AgdaPkt 2003-07-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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F3.0d REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager July 28, 2003 Subject Redwood City Recycled Water Project Recommendation 1. Adopt a resolution approving and confirming the Mitigated Negative Declaration as certified by the Planning Commission and making the necessary associated findings 2. Adopt a resolution finding that the use of recycled water for landscape irrigation is safe, is environmentally responsible, and can contribute to the health, safety and welfare of all Redwood City residents Background After the Planning Commission certified the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Recycled Water Project ( "Project ") in August 2002, concerns were raised about the public health and environmental implications of using tertiary disinfected recycled water for landscape irrigation. The City prepared an Addendum focused on these concerns, which was made available for public review in May 2003. During the 28-day comment period, a total of 16 written comments were received. Of these, 9 supported the Project, 5 opposed the Project, 2 provided information on or raised questions about the use of recycled water. At the City Council study session held on June 9, there were 22 speakers. Of these, 7 supported the project, 13 expressed opposition, and 2 provided information about recycled water. City staff assembled all written comments and summaries of oral testimony. The city's environmental consultant, C112M Hill - in association with consulting scientists and engineers with extensive experience in public health aspects of using recycled water for non - potable uses such as landscape irrigation - provided answers to those comments which raised questions or concerns about issues of public health or the environment. The information provided by these experts is contained in the "Response to Comments on the Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration" document provided to the City Council and made available to interested parties. Having carefully reviewed all of the information developed throughout this extended review process, City staff concludes that the use of recycled water, treated and distributed for landscape irrigation in compliance with the standards of the California Department of Health Services is safe, is environmentally responsible, and can contribute to the health, safety and welfare of all Redwood City residents. The correspondence from the San Mateo County Health Services Agency (see Attachment #3) and the Santa Clara County Medical Association (see Attachment #4) indicates that the physicians, scientists and engineers professionally responsible for protection of public health are satisfied that recycled water, treated and disinfected in compliance with California regulations, is safe for use in landscape irrigation. 1 of 2