Innovative Solutions for Water and the Environment
Water Recycling Vision Water Recycling Vision for the Bay Areafor the Bay Area
Bay Area Council Bay Area Council Water Policy CommitteeWater Policy Committee
May 14, 2008May 14, 2008
Presentation Summary Presentation Summary
• Bay Area Needs Reliable Water
• Sustainability = Multiple Sources
• Importance of Recycled Water
• Near-Term Approach: Maximize
Local Water Recycling
• Long-Term Approach: Export Excess
Recycled Water to Agricultural Uses
• Possible Next Steps
Long-Term Reliability of Bay Area Long-Term Reliability of Bay Area Water???Water???
Drought ● Global Warming ● Environmental Protection
• Southern California is in a drought 50 percent of the time 2007 was the driest year on record in Southern California
• Northern California is in a drought 25 percent of the time Spring of 2008 was the driest on record in Northern California
Long-Term Reliability of Bay Area Long-Term Reliability of Bay Area Water???Water???
Bay Area Drought VulnerabilityBay Area Drought Vulnerability
Source: Bay Area IRWMP
Delivery
Shortage
Alternative Sources of WaterAlternative Sources of Water
Conservation ● Groundwater ● Desalination
+ Recycled Water+ Recycled Water
Conservation Efforts Have Been Conservation Efforts Have Been Effective Effective
Source: Bay Area IRWMP
Population has increased
Water use has remained steady
Sustainable Water Management Sustainable Water Management ApproachApproach
Imported SupplyImported Supply
GroundwaterGroundwater
Local WatershedLocal Watershed
Recycled WaterRecycled Water
Pie chart is for illustration purposes only
ConservationConservationand Otherand Other
DesalinationDesalination
What is Recycled Water?What is Recycled Water?
• It is a highly treated, highly regulated supply
• It is used for:
Landscape irrigation
Ag irrigation
Toilet flushing
Industrial cooling
Groundwater recharge
Current Recycled Water Use is Current Recycled Water Use is SignificantSignificant
Urban Reuse
Ag Reuse
Indirect PotableReuse
2008 Bay Area RW Use = approx. 50,000 AFY
Future Potential Use is Even Future Potential Use is Even GreaterGreater
Urban Reuse
= 120,000 AFY
Future Potential Use is Even Future Potential Use is Even GreaterGreater
Ag Reuse
= 500,000 AFY
Total Long-Term Potential Supply > 600,000 AFY
Recycling Potential Exceeds Other Recycling Potential Exceeds Other OptionsOptions
Project Water Supply Benefits
Bay Area Water Recycling Potential
620,000 AFY
CALFED Storage Projects
Shasta: Raising Dam 7 – 19 feet
75,000 – 150,000 AFY
Los Vaqueros: Raising Dam 100 – 170 feet
100,000 – 300,000 AFY
In-Delta Storage Projects
120,000 AFY
Near-Term Approach: Near-Term Approach: Maximize Local Water RecyclingMaximize Local Water Recycling
CCWD
Zone 7
SCVWD
SFPUC
ACWD
EBMUDMarin
NSD
SVCVAL
BEN
FS
Bay Area Water and Wastewater Agencies Need to Jointly and Aggressively Implement Recycled Water Projects
Near-Term Approach: Near-Term Approach: Maximize Local Water RecyclingMaximize Local Water Recycling
• Incentivize water agencies—eliminate “use it or lose it” wholesale contracts
• Incentivize wastewater agencies—develop pollutant trading credits
• Obtain funding for separate distribution systems State/federal funding for backbone infrastructure Developer funding—dual plumbing ordinances
• Conduct public education to maximize acceptance
Innovative Water Exchanges Should Innovative Water Exchanges Should Be PursuedBe Pursued
w/Recycled Water Opportunities
w/Water Supply Needs
Innovative Water Exchanges Should Innovative Water Exchanges Should Be PursuedBe Pursued
BayArea
San JoaquinValley
Napa/Sonoma
MontereyBay
Storage
Delta-MendotaCanal
Long-Term Approach: Long-Term Approach: Export Excess Recycled Water to Export Excess Recycled Water to Ag UsesAg Uses
Benefits of Bay Area Water Benefits of Bay Area Water RecyclingRecycling
ReducesBay Discharges
Helps Preserve Delta Flow
Helps Increase Stream Flows
Provides Drought Insurance
Preserves Open Spaces
Reduces Seawater Intrusion
Helps Reduce Global Warming
Possible Next StepsPossible Next Steps
• Form recycled water JPA – need water and wastewater agencies working together to make local recycling really happen
• Increase efforts to secure outside funding – recent Miller bill was a good start
• Increase public outreach – need regional approach with consistent messages
• Re-assess feasibility of export to Delta Mendota Canal in light of global warming and other issues
Innovative Solutions for Water and the Environment
Questions and Questions and AnswersAnswers
Randy [email protected]
(415) 321-3411
