EMWD Celebrated for Desalination Program Leadership
The Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) received CalDesal’s Institutional Achievement Award for its efforts in promoting water desalination as a safe and sustainable water supply. EMWD, nominated by Black and Veatch, meets nearly 10% of its water demand through groundwater desalination, including its recent Perris II Desalter facility producing 5.4 million gallons daily. The district, combating brackish groundwater, removes salts, providing over 14 million gallons of drinking water daily for 30,000 households. EMWD has secured significant funding, including $22.5 million from the State Water Resources Control Board, and are actively seeking an additional $50 million authorization for further program expansion. Read the full press release here.

 

Windsor Water District Initiates Potential Annexation of a portion of Sonoma Water’s ALWSZ
At its meeting on February 7, 2024, the Windsor Water District (WWD) Board of Directors, took the first step toward the potential annexation of a portion of Sonoma Water’s Airport Larkfield Wikiup Sanitation Zone (ALWSZ). The purpose of expanding WWD’s service area via annexation would be to provide for maximum efficiency of operations for both agencies, offer a significant increase in available storage for recycled water, and gain a greater level of beneficial reuse of recycled water, thus preserving potable water for other uses. “We’re very motivated to fully explore this possible consolidation, which will benefit Sonoma Water, Windsor Water District, and the communities served by both agencies” said Grant Davis, General Manager of Sonoma Water. “We expect this project will increase operational efficiencies and expand recycled water use, and serve as an outstanding example of inter-agency collaboration for the greater good.” Read the full press release here.

 

LA County Captures Enough Rainfall to Supply Water for a Year to 65,600 Residents
The recent atmospheric river brought record-breaking rainfall to Southern California, prompting water agencies to capture runoff for future use and avoid environmental disasters. Los Angeles County Public Works collected 2.7 billion gallons of stormwater, sufficient for 65,600 residents for a year. Overall, stormwater capture facilities in Southern California, including the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD), captured around 4.9 billion gallons for groundwater recharge. LVMWD’s treatment plant faced challenges processing a massive influx of water, prompting staff to divert and treat water strategically, “the staff truly averted an environmental disaster.” Shared Mike McNutt. Read more here.