Water. Desalination + reuse
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/670678
| 30 | Desalination & Water Reuse | May-June 2016 regions Californians back water recycling NORTH AMERICA The American Membrane Technology Association and the American Water Works Association recently announced the winners of four awards at this year's Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition. Robert Hildreth of the Colorado River Municipal Water District in Big Spring, Texas picked up this year's Robert O. Vernon Operator of the Year Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by a plant operator working at a membrane filtration, desalination or water reuse facility that resulted in significant, long-term improvement in water production and/or water reuse. Hildreth was cited for his work as plant supervisor for the district's Raw Water Production Facility. Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System in Fountain Valley, California, was presented with this year's Membrane Facility of the Year Award. The award recognizes an outstanding water/wastewater facility that uses any membrane technology with high efficiency in an environmentally friendly approach. The Groundwater Replenishment System is the world's largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse and increases Orange County's water independence by providing a locally controlled, drought-proof supply of high-quality water. Jim Lozier of CH2M in Tempe, Arizona, won this year's Water Quality Person of the Year Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual in government, academia, research or other to water supply improvement. Ovivo USA, from Austin, Texas was presented with this year's Membrane Exhibit of the Year Award. The award recognizes the organization that highlights the importance of membrane technology with an exhibit booth at MTC. AMTA and AWWA announce ward winners Californians are eager for long-term solutions to the state's drought and are overwhelmingly supportive of using treated wastewater, or recycled water, in their everyday lives, according to a statewide survey by water technology firm, Xylem. The survey found that 76% of respondents believe recycled water should be used as a long-term solution for managing water resources, regardless of whether or not a water shortage continues. Nearly half of respondents were very supportive of using recycled water as an additional local water supply. Another 38% were somewhat supportive. More than two fifths of survey respondents were very willing to use recycled water in their everyday lives and an additional 41% were somewhat willing. "We conducted this survey in an effort to better understand public perception about recycled water, and are very encouraged by the findings," said Xylem Senior Vice President Joseph Vesey. "With overwhelming support from the public, California is well-positioned to lead the US in accelerating the availability and acceptance of recycled water. The state has the opportunity to champion a flexible framework that recognizes the unique needs of local communities as they work to establish water resource strategies that include sustainable solutions such as recycled water." There were strong indications in the findings that education could play a major part in garnering support for water recycling. Californians do not view the use of recycled water as a short- term fix to the state's five year drought. Eighty eight percent of California residents agree that even if rainfall increased, the state should continue to invest in the use of recycled water for drinking purposes. The survey also found that terminology influenced public acceptance of the use of recycled water. When reused water was referred to as "purified water," 90% of respondents were more likely to be supportive of it as an additional local water supply than when the term "recycled water" (87%) or "reclaimed water" (82%) was used. US reuse to get US$ 23 million government injection The US Bureau of Reclamation has unveiled plans this year to invest in water reuse and efficiency upgrades to the tune of US$ 23 million. The move followed water industry pressure when eight sector groups in a joint letter insisted that the bureau spend some of a US$ 100 million in drought response funding to reuse. The letter included the finding that recycled water projects currently proposed in 14 states could produce more than 900 Ml of additional water supply. The signatories said that funding reuse projects would have a "direct, immediate, and powerful impact on extending water supplies, improving reliability, and enhancing economic development." The US$ 23 million allocation will include US$ 9 million for Watersmart Grants which provide cost-shared funding for projects including water and energy efficiency, system optimization review grants andadvanced water treatment.