Resolution for City Water Payments to Metropolitan Water District on Monday’s Council Agenda

The Pasadena City Council will consider asking the City Attorney to draft a resolution on Monday to authorize the City Manager to approve payments to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan Water District) for purchased water.

“It is in the best interest of the City to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager, General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power, or their designees, the authority to approve payment for invoices of purchased water from Metropolitan Water District in amounts necessary to meet the business needs of the City,” according to a City staff report.

The resolution ensures that the City will be able to continue purchasing water from Metropolitan Water District in necessary amounts to meet the needs of its water system by giving the City Manager and Pasadena Water and Power General Manager the flexibility to approve these payments. This ensures the City’s water needs are met without disruption.

The move comes as Metropolitan Water District plans to phase out its minimum purchase order program at the end of 2024. This program had previously provided a framework for Pasadena Water and Power to process payments for the bulk of its water supply, which is sourced from Metropolitan Water District. The City relies heavily on water purchased from Metropolitan Water District, with approximately two-thirds of the drinking water served to residents coming from the agency.

In fiscal year 2024, Pasadena’s Pasadena Water and Power paid about $21.6 million for purchased water from Metropolitan Water District.

The resolution would ensure that the City can continue to manage its water supply effectively as it transitions away from the expiring purchase order system, maintaining a reliable water source for Pasadena residents.