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Palmdale City, Water District Settle and Create New Water Partnership


admin September 6, 2012

PALMDALE – City of Palmdale and the Palmdale Water District officials have announced a global settlement of multiple claims and lawsuits and the beginning of a new, innovative partnership on recycled water.

District Board President Gordon Dexter and Vice President Gloria Dizmang, along with Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford and Councilmember Mike Dispenza announced the settlement and the proposed formation of a new joint powers authority tentatively called the “Palmdale Recycled Water Authority.”

“This is the beginning of what promises to be a very beneficial relationship, not just for the City and the Water District, but more importantly, for our residents,” said Ledford. “It may have taken a while to get to where we are, but now that we’re here, we’re going to do some great things in Palmdale.” Dexter added that, “After years of trying to negotiate our differences we finally recognized our common goal. It has been a long road to reach this settlement, but the resulting partnership begins a new era of mutual respect and trust in meeting the current and future water needs of our community.”

“I think both sides are thrilled to, if I may paraphrase, ‘beat their litigation swords into plowshares in the form of purple recycled water pipes,’” said Dispenza. Board Vice President Dizmang stated, “I am extremely pleased that we have ended the lawsuits and am looking forward to good working relations with the City of Palmdale. This is what the new board promised the people and we have delivered.”

The new agreement comes after a three-year span in which the City and the District have been involved in multiple lawsuits and various cross claims over right-of- way permits, potable water rates and control of recycled water. “In 2011, the parties settled the right-of-way case and I think that broke the ice a little,” said Palmdale City Attorney Matt Ditzhazy. “The attorneys on both sides established a good working relationship on that case and through the Groundwater Adjudication, which also upped the trust level as both our clients saw we could work together for some common goals.”

Late last year, the District approached the City regarding possible mediation. The two parties agreed to have subcommittees of their respective boards engage in settlement talks along with the attorneys. The District appointed President Gordon Dexter and Vice President Gloria Dizmang. The City appointed Mayor Jim Ledford, and Councilmember Mike Dispenza. The parties sat down with a retired judge acting as a go-between for the mediation, but soon realized that face-to-face negotiations worked much better.

The settlement negotiation committee members from Palmdale City staff included Director of Public Works Mike Mischel and City Attorney Ditzhazy and for the District, General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux and Matt Knudson, Engineering Manager.

Together, the parties reached a settlement agreement that has the following points:

  • Settles two lawsuits entitled City of Palmdale v. Palmdale Water District (the invalidation action and the water rate case).
  • Settles the lawsuit entitled Palmdale Water District v. City of Palmdale (the recycled water case).
  • Agreement to continue working together cooperatively in the Antelope Valley Groundwater Adjudication litigation.
  • The parties are to consider the formation of a joint powers authority (“JPA”) to be known as the Palmdale Recycled Water Authority (“Authority”). Both agencies must hold public hearings on the formation. The basics of the Authority are encompassed in the draft joint powers authority attached as Exhibit A to the Settlement Agreement. Under the JPA the District and the City become the joint purveyors of recycled water within the boundaries of the District. First customer of the Authority will be the City to provide irrigation to McAdam Park on 30th Street East.
  • The District will revise its rate structure to accommodate a 10% larger base water allowance.
  • The District will provide a larger allowance for its turf buy-back program and establish other changes to the program.
  • The City will reallocate its allotments of recycled water to the JPA.
  • The Parties will obtain as much recycled water as possible on behalf of
  • the Authority.
  • The Parties will commit themselves to support all uses of recycled
  • water (direct use, recharge & exchange) and agree that all available recycled water should be put to beneficial use as soon as practicable.

                   
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The overall objective of the District is to make available the highest quality water at the lowest price.

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👏 Congratulations, PWD Board President Kathy Mac Laren-Gomez!
We’re proud to share that President Mac Laren-Gómez has been honored with a 2025 SALVA Award for her unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and community empowerment. Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition!
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👏 ¡Felicidades, Presidenta de la Junta Directiva de PWD Kathy Mac Laren-Gómez!
Estamos orgullosos de compartir que la Presidenta Mac Laren-Gómez ha sido honrada con un Premio SALVA 2025 por su inquebrantable compromiso con la justicia social, la inclusión y el empoderamiento de la comunidad. ¡Únete a nosotros en la celebración de este merecido reconocimiento!
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👏 Congratulations, PWD Board President Kathy Mac Laren-Gomez!
We’re proud to share that President Mac Laren-Gómez has been honored with a 2025 SALVA Award for her unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and community empowerment. Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition! 
----------------------------
👏 ¡Felicidades, Presidenta de la Junta Directiva de PWD Kathy Mac Laren-Gómez!
Estamos orgullosos de compartir que la Presidenta Mac Laren-Gómez ha sido honrada con un Premio SALVA 2025 por su inquebrantable compromiso con la justicia social, la inclusión y el empoderamiento de la comunidad. ¡Únete a nosotros en la celebración de este merecido reconocimiento!

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🚧 Take a look at our #bestcrewever repairing a damaged main line. PWD Service Workers quickly located the leak, replaced the broken section, and restored water service with minimal disruption. Great job, Team!
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🚧 Take a look at our #BESTCREWEVER repairing a damaged main line. PWD Service Workers quickly located the leak, replaced the broken section, and restored water service with minimal disruption. Great job, Team!
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💧 A New Chapter Begins for the Palmdale Ditch 💧
Today, we officially broke ground on a historic project that will convert the 1880s Palmdale Ditch into a modern, enclosed pipeline. Once completed, it will save about 1,500 acre-feet of water annually.

This multi-million dollar investment, funded in part by grants from the CA Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, ensures a more climate resilient future for Palmdale and surrounding communities.

A special thank you to our staff and project partners at Garney Construction and Hazen and Sawyer for helping bring this milestone to life. The energy at today’s event was filled with optimism, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the water conversation ahead. 💙
For more information, read our latest press release: ow.ly/6f3150WhcVb

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💧 Comienza un nuevo capítulo para la acequia de Palmdale 💧
Hoy hemos puesto oficialmente la primera piedra de un proyecto histórico que convertirá la acequia de Palmdale, construida en 1880, en una moderna tubería cerrada. Una vez terminado, ahorrará unos 1.500 acres-pies de agua al año.

Esta inversión multimillonaria, financiada en parte por subvenciones del Departamento de Recursos Hídricos de California y la Oficina de Reclamación de los Estados Unidos, garantiza un futuro más resistente al clima para Palmdale y las comunidades circundantes.

Un agradecimiento especial a nuestro personal y a los socios del proyecto en Garney Construction y Hazen and Sawyer por ayudar a hacer realidad este hito. La energía del acto de hoy rebosaba optimismo, colaboración y un compromiso compartido con el futuro del agua. 💙
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The #bestcrewever made smart adjustments to keep everyone safe! They moved the air-vac equipment out of the way to make sure the walkway stays clear while nearby ramps are being updated. Pedestrian safety is always our top priority. 💙
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¡Los #bestcrewever hicieron ajustes inteligentes para mantener a todos a salvo! Desplazaron el equipo de aspiración de aire fuera del camino para asegurarse de que la pasarela permanezca despejada mientras se actualizan las rampas cercanas. La seguridad de los peatones es siempre nuestra máxima prioridad. 💙
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The #BESTCREWEVER made smart adjustments to keep everyone safe! They moved the air-vac equipment out of the way to make sure the walkway stays clear while nearby ramps are being updated. Pedestrian safety is always our top priority. 💙
---------------------------
¡Los #BESTCREWEVER hicieron ajustes inteligentes para mantener a todos a salvo! Desplazaron el equipo de aspiración de aire fuera del camino para asegurarse de que la pasarela permanezca despejada mientras se actualizan las rampas cercanas. La seguridad de los peatones es siempre nuestra máxima prioridad. 💙Image attachment

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Great news! Our Bulk Water Station is back in service and ready for your non-potable water needs.
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📍 Location: East side of the parking lot at 2029 East Avenue Q, Palmdale
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💧 PWDs Bulk Water Station is BACK! 💧
Great news! Our Bulk Water Station is back in service and ready for your non-potable water needs.
🚰 Now dispensing at just $0.20 per gallon!
📍 Location: East side of the parking lot at 2029 East Avenue Q, Palmdale
----------------------------
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🚰 ¡Ahora dispensa a sólo $0.20 por galón!
📍 Ubicación: 2029 East Avenue Q, PalmdaleImage attachment

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