FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2006
For more information contact:
Zachary Dorsey, WateReuse Association
(703) 548-0880 or zdorsey@WateReuse.org
CALIFORNIA SECTION NAMES ITS 2006 AWARD WINNERS
Presented by the California Section of the WateReuse Association
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – The California Section of the WateReuse Association presented awards to six deserving water recycling advocates at its Fourth Annual Conference titled “Bridging the Gap with Recycled Water” held March 12-14, 2006 in San Francisco, CA.
Francis Spivy–Weber, executive director of Policy for the Mono Lake Committee, and Bill Jacoby, public affairs director with San Diego County Authority, were co-recipients of the 2006 Advocate of the Year Award. Ms. Spivy-Weber was recognized as an environmental leader with an understanding of water issues and supply challenges that confront California. Additionally, her leadership of the 2005 California Landscape Task Force was key in developing a set of actions to promote the use of recycled water in urban landscapes. Mr. Jacoby was recognized for his service in the water recycling field for his legislative and financial advocacy for recycled water projects in the San Diego region, and throughout California. He was also recognized for his many years of participation in numerous committees, task forces, and steering committees related to recycled water growth in California.
Carlsbad Municipal Water District, located in northern San Diego County, earned the award for Medium-Sized Recycled Water Agency of the Year (annual recycled water use between 1,000-5,000 Acre-Feet per Year). Carlsbad currently serves 2,000 AFY to nearly 225 sites including parks, schools, residential areas, the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields and Legoland. The district is in the process of expanding it’s recycled water program to provide an additional 5,000 AFY of recycled water to more than 300 identified locations throughout the City of Carlsbad.
West Basin Municipal Water District, headquartered in the Carson, California, earned the award for Large-Sized Recycled Water Agency of the Year (annual recycled water use greater than 5,000 AFY). West Basin provides more than 24,000 AFY of recycled water to more than 200 facilities and customers in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. The District provides four customized recycled water qualities tailored to individual customer needs for uses such as landscape irrigation, cooling towers, boiler feed water, toiletflushing, street sweeping, and sea water barrier. West Basin has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand its recycled water program to provide an additional 16,800 AFY to numerous communities throughout the South Bay region.
The Recycled Water Public Education and Community Outreach Program Award was presented to the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District. Since 2003, the District has delivered up to 3 MGD of recycled water to a recycled water demonstration project located in Elk Grove, California. Extensive use of public education and outreach efforts, including community advisory committees, annual reports and websites, has been instrumental in making the project a success.
The Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California was honored as the 2006 Customer of the Year in recognition of its commitment to maximize the use of recycled water within the Base. Since 2000, the Base has partnered with the West Basin Municipal Water District to provide recycled water to the new buildings located on the Base. Seven buildings have been constructed with dual-plumbing for recycled water use in toilets and urinals. In addition, all five acres of landscaping at the facility are irrigated with recycled water. The Los Angeles Air Force Base is serving as a template for bases throughout the world though it’s innovative use of recycled water.
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The WateReuse Association is a national organization whose mission is to increase the amount of high quality water available for communities and the environment by promoting and investing in water reuse. The Association's membership consists of water agencies, public agencies, consulting firms, and local, state, and federal government agencies. WateReuse is involved in national advocacy, public education and outreach, and water reuse research.