Report Prepared by: Debbie Forte, Water Conservation Coordinator, Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers, Inc., in the Amount not to Exceed $55,751 for Preparation of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an agreement for professional services with Black Water Consulting Engineers, Inc., to prepare a 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and supporting materials for adoption and submittal to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving an agreement with Black Water Consulting Engineers, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $55,751 for professional engineering services to prepare the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, as required under the Water Code Section 10610; and
B. Authorizing the City Manager to sign the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the agreement, as recommended by staff; or
2. Deny; or
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq. and Section 3.04.120 of the Merced Municipal Code.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-2026 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Urban Water Management Planning (UWMP) Act of the Water Code, Section 10610-10656 states that every urban water supplier serving 3,000 or more customers (or providing 3,000 acre-feet or more annually) to prepare and adopt an Urban Water Management Plan and submit it to DWR every five years (years ending in zero and five). The UWMP documents the City’s water supplies and demands, evaluates reliability under normal, dry, and multiple dry-year conditions, and identifies demand management measure and shortage response actions.
The 2025 UWMP builds on the City’s prior adopted UWMP and incorporates updated data, forecasts, and planning assumptions needed to meet current statutory and guideline requirements. Preparation of the plan is a comprehensive effort requiring coordination across multiple City departments and incorporation of available regional planning inputs.
While the State does not typically assess a direct monetary penalty for late submittal, an adopted and submitted UWMP is used as an eligibility condition for certain State water funding and grant opportunities. Completing and adopting the 2025 UWMP supports continued eligibility for water-related grants and reinforces long-range water supply planning for the City.
The 2025 UWMP is required to be submitted to DWR by July 1, 2026. DWR anticipates the final guidebook, and appendices will be released by the end of January or beginning of February 2026. Anticipated changes for the 2025 UWMP requirements are anticipated to reflect minor Water Code changes, primarily involving added definitions; requirements for suppliers that operate multiple public water systems; updated DWR submittal tables; standardized water loss reporting; consideration of direct potable reuse; inclusion of lower-income housing considerations; and expanded reporting on groundwater recharge and other water storage activities.
An updated Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP), that is part of the UWMP, will also be updated and adopted, including materials necessary to support adoption and alignment with local ordinance/program implementation as applicable and adopted.
A dependable water supply is imperative to the economic and social vitality of the City. In addition to extending the viability of long-term water supplies, the UWMP will evaluate other sources, such as recycled water and surface water exchange from Merced Irrigation District. The UWMP will analyze planning, operations, maintenance, and public education opportunities for water conservation. This is just one example of the demand management measures to be considered for the UWMP.
In November, the City issued a request for proposals (Attachment 1) to create and develop the 2025 UWMP. Four proposals were received by the submittal deadline and were ranked as follows:
1. Black Water Consulting Engineers, Inc.
2. West & Associates Engineering, Inc.
3. Shobe Engineering
4. Exodus Water Services
The selection committee’s review of the written proposals and subsequent interview resulted in the unanimous recommendation of Black Water as the best choice to meet the City’s needs. Staff reviewed the detailed scope of work and costs presented in Black Water’s proposal and negotiated an Agreement for Professional Services (Attachment 2).
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Sufficient funds were included in the budget for this item and are available in Fund 6001 Water System Operating Fund to cover this agreement with Black Water for the not to exceed amount of $55,751.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request for Proposal for UWMP
2. Professional Services Agreement