Low on Water, but High on Celebrity, Las Virgenes Seeks Wastewater Purification Facility

The Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority has approved a final impact report for the Pure Water Project, a water purification facility in Agoura Hills, CA. The facility will supply water to 75,000 residents in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, and 14,000 residents in Ventura’s Oak Park. It will reduce the local dependence on imported water from Northern California which at the moment is quite high and have the capacity to treat up to 6 million gallons per day. The facility will use a multi-step purification process to remove bacteria, viruses, pharmaceuticals, and other compounds of concern from the water. The project has received broad community support, and funding will come from federal and state grants and low-interest loans. It is estimated that the district will produce water at a lower cost than importing it in 15 years.

 

This new technology’s ability to effectively treat waste water while reducing costs and energy usage is highly relevant to the future of waste water treatment. As the global population continues to grow and industrial activities continue to increase, the demand for efficient and effective waste water treatment will only become more pressing. This new technology is a step in the right direction and may lead to further advancements and innovations in this field.

The article mentioned earlier discussed the challenges associated with current waste water treatment methods, such as high costs, energy consumption, and limited effectiveness in treating certain pollutants. The development of this new technology, which addresses these challenges, highlights the ongoing effort to find more sustainable and efficient solutions to waste water treatment. This will likely have a positive impact on both the environment and human health, making it an important advancement in the field of waste water treatment.

Recycled Water May Prove Crucial for Northern California amid Ongoing Droughts, Climate Change.

The KQED article talks about the division of water recycling plants specifically about The San Francisco Bay Area lagging far behind Southern California in water recycling, which could take decades to catch up, according to policy experts. The lower half of the state recycled 83% more water than the Bay Area last year. With two multi-year droughts in a decade and the pace of human-caused climate change accelerating, water agencies in the region are grappling with the need for more recycled water. California’s climate is expected to grow more arid, providing 10% less water statewide by 2040, and recycled water must be part of the state’s plan to adapt to drought. 

 

With the Bay Area seemingly never going to stop growing as tech only keeps revolutionizing and silicon valley brings in more jobs and families, the Bay will need to respond for an upcoming demand in resources. So, the development of more efficient and effective methods of treating wastewater is crucial in ensuring a sustainable future, as it helps to minimize environmental pollution and the spread of diseases. The use of AI and machine learning technologies in wastewater treatment is a very interesting concept and not only helps to automate the process but also improves the accuracy and speed of decision-making, reducing the potential for human error.

Sacramento Regionalsan Expands Water Recycling Capacity with New Facility.

RegionalSan is upgrading its wastewater processing facility in Elk Grove, California, which processes wastewater from customers in Sacramento and West Sacramento counties. In an interview, various details and specifics were revealed and the new facility, called EchoWater, will clean sewage to the extent that it can be used to water food crops and the water will be used all the way down to Folsom. When complete, EchoWater will be the second largest facility of its kind in the US  as it is 3000 acres. The $1.7 billion project will remove ammonia from wastewater, filter it to a high degree and transfer it to agriculture. The new plant will provide 130 million gallons of recycled water per day for use in parks, ballfields, and medians in Elk Grove. 

 

The article highlights some of the major challenges and opportunities in the field of wastewater treatment and I am encouraged by the advancements being made in the use of technology to improve the treatment process. The use of machine learning and other advanced technologies, as well as the increasing focus on sustainability, will likely result in more effective and efficient methods for treating wastewater in the future. It is also important to be concious of all of the land this facility is taking up, 3,000 acres is not naturally cleared out, so the envornomental effects are notable solely based off of land used. Although, this is definitely a scenario where pros and cons need to be considered and what outweighs which as the overall goal of the plant will put less stress on different aspects of the environment by recycling water, one of the main drought prevent mechanisms, so there will be less stress on the ​​aquifers.

With Costs Going up, Palo Alto Ponders next Steps for New Water Treatment Plants.

Palo Alto and Mountain View, California are to consider the cost implications of building a salt-removal plant to make treated wastewater more usable for trees and vegetation. The cities signed an agreement with Valley Water in 2019, with the $20m salt-removal plant a major component. However, costs have doubled, with total construction costs estimated at $52.6m and the cities on the hook for a combined $24.7m. The project also involves constructing a pump station and pipelines, with Valley Water to finance and operate a purification plant at the same site. The plant will rely on reverse osmosis to convert treated wastewater into potable water.

 

My initial reaction to the article is a mix of hope and excitement. I was a little caught off guard by the title of the article and thought that it must have been a different Palo Alto then the one so close to us. The advancements in wastewater treatment technology that it discusses show a promising future for the industry and the environment, and for it to be so close to home is incredibly cool. The idea of using sustainable and eco-friendly methods to clean and recycle water is fantastic and much needed in today’s world. In my opinion, the future of wastewater treatment looks very promising, however, I also recognize that there is still much work to be done in terms of implementing these new technologies on a large scale and making them accessible to communities around the world, along with what the article brought up about the cost factors involved, and how it is defintley a serious financial commitment. Overall, I believe that the future of wastewater treatment is bright, and I am encouraged by the progress that is being made in this field and it is so cool to see it being implemented so close to home.

Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 Expansion Project

The Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP-5) in California is undergoing a $330 million expansion project to increase its liquid treatment capacity from 16.3 million gallons per day to 22.5 million gallons per day. The project will also include the construction of a solids treatment facility. The expansion will be funded through a combination of low-interest rate loans and grants from the EPA and the state of California. The project aims to meet all regulatory requirements, be energy-efficient and continue to provide recycled water to the growing service area. The expansion will include the construction of a new membrane bioreactor, primary clarifiers and fine screen facility, while the solids treatment facility will include a rotary drum thickening building, digester facilities, centrifuge dewatering building and more.

it is interesting to see the expansion plans for the Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5, and it gives me hope that this will cause a movement, or possibel encouragement for other states to follow the footsteps of California. It’s great to see that the plant will be constructed with the environment in mind, meeting all regulatory requirements and utilizing energy-efficient equipment. The funding sources are also noteworthy, with a significant loan from the EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and the State of California Clean Water State Revolving Fund, prior to this energy effcient programs did not receive much government or private funding, so this is an encouraging sign. Overall, this project shows a commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply for the growing service area.

Recycled Water

Kovner, Guy. “North Bay Agencies Seek $83 Million to Expand Water Recycling amid Drought.” Santa Rosa Press Democrat, The Press Democrat, 18 May 2022, https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/north-bay-agencies-seek-83-million-to-expand-water-recycling-amid-drought/.

The North Bay in California is fully on board with recycled water plants. Dozens of recycled-water plant proposals are sprouting, and grants are being requested for 81.2 million dollars to provide recycled water for different counties. Gov. Gavin Newsom is backing this up as it is one of our best drought-proof resources. While the idea of recycled water does trigger the gag reflex for some, many believe that should not be the case due to the extremities of purification.

With the rise of many water recycling plants, it could be argued that it is because of overpopulation. This is a solution as the environment can not naturally sustain the population within that range. Millions of gallons to golf courses, lawns, and households, and there is bound to be a water shortage. This is a more significant issue than just water, it runs deeper, and it is easy to imagine that this is only a short-term solution for a long-term problem. Overpopulation could deplete many other natural resources, and it is easy to root back the majority of climate issues to exceeding carry capacities in given environments.

Recycled Water

Ding, Jamie. “In Face of Recurring Drought, Cities Seek Security in Wastewater Recycling Projects.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2022, https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-07-17/wastewater-recycling-provides-hedge-against-drought. 

 

California is on a cycle of snowpack-dependent water, which is risky as climate change disrupts the amount of snow we get. That is why Southern California is in the process of having a wastewater plant that produces enough water for 500,000 homes. It would cost 3.4 billion dollars, with a 130 million maintenance fee yearly. Construction for this is planned to begin in 2024 and end in 2031. The purification process consists of breaking down toxic nitrogen gas and making it not toxic. Next, it will go through filters 1/100 size of a grain of sand getting rid of impurities. Finally, ultraviolet light slices through any left bacteria.

 

We can not rely on the environment as it is constantly changing with climate change, so relying on the hope that the snowpack can produce water for growing populations yearly is everything but sustainable. Recycling water would depend less on that and other natural water resources like the rivers. The recycling of water would be a huge step towards sustainability, and conservation, as this is a great example of technology lessening the impact on the environment. It is important to note that 3.4 billion dollars do not spawn in the air. I also question the negative side of this and how it will affect the environment around the plant.

Waste Water Treatment/Recycled Water

Annikakimc. “What’s in Your Drinking Water? If You Live in One of These States, It Might Soon Be Recycled Sewage.” CNBC, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/19/direct-potable-reuse-why-drinking-water-could-include-recycled-sewage.html.

Texas implemented a method to recycle water, and other states like; California, Colorado, and Florida will implement it. The method is called direct potable reuse (DPR). Water that goes down the toilet, shower, and sink gets treated in a three-step process in advanced purification facilities. DPR can produce millions of gallons of drinking water a day. The result of this is to avoid crisis before it happens, as climate change is making rain patterns extremely sporadic, increasing the odds of droughts by putting less stress on natural drinking sources like rivers and lakes.

This article explained to me what DPR is and its benefits of it. At first, I was slightly taken aback by it, as the toilet-tap idea grossed me out. However, it was made clear that it is not necessarily where your water comes from but rather the cleanliness of it. Water is a very overlooked natural resource. There is a limited quantity of it until it rains again. As rain is becoming more sporadic, especially when seen in drought charts in California, DPR is a great idea to sustain water. With growing populations, recycled water is a realistic option to help not deplete that resource. This was seen in Wichita Falls, Texas, when DPR was implemented in order not to start having to deliver water bottles for drinking water.

Colorado River Shortage

Fountain, H. (2021, August 17). In a First, U.S. Declares Water Shortage on Colorado River. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/climate/colorado-river-water-cuts.html

In this article it goes into detail of the water crisis the US is currently facing. The crisis has called for the Bureau of Reclamation to reconsider how water is maintained in the southwest in America and also consider how infrastructure can change and improve as a result. This tri-state problem has called for the collection of officials of both the American southwest and mexico. This is an example of a shortage of a resource and how farmers are the ones to face cuts in order to maintain stability. 

 

In my opinion this situation is being handled well, however the call for planning and creating a tri state program that forces sustainable approaches and development is not only necessary but smart in the long run. Water shortages will continue to happen as a result of climate change so having not only a plan in effect to conserve water for the short term but also to create a sustainable system that lasts into the future. The mentality presented in the article makes me hopeful for the future and also forces the hard question that is, what happens when we can’t even conserve water, our most basic resource. This also is an example of a tragedy of the commons, being that planning to conserve water will take water away from the ecosystem around it. Changing water and its location inevitably will impact the surrounding ecosystem and cause damage. So the big question is, conserving water for humans at the cost of ecosystems.

 

World Water Week: Promoting sustainable irrigation by focusing on ecosystems

World Water Week: Promoting sustainable irrigation by focusing on ecosystems – World. (2018, August 29). Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-water-week-promoting-sustainable-irrigation-focusing-ecosystems

Human development is linked with water: This article talks about the immense importance water has within our communities. Rural communities are particularly highlighted and how agriculture plays a main role in their survival. Agriculture, however, needs a lot of water, a resource that is disappearing. “The effects of climate change are mostly visible through water; either long droughts or floods, both of which have a significant impact on IFAD’s cross cutting areas: youth, gender and nutrition. IFAD understands investing in innovative technologies and projects, policies and local institutions on sustainable management of water resources can increase water security for rural women and men” (World).

World Water Week, a meeting place for scientist and policy makers took place in Stockholm, Sweden. I think it is fabulous to know that there is clearly a group of people that is aware of the problem and they know that recycling used water may be the key solution to it. From the article I learned that this past August they published the book Resource Recovery from Waste. I look forward to hear what comes of this from the Swiss side and how they impact the surrounding countries. From reading about Alternative Energy, we learned that the many alternative energies would only make a difference if all countries and all continents agrees to stop using coal and to create an equilibrium in the energy produced and energy consumed, I think that idea should be used for recycled water as well. If everyone decides to work together, there will be a much bigger impact in the preservation of water, a finite resource.