NEWPORT BEACH

The City Council voted Monday to back a proposed ground-water replenishment system that members said will ensure safe water for city residents for the next two decades. In their 4-2 vote, with council members Tom Thomson and Norma Glover voting no (Councilman Tod W. Ridgeway was absent), council members agreed with two Orange County agencies and several officials who said the system was necessary to ensure clean water.

The Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District plan to build a pipeline and treatment facilities if the concept is supported by the public and receives approval from federal, state and local authorities.