Water. Desalination + reuse
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/640467
| 30 | Desalination & Water Reuse | February-March 2016 regions California regulators seek less restriction as Carlsbad kicks in NORTH AMERICA The WateReuse Association has joined seven other water sector organizations in pressing the US Bureau of Reclamation to use some of its new drought response funds to invest in water reuse. Under legislation approved by Congress, the bureau will receive US$ 100 million to address the ongoing Western drought. In a joint letter, eight water sector groups cited a WateReuse Research Foundation study which quantified the opportunities and economic benefits of widespread water reuse, and asked the bureau to use a portion of the funds in support of water reuse research and infrastructure. "On an important issue like this one where there is potential to create significant new water supply at a time when it is urgently needed, it is vital that the water community speak with one voice in requesting federal support," said WateReuse association executive director, Melissa L Meeker. The letter included the finding that recycled water projects proposed in 92 agencies in 14 states could produce more than 900 Ml of additional water supply. The water groups said that funding reuse projects would have a direct, immediate, and powerful impact on extending water supplies, improving reliability, and enhancing economic development. Congress directed the bureau of reclamation to announce, by early February, how it planned to distribute the new drought response funds. The letter was signed by the WateReuse Association, National Association Clean Water Agencies. American Public Works Association, National Association of Water Companies, Water Environment Federation, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, American Water Works Association, and Association of California Water Agencies. US water groups press government for focus on reuse California regulators have proposed that a 25% state-mandated water conservation target should be eased off on grounds including the start up of major desalination and water reuse programmes. Under the proposals inland regions and those deploying new sources such as recycled water and the recently completed Carlsbad giant desalination plant, could be eligible for a reduction in conservation obligations imposed by state governor, Jerry Brown. State water regulators set local targets in the range between 4-36% but they will expire in February 2016. Brown recently extended his mandate, allowing regulators to impose conservation measures until October 2016, should California continue to face drought in January. Climate and conservation manager for the State Water Resources Control Board, Max Gomberg, said Californians had reduced their water consumption by 27%. "We're proposing modest changes," he said. California is in its driest four-year span on record and officials anticipate a possible fifth year of drought. Community leaders in Southern California have argued that the state should acknowledge huge investments in new water supplies in the region including the US$ 1 billion Carlsbad seawater desalination plant, and Orange County's recent expansion of wastewater recycling to produce drinking water at 400 Ml/d. "It has been difficult to tell our ratepayers that their investments in local supply projects have not resulted in providing the buffer against drought as intended," the city of San Diego's public utilities director, Halla Razak, recently told state regulators. Texas town reclaims 4 Ml/d from desalination waste treatment A new membrane desalination plant at Horizon, Texas is reclaiming wastewater from an existing reverse osmosis treatment plant at more than 4 Ml/d. The water recovered by a system built and installed by industrial water treatment firm, Progressive Water Treatment (PWT), is blended with raw well water for use as drinking water. According to PWT the new systems have operated at more than 99% efficiency since their commissioning. "Horizon City is now able to use this water as a source for drinking water. That's over a million gallons per day that the city doesn't have to treat, which could serve up to a third of its population's needs," said president of PWT, Marc Stevens. Designer, builder and service provider, PWT, is the first company in a newly formed group, OriginClear Group. "As corporations increasingly outsource their water treatment, companies like PWT are stepping in to serve them," said OriginClear's chief executive, Riggs Eckelberry. "We intend to help unify these outsourced water services companies for the benefit of outsourcing customers across North America and eventually, the world," Eckelberry said.