AR 090506 Groundwater Basin - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Regional Board has issued approximately fifteen Investigative Orders and Cleanup and Abatement Orders against numerous polluters. There are additional ongoing field investigations. The Regional Board will likely issue additional Cleanup Abatement Orders and Water Replacement Orders in up -coming months. The City staff finds that it would be in the best interests of the City of Colton's residents for the City Council to adopt a resolution supporting the Regional Board's efforts to prosecute the polluters responsible for the Groundwater Basin contamination and to encourage the County to settle with the Cities of Colton and Rialto and join them in pursuing the private polluters to fund the Groundwater Basin's clean-up. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The City is committed to providing a safe, non -contaminated potable water supply. To provide safe water at a "non -detect" level of perchlorate, the Groundwater Basin must undergo treatment at a substantial cost. It is the view of the City Attorney and Staff that the residents of the City of Colton should not be forced to shoulder the cost of this treatment. The polluters will avoid sharing in the cost of treating the water and cleaning up the Groundwater Basin unless forced to pay. Accordingly, the City Attorney and Staff agree that the Regional Board and County should take the actions necessary to force the polluters to pay. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: None. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Gift Disclosure Requirements Not applicable RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution supporting the Regional Agency's efforts to prosecute the parties responsible for polluting the Groundwater Basin and calling upon the Board of County Supervisors to assist Colton and Rialto in recovering clean-up costs. Attachment: Resolution Prepared by: Abigail Dye – Best Best & Krieger LLP IIREVIEW TEAM ONLY 11 City Aftorney::4 — IlCity Manager: Finance Director: OTHER: