Request Council approval of the expenditure of FY2023 funds for the Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP) Mid-Term Update (Project 60079). This is a two-part project in which the City will update its 2016 Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP) and also begin the process of renewing its Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS).

Approve expenditure of funds up to $1,000,000 for the mid-term update of the Integrated Water Master Plan to include the submission/renewal of a Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) application. (Ray Diaz, Water Resources and Sustainability Manager)

The IWMP mid-term update (Project 60079) has an approved project budget of $1,000,000 funded through water and wastewater operating funds. $162,640 has been expended and/or encumbered for completion of initial tasks for the project. The remaining available budget of $837,360 will be used for the completion of the project tasks and the submission of the DAWS application.

Per City of Goodyear Resolution 08-1255, all expenditures of budgeted funds in excess of $500,000 must obtain Council approval. The city has developed and approved a Capital Improvement Program for FY2022 through FY2026. The mid-term update of the IWMP was planned to occur in FY2023 per this plan.

Master planning for municipal water and wastewater services is a very dynamic process that needs to account for factors such as population; economic development and growth; redevelopment; water supply availability; drought management; changes in water and wastewater treatment technologies; engineering; and new water quality regulations.

The purpose of this Integrated Water Master Plan is to provide the city of Goodyear with a comprehensive plan that will analyze current and future challenges and provide recommendations to adequately address them. This will allow the city of Goodyear to continue providing the highest level of services to its citizens, support growth, and meet all regulatory requirements. The previous IWMP was completed in 2016. 

Additionally, as part of this project, the City will apply to Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) for renewal of its Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS). A DAWS is necessary to demonstrate that the City has sufficient water supplies to meet the demands of current and projected developments for 100 years. Our current DAWS was approved by ADWR in 2016 and should be renewed every twelve years. This process could take up to two years to complete as many other cities will also be submitting applications to renew their DAWS.

The most current IWMP was completed in 2016. The City and its water and wastewater needs have changed significantly since this time. The update to the IWMP will look at the new growth that has occurred along with projected growth within the Rainbow Valley (RV) area which has not previously been explored in much depth. Water will be quantified within RV, and several strategies will be explored to identify water supplies, groundwater replenishment obligations, and effluent. 

The City will also submit a renewal application to ADWR to seek approval of a new DAWS. The City has a current DAWS that is not due for renewal until 2028. However, most AMWUA cities will be renewing their DAWS beginning the end of 2023. As a result, the city of Goodyear will also submit for renewal to ensure we can maximize available water supplies. Delays could mean less groundwater available to the City impacting our overall water portfolio.