FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2005
For more information contact:
Maria Mariscal, WateReuse Association, California Section
(858) 522-6600
WATEREUSE ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA SECTION
NAMES ITS 2005 AWARD WINNERS
Presented by the WateReuse Association California Section
SAN DIEGO, CA - The California Section of the WateReuse Association presented recognition awards to five deserving water recycling advocates at its Third Annual Conference titled "Water Recycling: Realizing California's Potential," held February 27 through March 1, 2005 in San Diego, California. The five award winners were announced during the Monday, February 28 luncheon.
In the category of Recycled Water Customer of the year, the City of Inglewood, California, was recognized for its commitment to maximize the use of recycled water within the City for non-potable purposes. By partnering with the West Basin Municipal Water District, Iglewood became the first city in California to use recycled water for street sweeping and sewer flushing, as well as landscape irrigation. Inglewood is currently using 645 acre-feet a year (AFY) of recycled water and will be expanding its program. An acre-foot of water is equal to 325,900 gallons, enough water for two families of four for one year.
The Olivenhain Municipal Water District located in Encinitas, CA earned the award for Recycled Water Agency of the Year (beneficial reuse up to 750 AFY). Olivenhain has taken great strides to conserve and protect the potable water supply necessary to meet its customer's water needs. Production and distribution of recycled water is a critical aspect of the services provided by Olivenhain. Through dedication, proper planning, and resource management, Olivenhain has been able to secure reliable, locally produced recycled water. Olivenhain continues to identify additional opportunities to provide its customers with recycled water to meet their non-potable needs. Olivenhain has partnered with other local agencies, the Rancho Santa Fe Community Services District, the Vallecitos Water District, and the City of San Diego, to purchase recycled water that they produce.
Recipient of the Recycled Water Agency of the Year Award (beneficial reuse greater than 750 AFY) is the El Dorado Irrigation District. El Dorado is an aggressive purveyor of recycled water for residential, commercial, street median, park, school, and golf course irrigation. In addition, El Dorado has plans to expand recycled water use in their service are by irrigating the front and backyard landscapes of approximately 8,000 to 9,000 new homes with recycled water. The use of recycled water for front and backyard landscape irrigation was pioneered by El Dorado beginning in 1998. El Dorado currently produces 2,500 AFY for irrigation purposes, and plans to supply more than 7,000 AF of recycled water by 2010.
The Recycled Water Advocate of the Year award for individual merit was presented to Ms. Margaret Nellor from the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLAC). Ms. Nellor was recognized for her ongoing efforts in promoting recycled water use. Among her many accomplishments, she managed and coauthored a recycled water health effects study in the early eighties. This landmark work has had such an impact on the field that two decades after its initial publication, the report is still widely cited and serves as the benchmark study for recharge impacts on groundwater quality worldwide. Dr. Steve Carr of the CSDLAC's Water Quality Laboratory stated, "Margaret Nellor has been, and continues to be, one of the staunchest promoters of water reuse. Her contribution to the field is unmatched, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of this token of gratitude and peer recognition.
The award for the Recycled Water Public Education/Community Outreach Program was presented to the Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District for their joint outreach efforts for their Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System. The GWR System is an innovative Advanced Water Purification Facility that will ultimately produce 70 mgd of water. The GWR System is critical for Orange County, which is expected to experience a population increase of 200,000 people by the year 2020, making the demand for water surpass existing supplies. Through the Districts' commitment to public outreach and communication programs, Orange County residents and businesses know the critical nature of this project to their future. The programs target age groups ranging from elementary school children to senior citizens, and also reaches out to specific interest groups within Orange County. These interest groups include the business, health, medical and environmental communities, universities, multi-cultural groups, community groups, as well as elected officials.
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The WateReuse Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help its members create new sources of high quality water through water reuse, which is also referred to as water reclamation and water recycling. Across the United States and the world, communities are facing water supply challenges due to increasing demand, drought, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and dependence on a single source of supply. Water reuse helps communities address these challenges.