September 7, 2007
Florida Governor Declares September 9-15 “Water Reuse Week”
The State of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, WateReuse Florida, and others have declared September 9-15 “Water Reuse Week.” Florida Governor Charlie Crist formally endorsed Water Reuse Week via a proclamation dated August 6. Water Reuse Week coincides with the 22nd Annual WateReuse Symposium to be held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in Tampa from September 9 through September 12. Twenty utilities, water management districts, agencies, engineering firms, and other organizations have issued proclamations in honor of the celebration of water reuse. An official Water Reuse Week poster was selected through a juried competition sponsored by WateReuse Florida. For more information about Water Reuse Week, click here.
New Brackish Water Desalination Research Facility Opens
The Bureau of Reclamation, Sandia National Laboratories, and New Mexico State University opened the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, NM on August 16, according to a news release. The new research facility is dedicated to testing the desalination of brackish and impaired groundwater.
"Access to plentiful supplies of fresh water is an increasingly critical national and international issue," said Bob Johnson, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. "Demand for fresh water in many regions of the world has already outstripped supply. The technologies developed at this center will be a part of the solution."
Researchers at the new facility will work toward the goal of developing cost-effective, efficient desalination technologies that, when applied to brackish and impaired groundwater, result in new supplies of usable water for municipal, agricultural, industrial, and environmental purposes. The facility is dedicated to speeding the transfer of technologies to end users by bridging the gap between engineering and other sciences.
"Today's opening of this national research center is a key step in expanding our nation's water supplies," said Pete V. Domenici, United States Senator from New Mexico. "The partnerships formed bringing this research facility from concept to reality, will become the basis of our nation's future in water purification technologies."
EPA Honors Wyoming Recycled Water Project
A year after breaking ground on its first recycled water project, the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities is maintaining more than 230 acres of parks, cemeteries, and athletic fields with an average of one million gallons of recycled water each day, according to the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. In recognition of the project’s success, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Cheyenne the PISCES (Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success) award. The award honors organizations that find innovative ways to use money from the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund program to improve wastewater infrastructure. Officials in Cheyenne plan to expand the recycled water program in the next two years to irrigate additional parks and an elementary school.
Association Releases New Case Studies Report
Under pressure from such factors as population growth, climate change, depletion of groundwater resources, and impacts from salt, many communities are struggling to find enough water to meet their needs. A new publication from the WateReuse Association entitled Innovative Applications in Water Reuse: Case Studies Two profiles 10 communities who have faced such problems to varying extents and found innovative solutions that combine conservation, water reuse, and sometimes desalination. This edition of the Case Studies report demonstrates how communities have found success by examining a range of options for alternative water supply.
Washington State Offers $5.4 Million in Reclaimed Water Grants
In a first-ever effort, the State of Washington is offering $5.4 million in grants to help local governments in the 12 Puget Sound counties reclaim water, according to a news release. The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is carrying out the grant program under legislative directive to specifically aid Puget Sound. Ecology will give highest funding priority to projects in water-short areas and where reclaimed water will restore important ecosystem functions in Puget Sound. Local government projects that reclaim water help to recharge underground water supplies and increase flows in rivers and streams. Reclaiming water may improve Puget Sound's water quality by reducing wastewater discharges. Ecology will take grant applications through September 28.
Virginia Water Reuse Regulation Open for Public Comment
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s first Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation has moved one step closer to adoption. The draft regulation was published in the Virginia register for public comment through October 9. The proposed regulation will establish requirements for the reclamation and reuse of wastewater, including treatment standards and monitoring requirements. For more information, click here.
Advocates Push for Water Reuse in Alabama
After a third drought in eight years, water advocates in Alabama are pushing state officials to begin a water reuse program, according to the Birmingham News. Advocates point to successful water reuse programs in neighboring states such as Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and are encouraging the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to adopt water reuse regulations. “We are looking at what other states are doing, reviewing guidance documents, and actively pursuing the development of water reuse regulations,” ADEM Director Trey Glenn told the Birmingham News in a written statement. Several golf courses in the state have been permitted to use reclaimed water in the absence of state regulations.
WateReuse Accepting Abstracts for California Section Conference
The California Section of the WateReuse Association will convene its 2008 Annual Conference on March 24-26, 2008 at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, CA. The theme is “California's Recycled Water: Sailing into the Future.” The WateReuse Association is accepting abstracts for presentations and posters at the conference. Presentations will include panel discussions, individual sessions, and workshops. Abstracts should be 500 words or less and are due on September 28, 2007.
Los Angeles Poised to Double Use of Recycled Water
Los Angeles County will more than double its use of recycled water for irrigation, industrial use, and seawater barriers, according to the Contra Costa Times. Permits for these uses of recycled water in the region authorize about 4,101 acre-feet this year. The number is expected to be 11,450 acre-feet by next year and up to 23,400 acre-feet by 2013, the newspaper reported. This fall the Department of Water and Power expects to add another golf course customer and open links to Encino and Balboa. In five years, additional golf courses, parks, power plants, oil refineries, the L.A. Zoo, and Dodger Stadium will be added as customers.
El Paso Dedicates New Desalination Plant
The $87 million Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant was officially dedicated on August 8, according to
KGBT 4. The plant was built on Fort Bliss property and is being operated by El Paso Water Utilities. The new plant can convert up to 27.5 million gallons of brackish water into fresh drinking water each day. More than 39 miles of pipeline bring the brackish water from 32 wells into the plant, where the minerals are separated from the water through reverse osmosis. The resulting concentrate is then pumped through a 22-mile pipeline to three deep-injection wells.
“This project is a true service to the community, providing a new reliable water source which will improve the health, economy, and quality of life for the area,” said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX, who was on hand to unveil the plant.
Redwood City Recycled Water Project Officially Launched
Redwood City, CA officially launched its recycled water project this summer with a ceremonial “turning of the spigot” to celebrate the expanded use of recycled water. The “Getting Connected” event marked the beginning of Redwood City’s newest water resource and was held at the world-renowned Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel, which is one of the first of over 40 new customers for Redwood City’s recycled water. In addition to landscape irrigation, the Sofitel intends to use this new source of water for laundry services and eventually in the cooling system of their building. By 2010, Redwood City will be saving an estimated 300 millions of gallons of drinking water annually for crucial uses throughout the community. The project also has been awarded a $2.9 million grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board that will help accelerate the installation of recycled water pipelines, according to a news release. To view a news video about the project, click here.
Southern California Community Expands Recycled Water Use
The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is unveiling the latest phase of the San Gabriel Valley Water Recycling Program: the South El Monte High School Project, according to a news release. This phase will bring recycled water for landscape irrigation and a school district vehicle car wash to South El Monte High School. The project will conserve nearly 40 million gallons of drinking water each year, enough water to support about 250 households. Earlier phases of the program are supplying over one billion gallons of recycled water each year for irrigation at facilities such as Rose Hills Memorial Park, Rio Hondo College, and Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. The South El Monte project site is the first high school in the San Gabriel Valley to connect to the recycled water distribution system.
New Booklet Helps Communities Understand Water Reuse
The WateReuse Association has released a new book by Australian author Jenifer Simpson that adopts the premise that “we can no longer afford to use our water once and throw it away” and builds a case for rethinking attitudes about “waste-d-water.” From Waste-d-Water to Pure Water: A Simple Water Quality Rating System is a community education tool designed to enable lay people to take an unprejudiced and informed view of recycled or reclaimed water, how it is produced, its quality, and types of uses.
Carlsbad Desalination Plant Moving Closer to Approval
After seven years of planning and negotiating, a private company is moving closer to building a 50 mgd seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad, CA, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Connecticut-based Poseidon Resources has proposed building the plant, but it still must obtain a permit from the California Coastal Commission. A hearing is scheduled in November in San Diego. In July, a letter of support was sent to the Commission signed by every member of the San Diego County state delegation. To view the letter, click here.
Denver Participates in EPA’s WaterSense Program
Adding to its portfolio of water reuse and water conservation efforts, Denver Water and the City of Denver recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to participate in the WaterSense program, the Denver Post reported. The program provides an easily identifiable logo that helps consumers and professionals select products that meet EPA criteria for efficiency and performance. Through its participation in the program, Denver Water will be able to recommend products such as efficient irrigation systems and low flush toilets to its customers. The EPA launched the WaterSense program in 2006 and already more than 300 utilities and municipalities have signed agreements.
Long Beach to Study Extracting Water from the Ocean Floor for Desalination
By the end of the year, the Long Beach Water Department will begin constructing two 40-foot-long beach wells to continue its research into a proposed seawater desalination plant, according to the Press Telegram. In an effort to address potential impacts on marine life, Long Beach will study extracting seawater from 15 feet under the ocean floor through a filtration system that will be installed on the beach. The department is already operating a 300,000 gallons per day demonstration plant and has developed a multiple membrane approach to desalination that uses less energy than the standard single filter reverse osmosis method. Long Beach officials plan to build a full scale desalination plant by 2012 if their research is successful.
Recycled Water Plan in Ventura, CA Met with Skepticism
A proposal to sell recycled water to oil companies in Ventura, CA has been met with mixed reaction, according to the Ventura County Star. Under the proposed plan, about half of the wastewater that is currently being discharged to the Ventura River would be recycled and sent to oil companies to use to force oil out of the earth. However, some local officials have expressed concern that a reduced water level in the river could hurt its ecological balance and possibly disturb the endangered steelhead trout.
Tampa Desalination Plant Scheduled for Final Operational Test
Tampa Bay Water’s 25 mgd seawater desalination plant is scheduled for a final operational test at the end of October, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The plant operated briefly in 2003, but was plagued by problems in the pretreatment process. Tampa Bay Water eventually hired American Water Pridesa to fix the $140 million plant and it began producing drinking water again this year. Tampa Bay Water will be required to reduce the amount of water that it pumps out of the underground aquifer beginning in January 2008.
Frito-Lay to Recycle Water in Production Facility
Frito-Lay Inc., an Arkansas-based snack food maker, will reduce total water use in its facility by 31.5 million gallons by recycling water used during potato peeling, according to a news release. Frito-Lay has committed to this water-saving practice as part of its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program, which sets challenging environmental goals for businesses. In addition to reducing total water used, Frito-Lay plans to reduce pollution by adding a secondary wastewater treatment system and to increase its solid waste recycling efforts.
United Water to Pursue Desalination Plant in New York
United Water New York recently announced that it intends to present plans to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to build a desalination plant on the Hudson River, according to the New York Journal News. The PSC, which regulates investor owned utilities in New York, has mandated that United Water submit plans by September 30 for a long-term solution for ensuring that its Rockland customers have an adequate supply of water. The proposed desalination plant would treat up to four million gallons of water per day and cost about $79 million to build.
Local WateReuse Association Awards Prizes to Area Students
The San Diego Regional Chapter of the WateReuse Association recently presented cash prizes to six San Diego area students. The prizes were awarded to students who participated in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, held at Balboa Park in San Diego on March 28. More than 830 projects were entered in the 53rd annual science competition. A panel of judges from the local chapter of the WateReuse Association selected student entries that focused on recycled water and closely related water quality subjects. The local chapter has been awarding prizes to student entries for several years as a way to promote an interest in water recycling among students participating in the county-wide science competition.
WateReuse Foundation Releases Two New Reports
The WateReuse Foundation recently released two new research reports -- Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Potential Changes in Water Quality and Reverse Osmosis Concentrate from Water Reuse Applications Using Forward Osmosis. The WateReuse Foundation’s research seeks to provide water professionals with tools and knowledge to meet their commitment to increasing the reliability and quality of the nation’s water supplies.
Australia’s Largest Water Recycling Project Begins Operating
The Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) plant near Brisbane, Australia has produced purified recycled water for the first time, achieving a significant milestone for Australia’s largest recycled water project, according to a news release. The Bundamba AWT plant forms part of the Western Corridor Recycled Water project, which will include a network of 200 kilometers of underground pipelines and three new advanced water treatment plants. The venture, the third-largest advanced water treatment project in the world, will help secure drinking water supplies in Queensland. The Bundamba AWT plant’s treatment process includes ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, followed by advanced oxidation using ultraviolet irradiation and hydrogen peroxide.
Health Canada Releases Draft Guidelines for Water Reuse
Health Canada recently released draft guidelines for household reclaimed water in response to a growing interest in water conservation. Although the long-term goal is to develop comprehensive guidelines to allow the safe use of reclaimed water for many beneficial purposes, the focus of the first version of these guidelines is limited to the specific end uses of toilet or urinal flushing. The primary objective of establishing guidelines for reclaimed water is to ensure that the operation of water reclamation systems is protective of public health. Health Canada is accepting public comment on the guidelines until November 9. To view the guidelines, click here.
UK’s First Desalination Plant Planned for London
The first desalination plant in the United Kingdom could begin operating as early as 2009, according to the BBC. A plan was recently approved by the government for a desalination plant in London near the River Thames. However, London Mayor Ken Livingston is opposed to the plant and submitted an appeal to the U.K. High Court, according to Bloomberg. The plant would provide up to 140 million liters of water per day and run in times of drought or low rainfall. Richard Aylard, from Thames Water, told the BBC: "The desalination plant is a vital part of our plans to secure future water supplies to the capital.” The mayor contends that there are less expensive options such as conservation and fixing pipe leaks.
Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling Phase 2
The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling Phase 1 were released in November 2006. Phase 2 of guideline development is underway and will focus on stormwater reuse, managed aquifer recharge, and recycled water for drinking. In June 2007, local governments endorsed the release of a draft set of guidelines in relation to the recycled water for drinking module, as a basis for public consultation. This includes endorsement from the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, and the Australian Health Protection Committee. To view a copy of the draft guidelines, click here.
Singapore Seeks Proposals to Develop Innovative Seawater Desalination Technologies
The Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI), under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), Singapore, is calling for preliminary research proposals with breakthrough technologies in the domain of seawater desalination that will result in production of drinking water that meets World Health Organization (WHO) Drinking Water Guidelines and generate total energy consumption of 1.5 kWh per cubic meter or less. Proposals are due November 2, 2007. For more information, click here.
Latest Edition of Australian Recycled Water Newsletter Available
The 15th Edition of ReWater, a quarterly Australian newsletter focusing onfarming with recycled water and a range of other news worthy items about recycled water, isavailable for download. This edition of the newsletter includes a profile of Australia’s largest water recycling project located in Queensland, a story about vegetable crops irrigated with recycled water, and much more. To view the current edition, click here.