HomeMy WebLinkAboutP1 - Groundwater Replenishment System PresentationE
August 9, 1999
Groundwater Presentation
Replenishment System
Groundwater Replenishment System
Fact Sheet
Two Orange County agencies — the Orange County Water District and the Orange
County Sanitation District — are considering building a pipeline and treatment facilities
for a proposed Groundwater Replenishment System if the concept is publicly
supported and receives approvals from a variety of federal, state and local agencies.
Currently, the water and sanitation districts have committed to studying the concept as
one possible solution to Orange County's water-demand challenge.
The Groundwater Replenishment System under consideration would create a new,
safe and reliable water supply to meet increased demands for high - quality water.
Treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District currently discharged
into the ocean would undergo advanced water treatment that would include
microfiltration, reverse osmosis and disinfection. This purified water would be of
exceptional quality and would exceed all state and federal drinking water standards.
The purified water intended for drinking would be pumped to spreading ponds and
naturally introduced to the groundwater basin. After traveling the same natural filtering
path rainwater takes through the ground, this water eventually would blend into the
groundwater to be extracted and made available for everyday use, including drinking,
cooking and bathing. Some water produced by the system would protect the
groundwater from seawater intrusion and a small portion would be used for landscape
irrigation and industrial applications.
Acre -foot:
Project area:
Project area population:
Current water demand:
Project Area Water Facts
Sufficient water for two families of four
for an entire year
350 square miles in north and central Orange
County
Two million residents; three million projected
by 2020
500,000 acre -feet per year
„ "u` fle ...' ^f( ::crib it:rl•.•.`n'.: n[':r•; Ih( 0"rih C,U Ik
a,
- ... .. � .'c.i'sf! � .., .�C�i. 4oa•inn• :_!q, _.. * .'OF.
Groundwater Replenishment System
Fact Sheet
Page 2 of 3
Projected water demand in 2020:
Current sources of water:
Demand for purchased water in
2020 if project is not built:
Orange County Water District:
650,000 acre -feet per year
60 percent groundwater, 40 percent
purchased water (Colorado River and State
Water Project)
350,000 acre -feet, a 75 percent increase over
current demand
Agency responsible for managing and
protecting the groundwater basin serving
23 cities and water agencies in north and
central Orange County
Orange County Sanitation District: Agency responsible for collection, treatment
and disposal of wastewater in 23 cities, two
sanitary agencies and one water agency in
north and central Orange County
Project benefits:
Construction required:
Project Facts
Provides reliable, local water supply for
groundwater replenishment, groundwater
protection from seawater intrusion, landscape
irrigation and industrial uses; reduces ocean
discharges; decreases reliance on expensive
and undependable water purchases; and
helps drought -proof Orange County
13 -mile pipeline built in the Santa Ana River
right of way between Fountain Valley and
Anaheim, new injection wells and a new
treatment plant at existing Orange County
Water District or Orange County Sanitation
District facilities
Location of construction: Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove,
Huntington Beach, Orange and Santa Ana
LI
0
0
E
Groundwater Replenishment System
Fact Sheet
Page 3 of 3
Agency reviews and approvals:
Proposed schedule:
Estimated Phase I cost:
Estimated total project cost:
Potential funding sources:
Awards
More than a dozen federal, state and
local agencies responsible for health,
environmental safety and water quality would
review the system
1994: Project research begun
1999: Complete environmental process;
Decide whether to proceed and begin design
2003: Phase I operational, producing
50,000 acre -feet per year
2010: Phase II operational, producing
75,000 acre -feet per year
2020: Phase III operational, producing
100,000 acre -feet per year
$275 million, depending upon options chosen
$350 million to $400 million through 2020
A mix of federal, state and local funding is
being explored. Grants of $25 million are
expected.
"1998 Planned Project of the Year"
Presented by the WateReuse Association of
California
Groundwater
wv Replenishment System
What People Are Saying About the Groundwater
Replenishment System
"From our perspective, (Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) the Groundwater
Replenishment System makes sense technologically, environmentally and economically.
Therefore, we support the development and implementation for the future generations living
in Orange County. We commend the OCWD and OCSD for their vision and leadership..."
Tony Aguilar, Vice President
"I am delighted to have worked ... to obtain funding for the Groundwater Replenishment
System. It is imperative we locate new sources of urban water that don't damage the
environment. The Groundwater Replenishment System is an outstanding example of a
creative and environmentally friendly solution that I am pleased to support."
Senator Barbara Boxer, D - California
"I urge your support of the Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment
System request for the California Energy Commission's End Use E =nergy Efficiency
grant... The System will provide not only a valuable supplemental supply of new water but will
be energy efficient and environmentally sound..."
Senator Ross Johnson, CA - Senate Republican Leader
"The Board of Directors of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce voted to support the
Groundwater Replenishment System Project. We realize the need for added water supply
for Orange County in the very near future..."
Connie Margolin, President and CEO
"I am happy to report that the Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse the
Groundwater Replenishment System Project ... I might add that to my knowledge this is the
first time that any reuse project has received the endorsement from the Section."
Raymond C. Miller, Executive Director
Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works
"The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce hereby supports the joint project of the Orange
County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District and their efforts to
successfully increase the available water supply through the Groundwater Replenishment
System."
Michael D. Neben, Public Affairs
•
io-.inp
"Implementation of the OCWD project will allow the northern and central Orange County
area to significantly increase its local water suppliers, alleviate the effects of dry years and
reduce its reliance on imported water sources."
Representative Ron Packard, R - San Clemente
Extracts from Orange County Supervisors Resolution: "the future need for adequate, reliable
and high quality water supplies for Southern California can only be met by using every
available source for water... THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board
of Supervisors... hereby reiterates its support for water reclamation and recycling projects
and directs its departments and staff to coordinate work effort on the Groundwater
Replenishment System Project..."
Orange County Supervisors
Resolution 98 -309 - August, 1998
"Orange County Taxpayers Association (OCTax) strongly supports water projects.... We
note that [the Groundwater Replenishment System] would reduce waste, produce 100,000
acre -feet of water locally at one -half the energy cost: of imported water, improve the quality of
water in the Orange County aquifer, and reduce our dependence on water imported from the
Colorado River and Northern California. Please :add OCTax to your list of public - benefit
associations that support the development of the Groundwater Replenishment System."
Reed L. Royalty, President
"It was a pleasure to lead efforts on behalf of the entire Orange County Congressional
delegation to include funding in this bill for the Groundwater Replenishment System project.
It is an extremely important water program, especiallly in light of future Orange County growth
projections."
Representative Loretta Sanchez, D - Garden Grove
"I am writing on behalf of the Groundwater Foundation and our international network of
Groundwater Guardian communities to strongly support the. Orange County Water District's
plans for their proposed Groundwater Replenishment System."
Susan S. Seacrest, President
"My support for the Groundwater Replenishment System is based on a water treatment
process that would protect the health of water consumers by including microfiltration followed
by 100 percent reverse osmosis in the treatment train. I am pleased to learn that the Orange
County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District plan to provide this high
level of treatment."
John F. Skinner, M.D.
0
Groundwater
-wv Replenishment System
Ten Good Reasons to Support the Ground
Water Replenishment System...
I. The Groundwater Replenishment System will provide Orange County with
100,000 acre -feet of supplemental new water, decreasing the need for and
drain on imported sources (one acre -foot of water will supply two families
of four for an entire year.)
2. The new water can be used for multiple purposes including household,
landscaping, industrial and for prevention of sea water intrusion.
3. The Groundwater Replenishment System will improve the quality of the
County's groundwater basin by adding high quality water to the aquifers.
4. The System will create a new wastewater storm treatment capability that
will reduce wastewater flows to the ocean during storms.
5. To produce this water, it will take one -half of the energy currently required
to bring imported water to Orange County, making it much more energy
efficient.
6. The System will reduce the amount of water discharged to the ocean by
100,000 acre -feet per year.
7. The cost of water produced by the Groundwater Replenishment System
will be equal to or less than the cost of future imported water.
8. Groundwater Replenishment System water will be available: regardless of
rainfall levels or drought conditions.
9. Jobs will be created through the development and operation of the
project, and construction will take place on existing 'Water District
property and out of public rights -of -ways in order to minimize impacts to
the community.
10. Other benefits include: potential for an industrial water reclamation
enterprise zone, stimulation of the reclamation industry worldwide leading
to earlier and better desalination technology, and less consumption of
potable water for industrial use.
I*
Groundwater
,100 Replenishment System
Groundwater Replenishment System Q &A:
Q: What is the Groundwater Replenishment System that is being evaluated?
A: It is a proposed system that could create a new, safe and reliable water supply
to meet the county's increased demand for high - quality water. Treated
wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District of would undergo an
advanced water treatment, including microfiltration, reverse osmosis and
purification. These processes have a proven track record in providing high -
quality water.
The Groundwater Replenishment System would take highly treated wastewater
currently discharged into the ocean, direct it through a high -tech treatment
plant, and allow it to percolate into the groundwater basin along the same
natural filtering path rainwater takes through the ground. The resulting purified
water would help meet the water demand of a growing population and be of
better quality than Santa Ana River water currently used to recharge the
. groundwater basin. Some of the water would be used for groundwater injection
to protect the groundwater from seawater intrusion and a small portion would
be used for landscape irrigation and industrial needs.
Q: Why is it being considered?
A: It is being considered to meet the water needs of north and central Orange
County. The area's population stand's at two million and is projected to
continue to increase to three million by 2020. Currently, this 350 - square -mile
area of Orange County uses approximately 500,000 acre -feet of water per year.
To put that number in perspective, one acre -foot of water is sufficient to serve
the needs of two families of four for an entire year. Experts estimate that the
region will need nearly 150,000 additional acre -feet annually by the year 2020.
With increased population, water supplies will become even more limited and
expensive. In order to meet growing water demand, the Orange County Water
District and Orange County Sanitation District are looking for ways to provide a
safe, reliable, high - quality water supply.
Q: Where would the system be located if it is built?
A: The Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District
are considering construction of a 13 -mile: pipeline between Fountain Valley and
Anaheim. The water would percolate into the groundwater basin from ponds
' r:nn:.7n ^.: .. ,. a,nn: lbd::'.ii; ter•.: :no'tlrt r iouufr Saru: ntrur i.rrdrc:
Groundwater Replenishment System
Q&A
Page 2 of 4
located in Anaheim. New injection wells and a high -tech treatment plant could
be located at current sanitation or water district facilities in Fountain Valley.
Q: What project schedule is under consideration?
A: The environmental study is scheduled to be complete early in 1999. The water
and sanitation districts might vote on the proposed system in 1999. If
approved, design would begin that year. Phase I would be in operation by
2003, producing 50,000 acre -feet per year. Phase II would become operational
in 2010, increasing production to 75,000 acre -feet per year. 'The final phase
would be in operation by 2020, resulting in total production of 100,000 acre -feet
per year, or two- thirds of the additional water needed to meet the area's
projected demand.
Q: How much would it cost?
A: The total proposed cost to build the Groundwater Replenishment System is
estimated between $350 million to $400 million over 20 years for all three
phases.
Q: Would the water it produces be safe?
A: Yes. Not only would purified water intended for drinking percolate into the
groundwater following the same natural filtering path rainwater would take, it
also would be treated with the most advanced technologies available.
Most people already drink some reclaimed water that has been blended into
drinking water supplies in a variety of ways. Orange County and other
communities inject reclaimed water into seawater intrusion barriers, where it
blends with groundwater. The groundwater is then pumped out and piped to
homes and businesses. In areas of Los Angeles County, and many areas
throughout the country, reclaimed water has been used to recharge the
groundwater basin for decades and San Diego County is embarking on a state -
approved project to put treated water directly into its reservoirs.
A RAND epidemiologic study conducted from 1987 to 1991 in Los Angeles
County found no notable difference in health effects between people living in
areas where reclaimed water was consumed and those who did not consume
reclaimed water. The study was initiated nearly three decades after water
officials first began recharging the groundwater with reclaimed water.
0
Groundwater Replenishment System
Q&A
Page 3 of 4
Q: What advanced treatment process would be used?
A: The water would be purified using microfiltration, reverse osmosis and
purification techniques.
The first process is microfiltration. It works like a screen that is large enough to
allow small water molecules to pass through, but small enough to stop particles
and bacteria. The next, and most widely known, is reverse osmosis. Water is
directed under pressure through a Win membrane that allows only water
molecules to pass through, eliminating salts, viruses and pesticides. The third
stage of the water- treatment process is purification, which kills any remaining
germs and ensures high quality water.
Q: Who would ensure this process was safe?
A: In order for the Groundwater Replenishment System to proceed, it must be
reviewed and evaluated by more than a dozen federal, state and local agencies
responsible for protecting the environment, public health and water quality.
Also, an advisory committee composed of environmental groups, business
leaders and citizens would scrutinize the proposed system.
Q: How would the Groundwater Replenishment System help in a drought?
A: Southern Californians are all too familiar with the reality of droughts and the
extreme pressure they can exert on an already strained water supply. In order
to minimize the effects of droughts in the future, the Groundwater
Replenishment System would help keep underground water basins filled. The
Groundwater Replenishment System would act as a countermeasure against
droughts, providing Orange County with a plentiful supply of pure, clean water.
It would also ease regional needs, especially important in a drought.
Q: What effect might the project have on water rates?
A: Water officials expect water bills to rise because the county's growing
population will require more water. Replenishing Orange County's groundwater
basin might be the most cost - effective solution to county water demand, since
additional water purchased from outside agencies is expected to become less
available and even more costly. An independent rate study is currently being
conducted and the Groundwater Replenishment System's impact on water
rates will be a factor in any decision to proceed.
Q: How will the public be consulted on this decision?
A: . The public will be consulted during the approval process through a series of
public hearings during the year -long environmental analysis. The public also
Groundwater Replenishment System
Q&A
Page 4 of 4
will be represented through the efforts of an advisory committee composed of
environmental groups, business leaders and citizens, which will evaluate the
project. In addition, 40 elected officials representing the effected cities will be
involved in the approval process. Public input is considered vital to the success
of the project.
Q: Who can provide more information?
A: For more information, contact Tama Snow, Senior Project Engineer or Ron
Wildermuth, Public Affairs at the Orange County Water District, (714) 378 -3200
or Michelle Tuchman, Director of Communications at the Orange County
Sanitation District, at (714) 962 -2411.
40
0
0
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM
A joint effort of the Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District
WHEREAS, within the next 20 years, Orange County will have a water shortage of 150,000
acre -feet, the amount of water needed for 300,000 families; and
WHEREAS, the northern portion of the county obtains 75 percent of its drinking water from the
county's vast groundwater basin, and the other 25 percent from imported sources, such as the
Colorado River and northern California; and
WHEREAS, current and future water policy threaten to limit the availability of future imported
water; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation
District (OCSD) have found a cost - effective solution to predicted future water shortages and are
. sponsoring a proposed supplemental water purification project, known as the Groundwater
Replenishment System, that could each year provide up to 200,000 north - central Orange County
families with a new source of safe, reliable, high quality water; and
WHEREAS, the Groundwater Replenishment System v✓ould take highly treated wastewater from
the Orange County Sanitation District that is currently sent to the ocean, purify it to near distilled
water quality through 100 percent reverse osmosis, microfiltration and ultraviolet disinfection
technologies, and then use it for a seawater intrusion barrier and to percolate it through the
ground into the Orange County groundwater basin; and
WHEREAS, Groundwater Replenishment System water would be of such high - quality that it
will improve the quality of the County's overall drinking; water supply by reducing the salinity of
aquifers; and
WHEREAS, to produce water from the Groundwater Replenishment System, it will take one -half
the energy currently required to bring imported water to Orange County, making it much more
environmentally friendly and energy efficient; and
WHEREAS, Groundwater Replenishment System water can be used for multiple purposes
including household, landscaping, industrial and for prevention of sea water intrusion; and
WHEREAS, Groundwater Replenishment System water will be available regardless of rainfall
levels or drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District are
recognized as innovative leaders in water reuse — be it
RESOLVED, that does hereby SUPPORT the Groundwater
Replenishment System and the efforts of the Orange County Water District and Orange County
Sanitation District to identify and develop alternative sources for safe, reliable water supplies for
Orange County.
(Signature of Officer) (:Date)
•
Groundwater
400 Replenishment System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 1999
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ron Wildenmuth, (714) 378 -3351, 7141904 -4043 (cell)
Jennifer Greenlief, (714) 378 -3206, 7141785 -0599 (cell)
Michelle Tuchman, Orange County Sanitation District, (714) 593 -7120
$1.5 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDING APPROVED BY HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEE FOR GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM
Funding may Provide Water for 200,000 Orange County Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Ron Packard (R- Oceanside), Chairman of the House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, announced today that his panel has
approved federal funds for several local water and flood control projects, including $1.5 million
toward the Groundwater Replenishment System, a new water purification project being
proposed jointly by the Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District.
"This is clearly one of the most important bills we will pass for Orange County and southern
California all year," said Packard. "So much of what happens in our community revolves
around water."
The proposed Groundwater Replenishment System would provide Orange County with a new
source of purified water that could serve 200,000 families each year. The System would take
highly treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District and purify it to near
distilled water quality through 100% reverse osmosis, microfiltration and ultraviolet disinfection
technologies. The water will then be injected into the county's vast groundwater basin, where it
will percolate through the ground into deep underground aquifers- GWR System water will also
be injected along the coast to prevent seawater intrusion into the groundwater basin.
-more-
wrr:.G,,.. ::'Rc "eOriM a."W, Wall - J'S1m: On41hf Jr-IfV i.wim Swwmv, [115Pr(1
[q.• Aw. - F;r.c z;: r• t..l�c� �aldo ^,rr c.. _.,rl,
$1.5 Million Federal Funding Approved for Groundwater Replenishment ,System...
Page 2 is
The full house appropriations committee is expected to approve the bill Tuesday, according to
Congressman Packard's office. The bill could be on the house floor within the next two weeks.
The Groundwater Replenishment System will be located on the joint water campus of the
Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District in Fountain Valley,
Calif.
For more information on the Groundwater Replenishment System, visit www.cicwd.com.
E
0
Groundwater
1.w Replenishment System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 1999
For further information contact:
Ron Wilderrnuth, 714/378 - 3351(714/904 -4043 cell)
Jennifer Greenlief, 714/378 -3206 (714/785 -0599 cell)
Michelle Tuchman, Orange County Sanitation District, 714/593 -7120
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
PHASE OF GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM
$4.8 Million Joint Contract is Largest of its Kind in OCWD History
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange
County Sanitation District (OCSD) announced today that they have awarded a $4.8
million contract to an engineering and scientific team for work on a proposed water
purification project, known as the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System. The joint
contract is the largest of its kind in OCWD's history.
The team, led by Camp Dresser McKee Inc. (CDM) of Irvine, Calif., will handle the
project development phase of the GWR System, a project that would provide up to
200,000 Orange County families with a new sours: of drinking water. The project
development team also includes Brown and Caldwell and ASL Engineering, both located
in Irvine, Calif.
CDM's scope of work includes determining the location of wells and pipelines so that
right -of -ways and permits can be secured; determining power issues, so that power
purchase contracts can be negotiated; refining cost data; preparing material and
construction specifications; and preparing building renderings.
0 -more-
pmn 1./.`r• n' ;in ,'nm1f� (OUm) Wow Dm m.; m,1. tin Dump Qmmr So ntitum Dema
i'E.. >;aI ;05069111. Aw.1"t ^ou•',:;:r V;d;t If,,- !4: °i'pf
0
OCWD Awards Project Development Contract...
Page 2
In addition, CDM will handle the preliminary design of seawater intrusion barrier wells
and facilities, advanced water treatment facilities, pumping facilities and a pipeline along
the Santa Ana River.
The Groundwater Replenishment System would take highly treated wastewater from the
Orange County Sanitation District and purify it to near distilled water quality through
100% reverse osmosis, microfiltration and ultraviolet disinfection technologies. The
water will then be injected into the county's vast groundwater basin, where it will
percolate through the ground into deep underground aquifers. GWR System water will
also be used to prevent seawater intrusion into the county's groundwater basin.
CDM has worked on similar projects worldwide, including projects for both the Orange
County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District.
CDM is a full- service consulting, engineering, construction and operations firm
specializing in drinking water, water resources and wastewater with more than 90 offices
worldwide including Irvine, Calif.
For more information on the Groundwater Replenishment System visit www.ocwd.com.
# ## 0