An important new project in development as part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit process for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWTP) could potentially:
- Save 36,500,000,000 gallons of treated wastewater per year from discharge into the Pacific Ocean through the PLWTP,
- Divert that wastewater to new recycling facilities around San Diego region for treatment up to indirect potable reuse (IPR) or potable direct reuse (PDR) standards for our use,
- Improve ocean water quality,
- Create a valuable commodity in the form of potable recycled water to solve our problem of water scarcity,
- Decrease our dependence on water from Northern California, and
- Increase our regional water supply in the face of dwindling reservoirs due to our ongoing drought conditions amid increasing regional demands for water.
Just how bad are the current drought conditions? Meteorologists say that there is a 77% chance that Winter 2014 is going to be our third straight year of drought. California lawmakers have requested that Governor Jerry Brown and President Barack Obama declare a state of drought emergency and federal disaster because of our drought.
Yes, water is that scarce in California. It’s a very serious problem that requires our immediate attention as one of the highest priorities, if not the highest priority, in our San Diego region.
I’m proud to serve the public with outstanding professionals on the Metropolitan Wastewater Joint Powers Authority (Metro JPA) in three capacities. I serve as:
- Coronado’s Commissioner on the Metro JPA,
- Chairwoman of the Metro JPA Finance Committee, and
- Steering Committee Member for the part of the NPDES Permit process which includes cooperation with the city of San Diego on this important water project about which you need to know.
You can read more of the facts on this important issue in the full article at www.dailycoronado.com by clicking here.
If you have any questions, I’ll be pleased to answer them at 619-322-2637 or [email protected].
