Water Authority to continue study of water treatment capacity enhancement
August 28, 2003
In a move to continue addressing the need for additional water treatment capacity for the San Diego region, the San…
In a move to continue addressing the need for additional water treatment capacity for the San Diego region, the San Diego County Water Authority board of directors today authorized the continued planning of a new water treatment plant. As part of the overall planning process, the board approved a contract with Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. for up to $360,000 for environmental support services to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Meetings with the Water Authority’s member agencies will continue over the next four months to determine if construction of a new plant is necessary or if other options are available to address growing demand for treated water.
“A key finding of the Water Authority’s Regional Water Facilities Master Plan was the need for additional regional water treatment capacity,” said Bernie Rhinerson, Water Authority board chairman. “We must continue the planning of this new facility to ensure that the Water Authority can build a treatment plant in a timely manner should our board determine this to be the best alternative for providing additional treatment capacity.”
A decision to move forward or not move forward with a Water Authority water treatment plant is required by the December 2003 board meeting in order to meet a proposed completion date of spring 2007.
Currently, water treatment plants owned and operated by the Water Authority’s member agencies and water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provide all of the region’s drinking water. The Water Authority’s treatment plant could produce an additional 50- to 100-million gallons per day and would be constructed at the Water Authority’s Twin Oaks Valley Diversion Structure north of San Marcos.
The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 23 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $126 billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.
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