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Opinion: California Must Move Forward With Water Projects

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Bill Diedrich

Prior to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State of the State speech, there is one item to examine that serves as a building block for all the issues the governor will address – water.

Despite unexpected storms in late 2021, California is braced for another year of drought.

The water we do have must move throughout the state by way of a complicated system of reservoirs, dams, canals, pipes and treatment plants. That movement is managed by an equally complicated network of federal, state and local officials.

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Proactive Pipeline Repair Maintains Water Supply Reliability, Affordability

/in , , /by /Water News Network Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall. The work is part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability.

Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic monitoring. This technology locates distressed sections of pipelines even while they are in use as part of the Water Authority’s high-tech asset management program.

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Successful Pipeline 4 Repair Saves San Diego County Ratepayers Money

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Tens of millions of gallons of water will soon be flowing again through a major pipeline in North San Diego County following a successful repair on Pipeline 4 near Bonsall. The repair is part of the Water Authority’s proactive approach and long-term commitment to maintaining regional water supply.

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Proactive Pipeline Repair Maintains Water Supply Reliability, Affordability

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The San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall. The work is part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability.

Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic monitoring. This technology locates distressed sections of pipelines even while they are in use as part of the Water Authority’s high-tech asset management program.

Further investigation prompted the Water Authority to prioritize repairs on a 48-foot-long section of pipeline. Water Authority staff are carefully monitoring the pipe section around the clock while preparing designs and identifying contractors that can quickly mobilize for repairs.

Water supply affordability

Plans are to shut down and drain that stretch of pipe starting March 1. Work to replace the pipeline segments will continue until the line is back in service approximately 10 days later.

“This repair highlights the value of strategic investments in money-saving asset management tools and training,” said Martin Coghill, a senior manager for operations and maintenance at the Water Authority. “By proactively identifying this problem spot, we prevented what could have been a major unplanned shutdown.”

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The San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall as part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability. Graphic: San Diego County Water Authority

Coordination, collaboration with member agencies

The Water Authority has been coordinating closely with retail water agencies in North County that rely on deliveries from Pipeline 4. Rainbow Municipal Water District, Fallbrook Public Utility District, City of Oceanside, Valley Center Municipal Water District, and Vallecitos Water District are preparing to continue water deliveries by other means to homes and businesses while Pipeline 4 is out of service.

Fortunately, while Pipeline 4 is shut down the Water Authority’s resilient system can deliver treated water to retail agency connections from multiple sources, including the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

P4 Repair-desalination-asset management-Bonsall

Fortunately, while Pipeline 4 is shut down the Water Authority’s resilient system can deliver treated water to retail agency connections from multiple sources, including the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Water Authority infrastructure repairs are funded by water ratepayers countywide. Regional investments in supply reliability ensure consistent and timely monitoring, maintenance, and repairs of the complex countywide water delivery system. Those investments, in turn, support San Diego’s regional economy and quality of life.

The Water Authority operates and maintains a water delivery system capable of delivering more than 900 million gallons of water per day through 310 miles of large-diameter pipeline, 1,600 aqueduct-related structures, and approximately 100 metering/flow control facilities. It also includes a state-of-the-art water treatment plant, hydroelectric facilities, pump stations, flow regulatory structures, and reservoirs that store water for emergencies and dry years.

Proactive asset management saves ratepayers money

As assets age, the Water Authority proactively replaces and repairs them to minimize impacts to member agencies and the public. Investments in the latest inspection technologies, including electromagnetic scanning, robotic inspections and 3D tunnel inspections help the Water Authority’s asset management team detect defects in pipelines and related facilities. By identifying corrosion or other types of deficiencies early, potential problems are corrected so they don’t become large and more costly issues.

Approximately 82 miles of the Water Authority’s pipelines are pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipes, also known as PCCP, that are made from a combination of steel and concrete. However, numerous catastrophic failures have occurred with these pipes worldwide in recent decades. In response, the Water Authority instituted a proactive program in 1991 to reinforce the pipelines with steel liners. To date, the Water Authority has relined 47 miles of PCCP.

(Editor’s note: The Rainbow Municipal Water District, Fallbrook Public Utility District, City of Oceanside, Valley Center Municipal Water District, and Vallecitos Water District are five of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

North County Water Delivery System Repairs Start March 1 in Bonsall

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The San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall as part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability.

Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic monitoring. This technology locates distressed sections of pipelines even while they are in use as part of the Water Authority’s high-tech asset management program.

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Opinion: Byzantine Water Laws Will Leave Californians High and Dry

/in , /by /Cal Mattersby Richard Frank and Holly Doremus

It’s been said that California is confronting a 21st century water crisis armed with 20th century infrastructure and 19th century laws. That’s indisputably true.

California’s water rights system was created in the latter half of the 1800s. It has changed surprisingly little since then. In a state that prides itself on environmental innovation, it’s alarming that California’s calcified water rights system is out of sync with current needs.

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EMWD Receives $4.5 Million Funding Authorization for Desalination Program

/in , , /by /Smart Water Magazine

Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) this month was awarded nearly $4.5 million by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to further expand EMWD’s groundwater desalination infrastructure.

EMWD has long been one of the most successful agencies in the nation at working with state and federal funding partners to secure external funding opportunities, helping to reduce the cost of infrastructure construction that would otherwise be paid for by customers.

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Opinion: Voter-Approved California Water Projects Are Making Progress

/in , , /by /The Mercury Timesby Teresa Alvarado and Matthew Swanson

In November 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1: The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act. The $7.5 billion bond dedicated $2.7 billion for the public benefits of new water-storage projects. Some ask, “Why have no new reservoirs been built in the seven years since?” Rest assured, there are projects in the works. All recently passed a key milestone and are moving forward.

Any large-scale water storage project is complex and requires a high degree of planning, engineering, coordination and significant financing. The California Water Commission has actively overseen the proposed projects over the past six years to help ensure they meet statutory requirements, progress at the rate dictated by the bond legislation and meet the public benefits promised to voters.

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Vallecitos Water District Wins Multiple Industry Awards

/in , , /by /Water News Network

The Vallecitos Water District received three awards from the California Water Environment Association on January 29. The Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility was named the 2021 Tertiary Recycled Water Plant of the Year, Matt Wiese received the “Operator of the Year” award and the District also received the Community Engagement and Outreach award for Best Use of Social Media.

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Multiple awards-Vallecitos Water District-Dawn McDougle, recently retired supervisor at the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility, and her successor, Matt Wiese. Photo: Vallecitos Water District multiple industry awards

Vallecitos Water District Wins Multiple Industry Awards

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The Vallecitos Water District received three awards from the California Water Environment Association on January 29. The Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility was named the 2021 Tertiary Recycled Water Plant of the Year, Matt Wiese received the “Operator of the Year” award and the District also received the Community Engagement and Outreach award for Best Use of Social Media.

Recycled Water Plant of the Year

The Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility was named the 2021 Tertiary Recycled Water Plant of the Year. This award recognizes accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant performance. It is the first year for this new award.

Vallecitos Water District owns and operates the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility, or MRF, in the City of Carlsbad. Through secondary and tertiary treatment at Meadowlark, VWD acts as a wholesale supplier of reclaimed water to the City of Carlsbad and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.

MRF is undertaking multiple projects to increase efficiencies and implement higher recycled water standards for the district’s two major customers. Additional projects include the planned installation of a Tesla Megapack Battery Energy Storage System as part of the district’s energy resiliency grant program.

See video of the 2021 Plant of the Year

Best Use of Social Media

The district won recognition for Community Engagement and Outreach for Best Use of Social Media, promoting awareness and understanding of water quality issues through social media campaigns.

Starting in 2019, VWD began using video to document the district’s workforce and infrastructure improvements on its social media platforms. The “Work We Do” series gives the public an opportunity to see crews providing the community with reliable drinking water and wastewater services, protecting the environment, and developing its skilled workforce.

The District also partnered with the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College, which uses the “Work We Do” series to educate students on careers in the water and wastewater industry.

“Work We Do”

Matt Wiese Named Operator of the Year

Matt Wiese received the “Operator of the Year” award for outstanding contributions to the operations of wastewater treatment facilities and the application of knowledge to improve plant processes.

As Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor at the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility, Wiese shares a wealth of instrumentation knowledge with Meadowlark staff. He mentors staff on proper procedures to troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventative maintenance on instrumentation, resulting in minimal downtime and emergency repairs.

Wiese also ensures training is up to date and completed, including hazardous materials training and drills in conjunction with North County Regional Fire Department Training.  His role in organizing and conducting the training has won statewide recognition for the Vallecitos Water District.

See more of Matt Wiese’s accomplishments in this video

“This is not the first award for the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility, and I am sure it will not be the last,” said Ed Pedrazzi, operations and maintenance manager for the Vallecitos Water District. “Outstanding professionals like Matt Wiese are why the treatment plant operates at peak efficiency every day. You will not find a more dedicated group of individuals protecting the environment and the public health than the team at Meadowlark.”

Wiese was recently promoted to the supervisor position at MRF due to the retirement of Dawn McDougle.

“I was happy to promote him to supervisor of the plant. He has earned it!” said Pedrazzi.

There are more than 20 CWEA award categories. Each one honors exceptional CWEA members and California wastewater professionals, facilities, and agencies. The program seeks to recognize outstanding achievements within the wastewater field, improve the professional status of all personnel working in the wastewater industry and related fields and stimulate public awareness of the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the water environment.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, and Carlsbad MWD, are three of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)