.4 

Notes: 

1. Final Table A SWP allocation from DWR for 2021 

2. Projected water supply low range values based on 5 percent allocation DWR issued to its SWP contractors in 2022. 

Projected water supply high range values based on estimated long-term average reliability of the SWP as indicated in the 

2021 State Water Project Delivery Capability Report and using a linear approach to estimate the percentage allocation for 

each year. 

3. Current total groundwater supply as reported in PWD’s 2021 Consumer Confidence Report. This includes PWD’s 

groundwater production right, their share of unused Federal Reserved Water Right Production, and return flow credits. 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

4. Projected groundwater supply values are based on PWD’s groundwater production rights only and do not account for 

unused Federal reserved rights. 

5. In accordance with PWD’s variable groundwater rights, the return flow credits are calculated as 39.1% of the addition of 

imported water from SWP and the Butte Transfer Agreement. 

6. Projected water supply low range values based on limited reliability during drier water years. Projected water supply high 

range values based on estimated long-term average reliability of the SWP as indicated in 2021’s Delivery Capability Report 

and using a linear approach to estimate the percentage allocation for each year. The current agreement ends in 2025 but 

may and is expected to be extended into the future. 

Imported Water: PWD has a contract for up to 21,300 AFY from the SWP but is allocated an annual 

percentage based on available supplies, which is dependent on rainfall and snowfall conditions in the Sierra 

Nevada mountains, the amount of water stored in northern California reservoirs (PWD, 2022), and the 

consequential effects of climate change. From 2010 to 2021, PWD received between 13 and 78 percent of 

their annual allocation. However, due to water supply conditions and ongoing drought at the time, in both 

2021 and 2022, DWR reduced PWD’s allocation to 5 percent. The projected average water supplies from 

the SWP, presented in the table, were calculated using a range of percent reliabilities from 5 percent to the 

estimated percent reliability for each year, along with the maximum entitlement mentioned above. Imported 

water supply is projected to decrease over time and remain highly uncertain, in part due to climate change. 

Surface Water: Littlerock Dam, built in 1922, is fed by natural runoff from snowpack in the local San Gabriel 

Mountains and from rainfall via Littlerock Creek. The water is then transferred from Littlerock Dam Reservoir 

to Lake Palmdale via the Palmdale ditch for storage prior to treatment and distribution. Because this water 

supply depends on precipitation levels, the effects of climate change are of important consideration. It 

should be noted that the dam’s capacity has been reduced due to sediment build-up. PWD has a sediment 

removal project to restore its capacity, but it will take approximately 7-12 years to do so. This timeframe is 

reflected in the table. 

Groundwater: Groundwater is pumped from the AV Basin through 22 wells across Palmdale and has 

accounted for an average of 35% of PWD’s water supplies from 2016 to 2020 (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). The 

Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin Adjudication (Judgement) and PWD’s variable groundwater rights were 

used to calculate projected groundwater supplies. In accordance with the Judgment of December 2015, 

PWD has a groundwater production right of 2,770 AFY, which is assumed constant through 2045. In 

addition to its groundwater production right, PWD also has a pumping allocation for return flow credits, in 

accordance with its variable groundwater rights. Return flow credits are equal to 39.1% of all the SWP 

imported water utilized by PWD either for direct use via the Leslie O. Carter WTP or pumped following 

recharge at existing or future banking projects. Climate change-induced projected decreases in imported 

water supply is also projected to decrease over time, which reduces return flow credits available. 

Water Transfer: PWD has a long-term lease agreement with Butte County for up to 10,000 AFY of its SWP 

water allocation. The lease has been amended and extended through 2031, with an opportunity for 

renegotiation and further extension. It is assumed that this supply will continue through 2045. This supply 

is projected to decrease over time due to climate change. 

Non-Potable Supplies: The LACSD PWRP produces about 10,700 AFY of Title 22 recycled water on 

average and is expected to grow to about 13,500 AFY by 2045 (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). Both PWD and the 

City of Palmdale have agreements with LACSD for a specific allocation of recycled water. PWD’s allocation 

of Title 22 Recycled Water from PWRP is 5,325 AFY (LACSD, 2016), which is currently used mostly for 

landscape irrigation and cattle feed crop agricultural use. While this is currently not a potable water source 

7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

(which is why it is not included in the table above), per the agreement with LACSD, the 5,325 AFY is 

recycled water available for groundwater or surface water augmentation (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). 

3.1.1.4 Imbalances in demand and supply 

Table 3-3 presents a comparison of the average annual water demands and the projected water supplies 

for years 2025, 2035 and 2045. The values for the projected water supplies and the average annual water 

demands are derived from the data presented in Table 3-1 and Table 3-2. 

Table 3-3. Comparison of Projected Water Supply and Average Annual Water Demand 

Year Water Supply Range (1) 

(MGD) 

Average Annual 

Water Demand 

(MGD) 

Possible Supply 

Gap Range (MGD) 

2025 6.5 26.2 16.4 -10.0 9.7 

2035 6.9 24.8 18.0 -11.1 6.8 

2045 7.4 23.4 20.5 -13.1 2.9 

Notes: 

1. Projected water supply low range values are based on 5 percent allocation DWR issued to its SWP contractors in 2022. 

Projected water supply high range values are based on estimated long-term average reliability of the SWP as indicated in 

2021’s Delivery Capability Report. 

The data in Table 3-3 shows a possible supply gap in relation to the low end of the projected water supply 

range. Overall, three of PWD’s water supply sources depend (either directly or indirectly) on SWP’s delivery 

capability and thus can be considered unreliable and vulnerable to climate change: imported water from 

SWP and the Butte Transfer Agreement as previously explained, and PWD’s return flow credits. Adding 

potable reuse as a water supply can help offset PWD’s supply and demand imbalances, reduce reliance 

on imported water, reduce groundwater overdraft, improve water reliability and quality, and produce local 

economic outputs that benefit the disadvantaged and underserved community within PWD’s service area. 

3.1.1.5 Potential uses and markets 

Describe how the planning activities will investigate potential uses and markets for reclaimed or desalinated 

water (e.g., environmental restoration, fish and wildlife, groundwater recharge, municipal, domestic, 

industrial, agricultural, power generation, and recreation). 

Planning activities currently underway have identified that advanced treated recycled water is intended to 

be used for municipal potable use for the PWD service area using indirect potable reuse through 

groundwater recharge. 

3.1.1.6 Source water 

Describe the source water that will be considered for the project, including location, capacities, existing 

flows, treatment processes, and quantities of impaired water available to meet the new reclaimed, recycled, 

or desalinated water demands. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

The source water considered for this project is the 5,325 AFY of Title 22 recycled water from PWRP that is 

allocated to PWD, per PWD’s agreement with LACSD. The agreement stated that PWD may request a 

permanent increase to the allotment if additional permanent supplies of recycled water become available 

at the plant. PWRP, operated by LACSD District No. 20, provides tertiary treatment for an average of 9 

MGD of wastewater generated in and around the City of Palmdale (Carollo, 2015). The PWRP provides 

primary treatment through comminution and grit removal, followed by primary clarification. Secondary 

treatment follows and includes activated sludge with nitrification and denitrification zones. Secondary flow 

equalization is used to optimize the treatment process in the tertiary treatment cloth filtration and chloramine 

disinfection processes. The primary sludge, primary skimmings and solids from air flotation thickeners are 

processed in anaerobic digestors. The digested sludge is taken offsite after dewatering and drying. 

Historical data of PWRP’s tertiary effluent from 2017 through 2021 shows high quality tertiary effluent that 

meets the California Code of Regulations Title 22 requirements. 

3.1.2 Evaluation of Project Alternatives 

3.1.2.1 Project alternatives 

Describe the objectives that all alternatives will be designed to meet. What other water supply alternatives 

and project alternatives will be investigated? 

Three project alternatives are being considered and evaluated for implementation. 

No Project Alternative 

Under the No Project Alternative, PWD would not construct new facilities to provide new source water for 

its service area and would continue PWD’s reliance on local groundwater wells and imported State Water. 

The objective of this alternative would be to continue with ‘business as usual’ and use PWD’s recycled 

water allocation entirely for nonpotable uses. When facing shortages, PWD would continue to rely on 

imported water and emergency water transfers. SWP water is conveyed to Palmdale Lake where the Leslie 

O. Carter Water Treatment Plant (LOCWTP) provides additional treatment before being introduced into the 

domestic water system. Increased reliance on imported water will cause increased treatment costs at 

LOCWTP to supply more imported water into the distribution system. Additional storage may also be 

required, in addition to Lake Palmdale, since PWD only receives the annual Table A allocations from DWR 

and would want to strategically keep enough water stored to satisfy demands during periods of maintenance 

or unplanned outages of the SWP infrastructure. Without additional storage, PWD would rely solely on 

groundwater extraction wells and/or the Littlerock Dam for water supply. In years where supply does not 

meet demand, PWD would need to purchase emergency water transfers or restrict water provided to its 

service area, which is designated as a Large Disadvantaged community by the State Water Board. The No 

Project Alternative also does nothing to improve the water quality or yield in the AV Basin. Because the 

SWP supply allocation fluctuates year to year, it is difficult to predict future costs for the SWP supply which 

creates a potential economic hardship for PWD. Due to the unreliability of Table A allocations, some 

agencies have begun to purchase permanent rights to State Water. In order for PWD to meet the 

requirements of its customers, such additional water rights may be required at a steep cost. 

9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Alternative 1: Groundwater Augmentation via Subsurface Injection 

Alternative 1 consists of purified water from an AWPF being directly injected into the saturated zone of an 

aquifer via an injection well. The objective of this alternative would be to maximize the recycled water 

allocation for potable reuse with a relatively simple design that is widely implemented in the State of 

California. 

Figure 3-1. Alternative 1 Groundwater Augmentation Schematic 

For GWR via subsurface injection, the required log removal values (LRVs) for viruses, Giardia cysts, and 

Cryptosporidium oocysts (V/G/C) are 12/10/10 (V/G/C) which can be achieved through a combination of 

treatment processes and an environmental buffer. Since the environmental buffer is described as “further 

treatment”, it can also provide virus LRVs to the project, as long as the minimum travel time from the 

injection point to the groundwater well for water extraction is greater than two months. Groundwater 

modeling performed shows that retention times within the aquifer are higher than 60 days (or 120 days 

based on modeling since regulations only provide half credit for modeled results). From a treatment process 

point of view, GWR with direct injection regulations require RO and an advanced oxidation process (AOP), 

which is usually an oxidant combined with ultraviolet light (UV), forming UV/AOP. The combination of these 

treatment technologies is called full advanced treatment (FAT) and would be part of the new AWPF. MF is 

usually employed before RO as a pretreatment in order to protect the RO membranes from larger particles. 

Further treatment can also be employed, but is not required, as long as the required pathogen LRVs and 

chemical control requirements are met. 

Alternative 2: Surface Water Augmentation 

The objective of Alternative 2 Surface Water Augmentation (SWA) would be to generate potable water 

while also providing further treatment, dilution, and response time in case of failure. Alternative 2 would 

consist of purified water from an AWPF being conveyed to a water reservoir, that is in turn used as the 

source water for a downstream surface water treatment plant (SWTP), as shown in Figure 3-2. The 

reservoir serves as an environmental buffer that provides both dilution and response time in case of a 

treatment failure and further treatment to pathogens and chemicals. Since the adoption of the SWA 

regulations in late 2018, no SWA project is fully operational, but several utilities are pursuing this type of 

IPR and are currently undergoing the permitting process (demonstration testing, design, construction, 

regulatory documentation). 

10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Figure 3-2. Alternative 2 Surface Water Augmentation Schematic 

This alternative requires modeling to determine if: a) the reservoir volume and flows are adequate to meet 

the required dilution, and b) the hydrology parameters are adequate to meet retention time requirements 

(60 day minimum). Studies showed that 22.8 MGD is the maximum flow that can be withdrawn from Lake 

Palmdale by Leslie O’ Carter SWTP to keep the hydraulic retention time at 60 days or more while the 

reservoir is at full capacity, derating the SWTP from its capacity of 35 MGD. Hydrodynamic modeling and 

tracer tests are needed to determine the final dilution factor and retention time, which would also dictate if 

there would be a need for further treatment. As with GWR via direct injection, the required treatment 

technologies are the same (e.g., FAT). The required LRVs for this alternative, using Lake Palmdale as the 

reservoir, would be 13/11/11 assuming a dilution factor of 273:1 and a calculated mean theoretical hydraulic 

retention time of 68 days. 

Alternative 3: Raw Water Augmentation 

Alternative 3 would use raw water augmentation (RWA) with the objective of maximizing PWD’s recycled 

water allocation without relying on storage volume or retention time in surface water or groundwater. This 

alternative would send purified water from an to a source water aqueduct or directly to the headworks of a 

SWTP for further treatment before being distributed to customers by the public water system, as shown in 

Figure 3-3. Therefore, there is very little to no environmental buffer between the AWPF and the SWTP. 

Figure 3-3. Alternative 3 Raw Water Augmentation Schematic 

Due to the lack of a buffer and/or lower dilution and/or detention times than required by IPR, more rigorous 

treatment and higher LRVs are required for pathogen control to ensure public health safety when Direct 

Potable Reuse (DPR) is employed. It is expected that the final DPR regulations will require 20/14/15 LRVs 

for V/G/C, which must be provided throughout the AWPF and SWTP in the case of RWA. In addition to the 

FAT system, treatment with ozone (O3) and biological activated carbon will be required upstream of RO for 

DPR projects per the draft regulations unless the purified recycled water is less than 10 percent of the 

source drinking water. 

3.1.2.2 Development of project alternatives 

Describe how the planning activities will develop project alternatives (water supply sources, reuse 

strategies, or treatment technologies) that have been or will be investigated. 

Project alternatives are currently being evaluated, including investigations into the benefits, challenges, and 

potential costs each alternative, and a project alternative has been selected. Activities included in this 

proposal will continue to develop the selected project alternative. 

11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

3.1.2.3 Selected Project 

Provide a general description of the selected project, including project features, benefits, anticipated costs, 

and analyses conducted. 

The selected project will supplement PWD’s supply with a local, reliable, and cost-effective water source 

and lessen its dependence on the SWP. 

Alternatives are currently being evaluated, however, preliminary evaluation has found that GWR via direct 

injection (Alternative 1) provides the most straightforward and economical implementation while also 

improving the condition of the overdrafted groundwater basin. The new project components for Alternative 

1 include conveyance lines for tertiary water from the PWRP to the new AWPF, groundwater injection wells, 

and brine conveyance to brine evaporation ponds. Advanced treated purified product water from the AWPF 

will be conveyed to two new injection wells, located at the AWPF site. The brine from the RO system will 

be conveyed to new evaporation ponds to facilitate brine disposal at a separate nearby location. After the 

required groundwater travel time, groundwater will be extracted using two new municipal wells. 

The primary advantages of this alternative include increasing groundwater supply for drinking water use, 

lower capital and O&M costs, a small footprint, fewer treatment processes and complexity, and being a 

more established process. It will require additional modeling and studies to determine if groundwater flow 

and hydrogeology parameters are adequate to meet retention time and dilution requirements, the modeled 

travel time and the limits established in the AV Basin Salt and Nutrient Management Plan. 

Though the project is still in early stages of development, initial analysis shows that all the goals will be met 

at the AWPF product water based on the current PWRP tertiary effluent water quality and on the processes 

that will be employed at the AWPF. The only factor that could affect implementation is the theoretical 

retention time that the aquifer provides. Groundwater modeling is required to finalize the decisions 

surrounding this recommendation. 

Preliminary cost estimates have been completed. Table 3-4 provides a summary of the anticipated 

construction costs for the Alternative 1 project components described above. 

Table 3-4. Construction Cost Summary for Alternative 1 

Parameter Cost Notes 

Equipment $14,463,000 

Conveyance $13,115,000 

Buildings $20,825,000 

Brine Evaporation Pond $16,836,000 

Sitework and Installation $15,804,000 

Subtotal $81,043,000 

Mobilization $4,060,000 5% of Subtotal 

Subtotal with Mobilization $85,103,000 

Contract Cost Allowances $36,050,000 

includes design contingencies, sales tax, 

contractor markups and overheads 

CONTRACT COST $121,153,000 

Construction Contingencies $30,290,000 25% of Contract Cost 

12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Parameter Cost Notes 

FIELD COST $151,443,000 

Non-Contract Costs $44,900,000 

includes engineering, ESDC, PM, CM, land 

acquisition costs and permitting 

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST $196,400,000 

3.1.2.4 Schedule and Tasks 

Include a preliminary schedule showing major tasks, milestones, and dates for the planning, design, and 

construction activities related to the project. 

The project schedule anticipates preliminary design efforts including environmental investigations to be 

completed in 2025, with design and construction of project facilities to follow in 2026 through 2028. Under 

this schedule, PWD anticipates the project can begin operation by early 2029. Future efforts and updates 

to the recommended project will provide opportunities for adjusting the timelines based on actual 

development schedules and other factors. 

Tasks included in this Title XVI Planning Grant proposal includes all eligible planning, site surveys, 

environmental compliance, and preliminary design activities that will occur between October 31, 2023 and 

October 31, 2025. 

Table 3-5. Preliminary schedule showing major tasks and dates related to the Pure Water 

AV Project 

Major Task 

Year 

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 

Planning 

Environmental 

Preliminary 

design 

Design 

Construction 

3.2 STRETCHING WATER SUPPLIES (20 POINTS) 

Describe the potential for the project to reduce, postpone, or eliminate the development of new or expanded 

non-recycled water supplies. 

13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Potable reuse utilizing PWRP tertiary effluent is the only water source opportunity that meets PWD’s goals. 

Based on current modeling, the Project will postpone the development of new or expanded non-recycled 

water supplies. 

As detailed in Evaluation Criteria 1, PWD largely relies on imported water supply from SWP for potable 

water, supplemented by local surface water and groundwater supply. Drought conditions may create 

shortages as much as 10 MGD in the next two years and 13.1 MGD by 2045. Meeting demands with local 

supplies is limited by the overdraft conditions of the AV Basin and surface water allocations. Thus, to meet 

demands with existing supplies, PWD can only increase their supplies through new long-term or emergency 

water transfers, as further detailed above in the “No Project Alternative” in Evaluation Criteria 1. Because 

transfers are performed on a year-to-year basis, significant uncertainty exists regarding the availability and 

cost of water. In dry and critical years, the supply of water decreases while the demand increases, resulting 

in higher prices for water, and, in some years, a very limited supply of water transfers is available. 

Uncertainty is highest in dry and critical years. 

The development of new, non-recycled water supplies is not currently feasible for PWD. Desalination is not 

a feasible option, as Palmdale is over 80 miles from the coastline. Water conservation is a useful tool for 

reducing demands, and PWD already operates a water conservation program and is implementing other 

water conservation measures such as lining the Palmdale Ditch – however, reducing demand cannot alone 

address the water shortage. Increased water storage capacity can add more flexibility but would still rely 

on surface water and imported SWP supplies, which as previously mentioned, are unreliable. Thus, PWD 

has few other options for increased water supplies beyond potable reuse. The addition of a 4.75 MGD 

potable reuse facility is the first step in meeting current and future demands. 

Describe the potential for the project to alleviate pressure on existing water supplies and/or facilities. Please 

describe the existing water supplies, identify the supplies and/or facilities that will be impacted and explain 

how they will be impacted by the Project, including quantifications where applicable. 

As detailed in Evaluation Criteria 1, PWD’s existing water demands are putting extreme pressure on 

available supplies, with shortages potentially reaching up to 10 MGD in the near term. These pressures 

particularly impact local supplies, including the overdrafted AV Basin and local surface water from Littlerock 

Creek. PWD fully utilizes its allocations from these local sources, which comprise nearly half of PWD supply. 

The remaining half of PWD relies on the State Water Project, which experiences high demand and high 

competition in dry years because it is an important water source relied on by 27 million California residents 

and 750,000 acres of farmland1. 

The 4.75 MGD of recycled water treated by the Project can alleviate reliance and pressure on these existing 

water supplies. Every year, the PWD water manager will monitor hydrology, water demands, expected 

allocations of SWP water, and legislation to determine when the water from the Project can offset surface 

water needs. In some average and wet years, this added supply can decrease PWD use of the AV Basin 

and Littlerock Creek, leading to higher water levels in the subsiding groundwater basin and the creek that 

serves multiple recreational and ecosystem benefits. 

1 https://water.ca.gov/programs/state-water-project 

14 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Describe the potential for the project to make water available to address a specific concern. Explain the 

specific concern and its severity. Also explain the role of the project being investigated in addressing that 

concern and the extent to which the project will address it 

The locally-produced source of climate-resilient, potable water will address water supply shortages, water 

supply unreliability, groundwater depletion, limited availability of alternative supplies, and water 

unaffordability for PWD’s low income residents. Increasing supply through direct injection into the 

groundwater adds reliability to the system by reducing usage of climate-dependent sources, such as the 

SWP. Direct injection is being pursued as it maximizes these benefits by fully utilizing the recycled water 

allocation, versus other groundwater replenishment methods that lose water to evaporation. This method 

also helps to reduce groundwater depletion, which is a key concern for the region because the adjudicated 

AV Basin is in a state of overdraft and is experiencing subsidence. Using PWD’s recycled water allocation 

of 5,325 AFY to increase supply of reliable water is critical for PWD amidst the limited availability of 

alternative supplies such as desalination, increased storage, water transfers, or water conservation, as 

detailed two questions prior. 

The15ncreaseing costs of supplying water is a concern to PWD and its customers. Average water and 

sewer bills in Palmdale are estimated to be more than 2.5% of median household income, which is 

considered to be unaffordable by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)2. PWD is seeking to address 

this final concern by pursuing grant and low-interest loan funds for the Project to help reduce the burden 

on ratepayers. 

Describe the potential for the project to help create additional flexibility to address drought. Will water made 

available by the project being investigated continue to be available during periods of drought? To what 

extent is the water made available by the project being investigated more drought resistant than alternative 

water supply options? Explain. 

The Project will provide a reliable water source that is not impacted by climate change, which adds flexibility 

to the PWD water system. The source of water for the Project is the Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant, 

which consistently produces 9 MGD (10,080 AFY) of tertiary-treated, non-potable water independent of 

drought conditions. Approximately 60% of that effluent is recycled for nonpotable reuse at 35 different sites, 

of which roughly 4.75 MGD (5,325 AFY) is allocated to PWD. Drought-induced residential conservation 

efforts can reduce wastewater flows, however, as recycled water deliveries are only a portion of the full 

supply, PWD anticipates its contracted allocation will remain constant during drought. As such, recycled 

water is a reliable and drought-resilient water source that will continue to provide the same amount of water 

independent of drought severity. In comparison, other sources of water (imported, groundwater, and surface 

water) are reliant on rainfall and snowpack which are impacted by single-year and multi-year droughts 

intensified by climate change. Reductions in these types of sources may lead to larger gaps between future 

supply and demand within the PWD service area. 

An expanded and climate-resilient water portfolio allows PWD’s water manager to more flexibly manage 

water supply to address the extreme drought conditions being faced by Palmdale. 

2 https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/financial-technical-assistance-and-tools-water-infrastructure#affordability 

15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

3.3 ENVIRONMENT AND WATER QUALITY (20 POINTS) 

3.3.1 Groundwater quality 

Describe the potential for the project to improve the quality of surface water or groundwater. 

High quality water produced by the Project will be injected up-gradient from PWD municipal wells and 

extracted after the required groundwater residence time. Dilution and movement of contaminants can 

reduce the likelihood of contaminant exposure and improve water quality in the AV Basin. Groundwater 

modeling has confirmed that injected purified water will move toward municipal wells. 

Sub-basins within the AV Basin currently experience high levels of nitrate, arsenic, and salinity. Two Air 

Force bases within the AV Basin have documented spills of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances 

(PFAS) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Plant 42 operations include assembly of test aircraft and pilot 

training. Hazardous materials and wastes used and generated on site include various petroleum products, 

paints, solvents, and corrosives. USAF Plant 42 is listed on the EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental 

Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System database as a potentially contaminated site. 

The California Department of Health Services has also identified USAF Plant 42 as a hazardous waste site 

targeted for cleanup. Twenty-eight contaminated areas have been identified; however, information available 

to date indicates that no hazardous waste exposure to public health or the environment exists at this time. 

3.3.2 Effluent discharge quality 

Describe the potential for the project to improve effluent quality beyond levels necessary to meet State or 

Federal discharge requirements. 

No effluent will be discharged by the Project. 

3.3.3 Flow of natural streams 

Describe the potential for the project to improve flow conditions in a natural stream channel. 

PWD has access to 5,500 AFY of surface water diversion rights from Littlerock Creek, which is stored in 

Littlerock Reservoir and delivered to Lake Palmdale via the Palmdale Ditch. Reduced reliance on this 

existing surface water source can indirectly lead to higher surface water levels in some years. Littlerock 

Creek is a natural stream channel that is more than just an important drinking water source, as it also 

provides important ecological and recreational benefits including protecting vulnerable species and habitats 

from intensifying climate change impacts, as described in the following sections 3.3.4 and 3.3.5. 

3.3.4 Habitat for non-listed species 

Describe the potential for the project to restore or enhance habitat for non-listed fish and wildlife species. 

Littlerock Creek provides habitat for aquatic life, including Freshwater Shrimp and Mariposa Lily. Littlerock 

Creek supports Southwest Desert habitat within the Antelope Valley, which is one of the top ten habitats 

vulnerable to climate change according to the Endangered Species Coalition. In the greater Antelope 

Valley, land species that are supported by the vulnerable Southwest Desert habitat include the desert 

16 
PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

tortoise, burrowing owl, and Mojave ground squirrel. As climate change continues to threaten the Antelope 

Valley region, higher water levels in Littlerock Creek will be critical to the survival of these species and 

habitats. 

3.3.5 Habitat for federally listed species 

Describe the potential for the project to provide water or habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered 

species. 

Littlerock Creek provides habitat to a federally protected arroyo toad. 

3.4 DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR PRIORITIES (15 POINTS) 

3.4.1 Climate Change 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 

Please describe how the project will address climate change, including the following: Please provide 

specific details and examples on how the project will address the impacts of climate change and help 

combat the climate crisis. Does this proposed project strengthen water supply sustainability to increase 

resilience to climate change? Does the proposed project contribute to climate change resiliency in other 

ways not described above? 

Water shortages: Palmdale is already experiencing climate change impacts through drought-related water 

shortages and rising temperatures. Higher temperatures increase the water requirements for vegetation 

and crops due to increased evapotranspiration rates, leading to greater water demand from vulnerable 

desert habitats, agricultural crops, and functional landscaping. Rising surface temperatures are also 

projected to decrease snowpack, cause earlier snowpack melting, and decrease SWP water supply. Risk 

of shortage has increased costs, strained existing local supplies, created uncertainty, and negatively 

impacted public trust in the reliability of the PWD water system. These shortages and cost burdens directly 

impact PWD’s underserved, low-income population that is already experiencing environmental justice 

issues. By adding a reliable and drought-resilient water supply source, the Project will add certainty and 

flexibility to PWD’s water system. 

Public trust: Amidst climate uncertainty, the public places trust in PWD to reliably deliver water. Water 

recycling, however, often faces negative public opinion or a “yuck” factor that the water was once municipal 

wastewater in addition to concern over pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants, upward 

pressure on rates during the current period of inflation, and other challenges. To build public trust, the 

Project includes a permanent public education facility to demonstrate advanced purification processes and 

exhibit indoor and outdoor conservation practices. Workshops, facility tours, and events will increase the 

public’s perceived value of water and conservation behaviors, as well as increase trust in the system. 

Combating the climate crisis: The Project will help combat the climate crisis in multiple ways. The 

Project’s education facility will be designed to serve as an emergency operations center, which will also 

increase climate-change resilience in the community. The Project will also have reduced carbon emissions 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

compared to other alternatives. Past research by the Water Reuse Association (Status Consulting, 20153 

page 20) has shown that water reuse through complete advanced treatment typically produces 373 

kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents per AF (kg CO2e/AF). This is roughly a quarter of the emissions 

from desalination (1349 kg CO2e /AF) and a third of imported SWP water (1142 kg CO2e /AF). The study 

had no quantification of emissions from other emergency backup water supplies such as water trucking. 

Using these multipliers at a scale of 5,325 AFY, recycled water from this Project would produce 1,986 metric 

tons of CO2e annually compared to the 6,081 metric tons of CO2e annually to import SWP water, a 

reduction of 4,095 metric tons of CO2e every year. Finally, PWD is also exploring various brine 

management technologies, including a carbon-negative option. However, decarbonization benefits are 

currently unquantified. 

3.4.2 Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities 

Will the proposed project serve or benefit a disadvantaged or historically underserved community? Benefits 

can include, but are not limited to, public health and safety by addressing water quality, new water supplies, 

or economic growth opportunities. Please describe in detail how the community is disadvantaged. 

Yes. This Project will benefit all communities within PWD’s service area. PWD's service area holds a Large 

Disadvantaged Community (Large DAC) designation by the California State Water Board with a Median 

Household Income (MHI) of $55,129, and a lower bound MHI of $48,135. This represents 65.5% and 57.2% 

of the California statewide MHI, respectively. The state designation of “Large DAC” will last for three years, 

from 7/2022 to 7/2025. The State Water Board makes this DAC determination by overlaying the 

corresponding service area with U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year estimates data. 

Given the limitations of using a median, the Water Board subtracts one standard error from the MHI for 

each census area. All areas are then aggregated to calculate a total MHI for the service area. This process 

is partially described in Appendix A of the SAFER Fund Expenditure Plan and has been further clarified 

through direct discussions with the State Water Board Division of Financial Assistance. 

According to the Census Bureau, 15.8% of Palmdale residents live below the federal poverty line, 80% 

identify as people of color, and 47% speak a language other than English at home. The region also 

experiences environmental justice issues. The federal Climate Environmental Justice Screening Tool 

(CEJST) provides federal indicators aligned with the Justice40 Initiative, and CEJST indicators show 

Palmdale as above the 95th percentile for poverty, unemployment, housing costs, and climate risks. The 

EPA EJScreen tool shows Palmdale as above the US 90th percentile for indices for Particulate Matter 2.5, 

Ozone, and Hazardous Waste Proximity, and above the 80th percentile for Demographic Index, People of 

Color, Linguistically Isolated, and Less Than High School Education. 

This qualifies PWD's entire service area as an underrepresented community as defined in E.O. 13985. 

3.4.3 Tribal Benefits 

Does the proposed project directly serve and/or benefit a Tribe? Will the project improve water management 

for an Indian Tribe? Does the proposed project support Tribal resilience to climate change and drought 

3 https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2020/May/Carbon-Emissions 

18 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

impacts or provide other Tribal benefits such as improved public health and safety by addressing water 

quality, new water supplies, or economic growth opportunities? 

No tribal benefits. 

3.5 WATERSHED PERSPECTIVE (15 POINTS) 

Will the proposed project implement a regional or state water plan or an integrated resource management 

plan? Explain. 

The Project is identified as a priority project for the AV Regional Water Management Group, which is a 

regional coordination platform in which eleven public agencies work together to meet expected water 

demands within the entire Antelope Valley Region through 2035. PWD is a Group A voting member of the 

AV RWMG. Decades of planning by eleven public agencies and community stakeholders of the AV RWMG 

have led to the prioritization of water recycling as a strategy to meet water demand and improve water 

supply resiliency. In 2007, the RWMG created an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) plan4 

consistent with the State sponsored IRWM program, which was later updated in 2012 and again in 2019 to 

reflect current conditions of the AV Region. While the plan has not been updated since the Project began, 

the previous project alternative, named the “Palmdale Regional Groundwater Recharge Project,” is listed 

on page ES-10 as a priority implementation project of the 2019 update. This Project is a continuation of that 

previous project alternative and provides the same benefits. Additionally, in February 2023, the AV RWMG 

group submitted a request for over $500,000 to the California Proposition 1 Round 2 IRWM funding for the 

Pure Water AV influent pipeline along Avenue Q. A letter of support from the AV RWMG is also included in 

this application. 

Will the proposed project help meet the water supply needs of a large geographic area, region, or 

watershed? Explain. 

Beyond the 125,000 people served by Palmdale Water District, the Project will also increase the long-term 

reliability of the entire Antelope Valley Region’s water supply. The Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin is 

located in the western Mojave Desert, covering 1,580 square miles in portions of Los Angeles, Kern, and 

San Bernardino counties, and is relied on by over 4,000 parties including public water suppliers, 

landowners, small pumpers and non-pumping property owners, and the federal and state governments. 

The Project will increase the beneficial use of the District’s supply portfolio, which in turn will add water 

storage capacity and relieve subsidence in the overdrafted AV Basin. 

Will the proposed project promote collaborative partnerships to address water-related issues? Explain. 

Describe stakeholder involvement in the project planning process. 

Currently, PWD has sought to collaborate with regional stakeholders by engaging with the local agencies 

from the start of the project at the feasibility stage. Two key stakeholders that PWD has collaborated with 

as project supporters are LACSD and City of Palmdale, and PWD continues to work with these stakeholders 

to bring them on as partners. PWD and the City of Palmdale work together to implement long term water 

supply projects through the Palmdale Recycled Water Authority, a joint powers authority. Currently the 

4 https://pw.lacounty.gov/wwd/avirwmp/ 

19 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Authority is determining the best path forward to support the Project due to the PWD’s move to water 

augmentation versus recharge and recovery. LACSD is a key project partner as it is the owner of the PWRP 

that would be the source of tertiary water for the Project. The details of these partnerships with the City of 

Palmdale and LACSD are being coordinated between the agencies, and would continue to be strengthened 

as planning progresses. PWD staff has presented the project to several of the Boards of the various 

agencies, to generate support and receive input and support for the project. 

As the Project would benefit the entire region, PWD has continued to seek support of all the stakeholders 

within Antelope Valley. As mentioned in the first question under this Evaluation Criteria, the Antelope Valley 

Integrated Water Management group is a collaborative partnership focused on solving water supply within 

the region. The group is currently supporting the California Proposition 1 funding application for the District’s 

recycled water pipeline to supply the Pure Water AV Demonstration Facility and received funding for the 

conservation garden at the Demonstration Facility. 

These stakeholders and others will continue to be engaged through the Pure Water AV Stakeholder 

Outreach Plan, which is currently being developed and is not included as an eligible cost in this proposal. 

Other identified stakeholders including Local Government and Agencies, Elected Officials/Key Staff, and 

Adjacent Residents & Communities. 

Will the proposed project include public outreach and opportunities for the public to learn about the project? 

Explain. 

PWD sees public outreach as critical for the Project to be a priority to the public and a variety of local 

stakeholders and the public is a key stakeholder in the Project’s Stakeholder Outreach Plan. Water 

recycling agencies across the nation often face negative public opinion about potable reuse projects, 

including a “yuck” factor that the water was once municipal wastewater, concern over pharmaceuticals and 

other emerging contaminants, upward pressure on rates during the current period of inflation, and other 

challenges. These public concerns will be tackled through the Pure Water AV Stakeholder Outreach Plan. 

The Plan is an audience-driven plan, meaning that the outreach activities outlined are tailored to the various 

audiences that need to be informed about the Pure Water AV. The efforts will be broad and inclusive, 

encompassing diverse audiences and ensuring all communities have access to program information and 

opportunities for participation and involvement. Relevant entities in the public that PWD has identified 

include District Customers /Ratepayers, Business/ Civic Groups, Recreation, and Environmental 

Organizations, and the Media. Key strategies and communication tactics are being designed to facilitate 

meaningful engagement. Considering the underserved and environmental justice communities in Palmdale, 

the Stakeholder Outreach Plan also strategizes specific methods for gathering inputs and generating buyin from these vulnerable populations, such as developing relationships with community leaders, translating 

materials into Spanish, and distributing information through local publications and forums. 

After testing and permit requirements are met, the Demonstration Facility will permanently remain as a 

center for public education and operator training. Outside the building, a 10,000 sq ft, demonstration garden 

will be watered with purified water. Dual-plumbed toilets also will use purified water onsite. Educational 

signage will show customers how to lower water usage and will promote PWD’s existing Water Wise 

Landscape Conversion Program. 

20 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

4.0 PROJECT BUDGET 

A project budget must be included, and it should include the following elements: 

4.1 FUNDING PLAN AND LETTERS OF COMMITMENT 

Describe how the non-Federal cost share will be obtained. Reclamation will use this information when 

making a determination that the applicant meets the cost share requirements identified in C.3 Cost Sharing 

Requirements. 

The non-federal share of project costs of $714,670 will be contributed by PWD through a bond fund which 

is ultimately repaid through its operating fund. Existing PWD debt holds a strong A rating from S&P and an 

A+ rating from Fitch. The urgency for the project has prompted PWD to seek state grants for different 

elements of the Pure Water AV program. In December 2023, PWD applied for grant funds from the 

California Department of Water Resources Urban Community Drought Relief Program for the PWAV 

Extraction Well 37 siting study (6f. Item 7), preliminary design (6f. Item 8) and environmental permitting (6f. 

Item 9). Awards will be determined in March 2023 and, if awarded, PWD would immediately notify the 

Bureau of Reclamation that these state funds would be used as part of the non-federal match for this 

proposal. PWD is not currently seeking grant funds for any other items included in this proposal. 

No project costs will have been expended prior the award. 

4.2 BUDGET PROPOSAL 

The total project cost is the sum of all allowable items of costs, including all required cost sharing and 

voluntary committed cost sharing, including third-party contributions, that are necessary to complete the 

proposed activities. Include the following chart (table 1) to summarize all funding sources and denote inkind contributions with an asterisk (*). 

Table 4-1 Summary of Non-Federal and Federal funding sources 

Funding sources Amount 

Non-Federal entities 

1. Palmdale Water District $714,670 

Non-Federal subtotal $714,670 

REQUESTED Reclamation funding $714,670 

The budget proposal should include detailed information on the categories listed below, and it must clearly 

identify all items of cost, including those that will be contributed as a non- Federal cost share by the applicant 

(required and voluntary), third-party in-kind contributions, and those that will be covered using the funding 

requested from Reclamation, and any requested pre-award costs (table 2). 

21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Table 4-2 Total Project Cost Table 

Source Amount 

Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal funding $714,670 

Costs to be paid by the applicant $714,670 

Value of third-party contributions $--

TOTAL project cost $1,429,339 

Additional details are provided in the Budget Proposal excel sheet. 

4.3 BUDGET NARRATIVE 

The budget narrative provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in Section B of the SF424A. The information in the narrative should include, but is not limited to, that identified in the Budget 

Narrative Guidance attached to this NOFO. Applicants may elect to use the Budget Detail and Narrative 

spreadsheet for their budget narrative. Costs, including the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, 

must comply with the applicable cost principles contained in 2 CFR Part 200, available at www.ecfr.gov. 

4.3.1 Personnel 

Personnel costs are included in PWD annual operational budget and are not included in this budget 

request. 

4.3.2 Fringe Benefits 

Fringe benefits costs are included in PWD annual operational budget and are not included in this budget 

request. 

4.3.3 Travel 

No travel costs are included in this budget request. 

4.3.4 Equipment 

No equipment costs are included in this budget request. 

4.3.5 Supplies 

No supplies costs are included in this budget request. 

22 
 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

4.3.6 Contractual 

Consultants will be hired to assist with environmental studies and regulatory compliance, preliminary 

design, and other preplanning activities. Detailed below is a narrative description of all line items included 

under 6f. Contractual costs in the budget request. Cost estimates were prepared by the Program 

Coordinator and by the District based on expected scope, personnel, and previously conducted work of 

similar scope. Personnel rates vary and thus specific calculations are excluded for brevity but can be 

made available upon request. 

Item 1 AWPF Environmental Studies and Regulatory Compliance (IS, CEQA/NEPA, Title 22 Report, 

WDR)

Stantec is currently under contract to perform this task. The following studies and tasks shall be 

completed as part of the environmental studies and regulatory compliance task: 

• Initial Study – An Initial Study (IS) will be prepared including assessments on air quality, biological 

resources, cultural resources, noise, water resources, traffic and Cortese list. 

• Administer Statutory Process - Processing of the MND, including preparation of required notices, 

electronic flings with the State CEQA clearinghouse and reviewing comments received on the IS. 

• Identify Permits – Prepare a comprehensive permit matrix including a brief description of the 

permit, permitting agency, contact information, schedule and estimated cost to obtain. 

• Title 22 Engineering Report – Prepare a Title 22 Engineering Report for both the demonstration 

facility and full-scale project, in compliance with the requirements of the California Code of 

Regulations, for the PWAV in coordination with District staff and other District consultants for 

supporting documentation. 

• Waste Discharge Requirements – Evaluate the waste discharge requirements and prepare the 

permit application for brine discharge with the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. 

The cost of Item 1 was estimated to be $292,167, as prepared by the Program Coordinator based on 

expected scope and personnel. Detailed list of personnel included in developing the fee 

Item 2 AWPF Bridging Documents Preparation and RFQ/RFP Development 

Stantec is currently under contract to perform this task. The design team will prepare a preliminary design 

with sufficient detail to serve as bridging documents. This level of design is typically 10-20% to establish 

the design criteria and equipment performance that must be met by the DBE but does not restrict the 

DBE team from developing alternative equipment layouts and selecting alternative equipment vendors so 

that competitive bids can be obtained. 

The Stantec PM team will also assist the District in the pre-bidding, bidding and award phases to select 

the DBE. The following items will be completed as part of this task and will include collaborating with, and 

incorporating comments from, District staff, board and legal team: 

• Establish process for and evaluation criteria for selecting a DBE 

• Assist District and District’s legal counsel with development of a contract for delivery by the DBE 

• Develop and prepare Request For Qualifications (RFQ) and Request For Proposal (RFP) 

• Assist in administering RFQ and evaluate submittals from prospective DBE; make 

recommendation on shortlist of DBE to be invited to submit proposals 

• Assist in administering the RFP and evaluate proposals from prospective DBE; Stantec suggests 

that the District consider conducting interviews with prospective DBE 

• Stantec Team members will attend DBE interviews and make a recommendation on selection 

• Assist District and legal counsel with negotiation of contract terms with recommended DBE 

The cost of Item 2 was estimated to be $60,025, as prepared by the Program Coordinator based on 

expected scope and personnel. 

23 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Items 3-6 AWPF Design Criteria Package – site survey, boundary and topographic surveys, 

geotechnical studies, and preliminary planning and preliminary design preparation 

Stantec is currently under contract to perform Items 3 (site survey) and 6 (preliminary planning and 

preliminary design preparation). 3D Surveying will be contracted for Item 4 to conduct a boundary and 

topographic survey. Kleinfelder is under contract to perform Item 5 (geotechnical studies). Following 

selection of the location of the AWPF, geotechnical investigations, and surveying, as well as delivery 

method for each project component, the Stantec Team will develop full-scale design criteria packages for 

the AWPF, injection wells and pipeline up to approximately 15% completion. 

15% construction drawings will be completed for all disciplines (civil, structural, mechanical, architectural, 

process, electrical, plumbing, I&C). A cost loaded schedule, utilizing P6 software, used by most 

contractors will be prepared for each package such that the District can use it to form the basis of 

payment. In addition, specifications will include details to prepare site-specific safety plans and 

requirements for start-up and testing plan to be developed by the DBE. 

Estimated costs of Items 3, 4, 5, and 6 are $4,589; $7,000; $270,773; and $534,785, respectively. This 

estimate was prepared by the Program Coordinator and the District based on expected scope and 

personnel. 

Items 7-9 PWAV Extraction Well 37 Siting Study, Preliminary Design, and Environmental Permits

Contractors have not been secured for Items 6-8 but the estimates were generated using the past 

experience of the PWD Engineering Manager, based on previously conducted work. The following studies 

and tasks shall be completed as part of the planning and preliminary design for extraction Well 37, which 

will serve as the extraction point for potable recycled water created by the Pure Water AV Program. Tasks 

will include: 

Item 7 Siting study: Evaluation of sites for PWAV Extraction Well 37 as to suitability for installation of a 

new groundwater production wells, and identify the site that has the greatest probability of success. The 

scope of work performed to achieve project objectives include a review of existing hydrogeologic data and 

reports, a summary of the hydrogeologic setting, and an assessment of water level interference and 

potential sources of groundwater contamination. Estimated cost of $60,000 was prepared by PWD based 

on expected scope. 

Preliminary Design: The development of a preliminary well design, including evaluation of construction 

logistics and constraints, evaluation of permitting constraints, and a preparation of engineer’s estimates of 

well construction cost. Estimated cost of $110,000 was prepared by PWD based on expected scope. 

Environmental Permits: A CEQA Notice of Determination will be filed as an amendment to PWD’s Water 

System Master Plan Environmental Impact Report, in compliance with Section 21108 of the Public 

Resources Code (State Clearinghouse Number 2017021042). Estimated cost of $40,000 was prepared 

by PWD based on expected scope. 

Item 10 Evaluation Study of AWPF Expansion to 10MGD 

After preliminary design is complete, Stantec will evaluate the potential to expand the AWPF to 10 MGD. 

The consultant will provide updated planning documents to investigate a future expansion of the full-scale 

AWPF and update existing PWD models to include 10 MGD of potable recycled water supply. This effort 

would include tertiary water source investigation, cost estimating, siting studies, funding strategies, 

groundwater modeling and brine management modeling. These would all assist in consideration of the 

24 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

future expansion into the overall program implementation. The cost of Item 10 is $50,000, based on 

expected scope and experience by the District. 

Subaward costs 

No subaward costs are included in this budget request. 

4.3.7 Construction 

No construction costs are included in this budget request. 

4.3.8 Other 

No third-party in-kind contributions, tuition remission, rental costs, or other costs are included in this 

budget request. 

4.3.9 Indirect Costs 

No indirect costs are included in this budget request. 

5.0 REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS 

PWD will pursue and acquire the applicable permits for implementation of the Project. Table 5-1 

summarizes the anticipated permits that will be pursued and respective regulatory agencies. The list may 

not be exhaustive of all applicable permits for the project, and a more detailed assessment will be developed 

during final design to identify all applicable permits and regulatory requirements. 

Table 5-1 Potential Permits required for the AWPF 

Permit/Approval Stakeholders 

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 

and Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 

(SWPPP) permit 

State Water Resource Control Board 

(State Water Board) 

Indirect Potable Ruse Permit 

State Water Resources Control 

Board Division of Drinking Water 

(DDW) 

Waste Discharge & Water Recycling Requirements / User 

Water Recycling Permit/ Title 22 Engineering Report / 

Operations and Optimization Plan 

Lahontan Regional Water Quality 

Control Board (RWQCB) 

Sewer Discharge Permit Los Angeles County, LACSD 

Cross Connection & Water Pollution Control Program 

Compliance 

Los Angeles County Department of 

Public Health 

Fire Protection System Permit/Plan Check Los Angeles County Fire 

Department 

Hazardous Materials Review/Field Inspection 

Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan 

Certified Unified Program Agency Permit 

Los Angeles County Fire 

Department 

Fire protection system permit/plan check City of Palmdale 

25 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

Permit/Approval Stakeholders 

Easement Encroachment/Haul Route Permit City of Palmdale 

Offsite Utilities, Roadway, Street Use, and Landscape City of Palmdale Public Works 

Construction Permits 

Demolition 

Stockpile 

After Hours Construction 

Oversize Load 

Right-Of-Way 

Sign 

Roadway Closure (Temp Traffic Control Plan) 

Dewatering 

Boring 

Fugitive Dust Control 

City of Palmdale 

CalTrans (for transportation permits 

of oversize/overweight vehicles on 

State Highway System) 

Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan Los Angeles County Public Works 

Flood control permit Los Angeles County Department of 

Public Works Flood Control District 

Dust Control Plan (depending on acreage and volume of 

earthwork) 

Construction and operations permit 

Antelope Valley AQMD 

A demonstration facility will investigate compliance of the Title XVI project with all State and Federal 

regulations, and potential compliance challenges. The results will be communicated with DDW and RWQCB 

to demonstrate efficacy of proposed treatment and compliance with state and federal requirements. A Title 

22 Engineering Report will be developed for the AWPF, in compliance with the requirements of the 

Consumer Confidence Report. 

Permits for Pure Water AV Expansion Well 37 are as follows: 

• County of Los Angeles Well Drilling Permit 

• AV Water Master New Extraction Well 

• Amendment to the PWD Water Master Plan Programmatic Environmental Impact Report 

6.0 OFFICIAL RESOLUTION 

The official resolution adopted by the board of the Palmdale Water District is attached as Attachment A. 

7.0 LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT AND LETTERS OF 

PARTICIPATION 

PWD has included four support letters provided in Attachment B. One additional letter of support is secured 

but can be made available upon request. These demonstrate the support for the Project. 

• LA County Sanitation District 

26 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

• City of Palmdale 

• Littlerock Creek Irrigation District 

• Antelope Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Group. Group members include: City of 

Palmdale, Quartz Hill Water District, Rosamond Community Services District, County of Los 

Angeles, Antelope Valley East Kern Water Authority, Los Angeles County Water District, Littlerock 

Creek Irrigation District, and City of Lancaster. 

A letter of support has been secured from the Antelope Valley East Kern Water Authority but is not attached 

to application as it is being voted on by board on 2/28/2023 at 6pm and cannot be attached to the 

application. This can be made available upon request. 

8.0 OVERLAP OR DUPLICATION OF EFFORT STATEMENT 

Securing grant and low-interest loan funding is required for the Pure Water AV Program to move forward. 

As such, PWD has applied for multiple funding programs and intends to continue to apply to programs in 

the future. Many funding programs do not in any way duplicate costs included in this proposal. However, 

PWD’s approved EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Letter of Interest included 

costs in this proposal. Future planned applications to the WIFIA program, California Water Recycling 

Funding Program, and California Clean Water State Revolving Fund program may include activities 

included in this Title XVI planning grant application. For any of these programs, PWD will not overlap the 

proposed project and any other active or anticipated proposals or projects in terms of activities, costs, or 

commitment of key personnel unless discussed with the Bureau of Reclamation as an allowable non-federal 

cost share. 

To date, PWD has applied to the following funding programs: 

• California DWR Proposition 1 Disadvantaged Community Grant Program funds of $450,000 

requested and secured for the Pure Water AV Demonstration Facility conservation garden in Fall 

2023. There is no overlap with costs in this proposal. 

• EPA WIFIA. PWD submitted an EPA WIFIA letter of interest in September 2022, which included 

a request for all costs included this proposal. In December 2022, the EPA invited PWD to apply 

for a loan, which PWD intends to submit in April 2023. Selection and negotiations are anticipated 

to take a minimum of 3 months, with an anticipated loan closing date of July 1, 2023. Grant funds 

from the Title XVI Planning grant program are preferrable to a low-interest loan. Both funds are 

considered federal funding, thus, if a Title XVI Planning award is made prior to the submittal of the 

WIFIA application, PWD would remove all duplicated costs from the WIFIA application. If a Title 

XVI Planning award is made after the submittal of the WIFIA application and negotiations, PWD 

would notify EPA and would not draw down on the WIFIA loan for the costs funded by Reclamation. 

PWD will not overlap the proposed project and any other active or anticipated proposals or projects 

in terms of activities, costs, or commitment of key personnel. 

27 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

• California DWR Urban Community Drought Relief Program funds of $9,801,208 requested for 

design, permitting, and construction of the PWAV Extraction Well 37 and construction of PWAV 

Extraction Well 36. $210,000 in costs overlap with this proposal (Items 7, 8 and 9). Awards 

anticipated in spring 2023. If awarded, PWD would immediately notify the Bureau of Reclamation 

and discuss the ability for PWD to use these state funds as non-federal cost share. 

• Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Projects Grant Program was 

submitted in FY22 for planning, design, and construction of PWAV Extraction Well 36 and 37, but 

was not awarded. This proposal had included $210,000 in cost overlap with this proposal (Items 

7, 8 and 9), however, these funds were not awarded. 

• California DWR Urban Community Drought Relief Program funds of $13,117,422 requested 

for design and construction of the Pure Water AV Demonstration Facility. Awards anticipated in 

spring 2023. No overlap with costs in this proposal. 

• California DWR Proposition 1 Round 2 IRWM Implementation funds of $587,578 requested 

through the Antelope Valley IRWM group for the construction of the Avenue Q pipeline. Submitted 

by AV-IRWM in February 2023. No overlap with costs in this proposal. 

Future funds will also be pursued from state and federal sources. One example would be the California 

Water Recycling Funding Program and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program. Funds from 

these complementary state funding programs would be pursued for AWPF final design and construction. 

Costs included in this Title XVI Planning grant proposal are also eligible costs under these programs, 

however, an application for these programs will not be submitted until mid-2023 and would be informed by 

the outcome of this Title XVI planning grant application. PWD will not overlap the proposed project and any 

other active or anticipated proposals or projects in terms of activities, costs, or commitment of key personnel 

unless Bureau of Reclamation allows these funds to be used as a non-federal cost share. 

9.0 UNIFORM AUDIT REPORTING STATEMENT 

PWD will prepare a Single Audit if the award exceeds the $750,000 limit. PWD was not required to submit 

a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. 

10.0 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 

No actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission 

28 
 

 

 

PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

11.0 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

Abbreviation or Definition 

Acronym 

AF acre-feet 

AFY acre-feet per year 

AOP advanced oxidation process 

AV Basin Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin 

AWPF advanced water purification facility 

CEQA California Environmental Quality Act 

DAC Disadvantaged Community 

DDW California State Water Resources Control Board -- Division of Drinking Water 

DPR direct potable reuse 

DWR California Department of Water Resources 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

FAT full advanced treatment 

GW groundwater 

GWR groundwater recharge 

IPR indirect potable reuse 

IRWM Integrated Regional Water Management 

LACSD Los Angeles County Sanitation District 

LOCWTP Leslie O. Carter Water Treatment Plant 

LRV log removal values 

Max Maximum 

MF microfiltration 

MGD million gallons per day 

min minimum 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

PFAS Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances 

PWAV Pure Water Antelope Valley 

PWD Palmdale Water District 

PWRP Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant 

Reclamation U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation 

RO reverse osmosis 

RWA raw water augmentation 

RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board 

SWA surface water augmentation 

SWP California State Water Project 

SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 

SWTP Surface Water Treatment Plant 

US United States 

USAF US Air Force 

UV ultraviolet 

WIFIA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act 

WRP water reclamation plant 

WTP water treatment plant 

29 
PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

ATTACHMENT A OFFICIAL RESOLUTION 

A.1 
RESOLUTION 23-2 

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PALMDALE WATER 

DISTRICT AUTHORIZING THE DISTRICT'S APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM 

THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WATERSMART: WATER RECYCLING AND 

DESALINATION PLANNING GRANT FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2023 FOR THE 

PURE WATER ANTELOPE VALLEY PROJECT 

WHEREAS, Palmdale Water District is a municipal water district established pursuant to 

Section 71000 et seq. of the California Water Code. 

WHEREAS, water supply in the Palmdale area is facing a growing list of challenges associated 

with reductions in allowed groundwater pumping due to groundwater adjudication, regulatory 

cutbacks on State Water Project deliveries, Bay-Delta instability, climate change, aging 

infrastructure, and growing population; and 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation under the 

Water Energy Efficiency Grant makes funding available to qualifying applicants; and 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Palmdale Water District has identified a project that 

exemplifies the objectives of the WaterSMART Grant in the Pure Water Antelope Valley; and 

WHEREAS, Palmdale Water District agrees to the administration and cost sharing requirements 

of the WaterSMART Grant criteria. 

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Palmdale 

Water District as follows : 

SECTION 1. Palmdale Water District is hereby authorized to receive, if awarded, the 

WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning for 2023 grant funding in an amount 

up to $1 ,000,000 and will make a good faith effort to enter into a cooperative agreement with 

Reclamation for the receipt and administration of said grant funds. 

SECTION 2. The General Manager, Dennis LaMoreaux, or his designee, is hereby authorized 

to take any and all action which may be necessary for the completion and execution of the 

project agreement and to take any and all other action which may be necessary for the receipt 

and administration of the grant funding in accordance with the requirements of the Bureau of 

Reclamation. 

SECTION 3. This resolution officially becomes a component part of the Palmdale Water 

District's grant application. 

Page 1 of2 
SECTION 4. The Board of Directors has reviewed and supports the application to be submitted. 

SECTION 5. Palmdale Water District is capable of providing the amount of funding and/or inkind contributions specified in the grant application funding plan. 

SECTION 6. This Resolution shall be effective as of the date of adoption. 

CERTIFICATION 

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 27th day of February 2023. 

Vincent Dino, Secretary 

Board of Directors 

Palmdale Water District 

Approved as to form: 

Aleshire & Wynder, LLP 

General Counsel 

Don 

~ Wilson, President 

Board of Directors 

Palmdale Water District 

Page 2 of 2 
PURE WATER AV TITLE XVI PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION 

ATTACHMENT B LETTERS OF SUPPORT 

B.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Ferrante 

February 24, 2023 

US Bureau of Reclamation 

Water Resources and Planning Office 

Attn: Ms. Maribeth Menendez 

PO Box 25007, 86-63000 

Denver, CO 80225 

Dear Ms. Menendez: 

Support for the Palmdale Water District Pure Water Antelope Valley Application – 

WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Planning Funding Opportunity 

Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 20 (District) is pleased to support Palmdale Water District’s 

(PWD) Pure Water Antelope Valley (Pure Water AV; Project) grant application in response to the United States 

Bureau of Reclamation’s funding opportunity for WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Planning. 

The District owns and operates the Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), which produces 

approximately 9,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) of tertiary recycled water in the City of Palmdale, California, located 

in the Antelope Valley (AV) Region. A small portion of this recycled water is delivered to customers for direct 

reuse, such as landscape irrigation and construction-related uses, while the majority of the plant’s recycled water is 

currently used to irrigate nearby fodder crops. The District has a recycled water purchase agreement with PWD to 

allocate 5,325 AFY of recycled water from the Palmdale WRP for beneficial reuse. 

The Project proposes to provide advanced treatment of the tertiary recycled water to meet indirect potable 

reuse standards and directly inject the water into the AV Groundwater Basin. The Project would beneficially use 

recycled water to recharge the groundwater as a crucial strategy to augment local water supplies in the arid AV 

Region, address the uncertainty of future supplies from the State Water Project and near-term water shortages, and 

alleviate additional subsidence in the overdrafted AV Groundwater Basin. 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation will allow this important and urgent project to move forward. We 

strongly urge your thoughtful consideration of Pure Water AV, which would be the first groundwater recharge 

project in the AV Region to use recycled water, a valuable resource, and would greatly benefit the local drinking 

water supply. 

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Erika Bensch at (562) 908-

4288, extension 2801, or by email at erikabensch@lacsd.org. 

Very truly yours, 

RF:DZ:EB 

cc: Dennis LaMoreaux, Scott Rogers – Palmdale Water District 

DOC #6841747 A Century of Service 


 

 

 

 

February 24, 2023 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Water Resources and Planning Office 

Attn: Ms. Maribeth Menendez 

P.O. BOX 25007, 86-63000 

Denver, CO 80225 

Dear Ms. Menendez: 

Antelope Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Group (AVIRWMG) supports Palmdale 

Water District’s (District’s) application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Water Recycling and 

Desalination Planning Grant Program for its Pure Water Antelope Valley (Pure Water AV) (Project). 

The Project is a regional recycled water program that augments potable water supplies using 5,325 acrefeet per year (AFY) of recycled water allocation from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ 

Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant (PWRP). The Project proposes to treat tertiary recycled water to 

indirect potable standards and directly inject the advanced treated water into the Antelope Valley 

Groundwater Basin (AV) Basin. The Project addresses the uncertainty of future supplies from the State 

Water Project (SWP), resolves near-term water shortages, and alleviates additional subsidence in the 

overdrafted AV Basin. 

AVIRWMG is a group of agencies working cooperatively to manage local and imported water supplies 

to improve quality, quantity, and reliability. PWD’s project will increase the beneficial use of the 

District’s supply portfolio, which in turn will add water storage capacity in an over-drafted basin and 

increase the long-term reliability of the region’s water supply.

For these reasons, AVIRWMG enthusiastically supports the District’s Pure Water AV Project. 

Very truly yours, 

On the behalf of Antelope Valley Integrated Water Management Group 

Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, Antelope Valley State Water Contractors Association, 

City of Lancaster, City of Palmdale, Littlerock Creek Irrigation District, Los Angeles County 

Sanitation District Nos. 14 and 20, Los Angeles County Waterworks District 40, Palmdale Water 

District, Quartz Hill Water District, and Rosamond Community Services District