Agreement clears the way for design, construction, and long-term operation of two new groundwater wells to restore Pleasanton’s local groundwater supply.
Pleasanton, CA – This week, Pleasanton took another step toward restoring its local groundwater supply after the City Council approved moving forward with an agreement withZone 7 Water Agency on Tuesday, September 1, clearing the way for the Joint Groundwater Supply Project to advance into environmental review, design, and construction.
The City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the agreement with Zone 7 Water Agency (Zone 7). The agreement sets the framework for designing, constructing, and operating the new facilities through 2055. Under the agreement, Zone 7 will own, operate, and maintain the new groundwater facilities, while Pleasanton will retain its right to 3,500 acre-feet of groundwater annually. The new facilities are expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2029.
The groundwater supply project is intended to restore Pleasanton’s local groundwater supply, strengthen long-term water reliability, and provide greater stability in water supply costs over time.
“Restoring Pleasanton’s local groundwater supply is essential, and the City Council has been working toward this milestone for a long time,” said Mayor Jack Balch. “This agreement with Zone 7 provides us a path forward to bring our local water supply back online, strengthen long-term water reliability, and provide greater stability in our water supply costs over time.”
Zone 7 will lead environmental review, design, and construction while Pleasanton oversees community outreach and provides input on features affecting City-owned property. Zone 7 will seek City approval on the design of project features affecting City-owned property, including facility aesthetics, location, and noise.
The agreement protects Pleasanton’s interests, including the right to withdraw during the design phase and the guarantee of at least 3,500 acre-feet annually once operational. Zone 7 will continue supplying interim water during construction. If delays are caused solely by Zone 7, the City receives water at a reduced rate. Both agencies must approve any cost increases beyond approved contingencies.
During Phase III, after the project is completed, Zone 7 will own, operate, and maintain the groundwater facilities and Pleasanton will contribute to operating and maintenance costs based on its proportional use of the facilities. Zone 7 will fund and carry out major repairs, replacements, and upgrades to the facilities over time.
Under the joint agreement, the project includes constructing two new groundwater wells at Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park and Hansen Park and a pipeline to transport groundwater from those sites to Zone 7’s Hopyard Chloramination Facility for treatment before it enters the Zone 7 water system. Zone 7 will deliver the groundwater to the City through its existing water system and turnouts. Separate from this agreement with Zone 7, the City, at its sole cost and responsibility, will be implementing improvements to its distribution system to properly deliver water to Pleasanton’s residents.
The new joint groundwater facilities are projected to cost $42.3 million, with Pleasanton’s share estimated at $15.2 million. In addition, the City distribution improvements are estimated at $12.3 million for the City-owned water distribution system. Including the feasibility phase costs of $1.5 million, Pleasanton is expected to spend about $29 million for the City Groundwater Supply Project.
Since 2022, when PFAS detections took Pleasanton’s groundwater wells offline, the City has relied entirely on purchased Zone 7 water. With this agreement, the project now moves into environmental review and design, with the new wells targeted for completion by the end of 2029, restoring local supply and long-term cost stability.
For more information about Pleasanton’s water system and ongoing water planning efforts, visit www.PleasantonWater.com.