President's Message - Future of Water Reuse in California

Last month, I had the pleasure of participating on a panel to discuss the future of water reuse in California. It was a Zócalo Public Square event co-presented by Occidental College and held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. My fellow panelists included Ron Wildermuth, public information and conservation manager of the West Basin Municipal Water District; Scott Slater, president and CEO of Cadiz Inc., a company that plans to capture groundwater in eastern San Bernardino County and sell it to Southern California cities; and Sarah Woolf, president of the water management company Water Wise, who also works in her family's San Joaquin Valley farm business. The audience was a diverse group of more than 150 people from Los Angeles and Orange counties who came to hear about possible solutions to reoccurring droughts in Southern California.

We discussed the demands of water in the state and how each demand has valid points. Then, we had the opportunity to discuss the many advances in technology to meet those water demands, such as OCWD's Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). While water reuse is drought resilient, cost effective and environmentally safe, we still have to look for other ways to become more self-sufficient in light of drought conditions and the challenges of procuring cost-effective and reliable water. Some of those options include water-use efficiency, desalination and water transfers.

At the Zócalo event, we talked about the need to diversify our water portfolios and the challenges and politics that come along with trying to do something new and different, such as exploring the science and technology of desalination that is used in other parts of the world. It may or may not be a viable option for all coastal communities, but water leaders must be open and receptive to exploring it and other water supply options. Fifteen years ago, people were adamantly opposed to water reuse. Fast forward to 2014. It is widely accepted and proven as a safe water supply, and advances in technology have made it economical and more energy efficient.

While I am very pleased Zócalo and other media outlets have taken a greater interest in putting the spotlight on water reuse, I am still disappointed and concerned that the media still chooses to use phrases like "toilet to tap" and "yuck factor" when trying to draw viewers to their stories. I understand the need to capture the audiences' attention amidst so much competing media outlets, but, unfortunately, it lends to some people fixating on the water source rather than the exceptional quality of the end product, making our jobs as water planners more difficult to get communities to support water reuse.

When Zócalo was promoting the event, it chose to use a toilet image and even, dare I say, use the word "urine". After sharing with them our concerns and hearing the panel, I am pleased and relieved to know that their recap of the event has a softer title: "What Drought? California Has Plenty of Water. Looking to a Future Where We Drink More Wastewater and Ocean Water - Treated, Of Course." It could still use some work, but it is a step in the right direction. Its journalists were open and receptive to learning about water reuse and now have a better understanding about how their choice of words can help make or break future water reuse projects in Los Angeles and around the world. They also challenged us to come up with a better headline to help journalists draw people into wanting to read more about water reuse ...and water projects in general.

I learned a lot from Zócalo's engaging style of journalism, which is part of a project of the Center for Social Cohesion at Arizona State University, my alma mater. I was impressed by the live event, driven by social media promotion, that wasn't a bunch of talking heads touting their projects. In a unique social setting, the event was moderator-driven with great questions from Sierra Magazine Editor-in-Chief and Occidental College Adjunct Professor Bob Sipchen and the audience. To learn more about Zócalo Public Square's water series or to view the panel discussion, please visit What Drought? California Has Plenty of Water.

Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Video Features Assemblymember Travis Allen

Last month we shared with you information about OCWD receiving the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for pioneering work in groundwater management and water reclamation, using advanced water reuse technologies, and for our outreach efforts. This month, we're happy to provide the introduction video of the 2014 Prize. A special thank you goes out to Assemblymember Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) who opens the video with congratulatory remarks. OCWD truly appreciates his kind words and support of its projects.

GWRS Back Online

OCWD staff has concluded inspection of the interior of the Groundwater Replenishment System final product water pipeline, and repair work is now complete.

Having the GWRS offline for 21 days was part of the GWRS Initial Expansion construction project that will provide 30 million more gallons of water per day (from 70 million gallons per day currently to 100 million gallons per day) to OCWD's groundwater basin by spring 2015.

While the plant was offline, OCWD staff, with the help of a general contractor, was able to perform a thorough inspection of the GWRS pipeline. Most of the GWRS pipeline had never been inspected since it was first constructed more than six years ago. In order to properly check the pipeline for signs of degradation of its internal lining, staff had to make an entry into the pipeline at several locations. This required participation from several OCWD departments including engineering, maintenance, instrumentation and electrical, operations, and most importantly the barrier operations group.

In addition, while the plant was offline the GWRS Initial Expansion contractor was able to tie in all major piping required to provide water to the new treatment equipment. This work also required a huge effort by OCWD staff from several departments to safely prepare the plant's piping and electrical systems for the contractor's employees to perform their required work.

During the 21-day offline period, OCWD staff was able to perform many preventative maintenance activities and install 2,100 new membrane elements in two of the 15 reverse osmosis units. Finally, a large, several-day effort was required to bring the plant and pipeline back online. The plant had never been down for this long so the restart was complex, requiring close coordination with the Orange County Sanitation District, OCWD's partner in the construction of the GWRS.

"The GWRS pipeline inspection work and the effort to allow the initial expansion contractor to complete work would not have been successfully achieved without the dedication of the OCWD staff. I'd like to thank them for their tireless effort," says GWRS Program Manager Mehul Patel.

Measuring Groundwater Levels - A United Effort

OCWD manages the groundwater basin that provides reliable, high-quality water to 19 special and municipal water districts that serve 2.4 million customers in north and central Orange County.

Groundwater levels are measured in wells throughout the Basin during the last week of June and first week of July of every year. OCWD does this to ensure we have representative groundwater conditions at the end of the water year (June 30). It takes a special coordinated effort across multiple departments (Hydrogeology, Water Quality, and Barrier Operations) to coordinate and carry out these field measurements—all within a two-week window. In addition, groundwater producers measure water levels for their own production wells and report them to OCWD.

Why do we do this?

We do this to determine the amount of groundwater in storage as well as the change in groundwater storage from the prior water year. The groundwater storage calculations provide the technical basis for basin management decisions each year, such as setting the Basin Production Percentage (BPP) and determining the amount of replenishment water to purchase, thus allowing the District to sustainably manage the Basin over the long term.

Environmental Specialist Patrick Hollinden (standing) and Senior Environmental Technician Jim Caver measure groundwater levels at one of 329 wells.

Setting BPP for Water Year 2014-2015

OCWD has established a BPP of 72 percent, which would provide for about 326,000 acre-feet of groundwater pumping during the fiscal year (FY) 2014-15.

History of BPP
Faced with the county's population explosion during the 1960s, OCWD saw the need for District water retailers (Producers) to supplement their groundwater extractions with direct purchase of imported supplies. In 1968, the District Act was amended to give OCWD the authority to issue incentives to Producers for precisely that purpose.

The District's Board of Directors began setting an annual Basin Production Percentage, specifying the proportion of total demand to be produced from the basin during the year. In conjunction with this, the Board established an annual basin equity assessment (BEA) to reward pumpers who extracted less and penalize those who took more than the Board requested.

So, if you live in north or central Orange County, this year, 72 percent of your water supply will be local from the groundwater basin, with an additional 28 percent coming from Northern California and the Colorado River.

Wehner Chairs Foundation Teleconference

Assistant General Manager Mike Wehner recently chaired the teleconference of the Tailored Collaboration Review Committee for the Water Research Foundation (WRF). The committee is responsible for reviewing and approving funding for collaborative project proposals that serve the water industry. The Water Research Foundation, each year, funds $1 million in projects. Tailored Collaboration candidates must be utility subscribers and must match the funds received, which can be upwards to $100,000. OCWD has been a past recipient of WRF awards and District staff has been involved in numerous projects of interest to OCWD that have received funding.

Mike and his committee approved a project that seeks to determine the most efficient methods to disinfect water using ozone and to minimize unanticipated consequences of the processes. The project is supported by several utilities in the U.S. and Canada, including Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Mike, as chair, is serving his sixth and final year as a Tailored Collaboration Review Committee member. District Research, Operations and Water Quality staff members have, additionally, served on WRF project advisory committees through the years. Many of OCWD's staff members are called upon to serve as expert panelists and speakers as part of other important research studies and conferences worldwide, as well.

"By serving with others in the spirit of collaboration, we serve the water industry at large," says Mike.

OCWD Staff Gets Behind-the-Scenes Look at Weymouth Water Treatment Plant

OCWD staff, led by Don Houlihan, supervisor of Recharge Operations, recently received an in-depth tour of Metropolitan Water District's (MWD) Weymouth Water Treatment Plant and its repair shops. MWD's repair facilities at Weymouth serve its entire Southern California system and are impressive in scale. Its pumping and hydraulic control systems are large and unique to it and other similar operators like the State Water Project. Because of their uniqueness and their need for sustainable operations, MWD has developed considerable in-house capability to manufacture and repair large water system components.

OCWD staff is constantly seeking opportunities to enhance the District's complex recharge system, which is recognized as a model for groundwater management. Staff found the tour very valuable and came away with good ideas on how it might improve its own fabrication and repair shops following MWD's example, albeit at a smaller scale.

OCWD's Ongoing Commitment to Ensure High-Quality Water

Senior Laboratory and Water Quality department staff members were among the hundreds of water utilities, laboratories, and government agencies learning the most recent updates about the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) for Public Water Systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water hosted the 8-hour webinar and public meeting at Arlington, Va., on June 25, 2014.

The purpose of the webinar was to update stakeholders on the progress of UCMR3 to date, and to communicate the planning process for UCMR4, which is expected to begin in 2017. OCWD's Water Quality Department and Lab are currently in the middle of the three-year monitoring and data entry phase of UCMR 3 (from 2013 to 2015), representing one of only three public agency laboratories in the nation implementing the full UCMR3 program.

The UCMR Program is mandated by the USEPA for large drinking water distribution systems and exists to further protect the public's health. It develops a list of contaminants every five years and collects occurrence data for suspected drinking water contaminants that don't have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information is then used to support future regulatory decision-making for the public's safety and supports the administrator's determination of whether (or not) to regulate a contaminant listed in the UCMR Program.

Out in the Community

Outreach at Fountain Valley's Summerfest - Public Affairs members staffed a booth at the annual Fountain Valley Summerfest in June to share information about OCWD's accomplishments, its O.C. Water Hero Program, facility tours, and about receiving this newsletter. Shown is OCWD Communications Specialist Crystal Nettles.

Presentation in Fullerton - General Manager Mike Markus, Chief Hydrogeologist Roy Herndon, and Senior Communications Specialist Diane Pinnick attended the City of Fullerton Council Meeting where Mike gave an update on the North Basin Groundwater Protection Plan to approximately 50 participants.

Presentation in Santa Ana - OCWD Director Vincent Sarmiento and Public Affairs staff attended the Delhi Association Meeting where Director Sarmiento (who is also a City of Santa Ana Councilmember) gave an update on the South Basin Groundwater Protection Plan in both English and in Spanish to about 30 participants.

In the News:

• Director of Water Production Bill Dunivin was interviewed for an article about the GWRS that will be featured in Treatment Plant Operator magazine.
• A reporter from KNX 1070 Newsradio interviewed GWRS Program Manager Mehul Patel about the Groundwater Replenishment System. The interview will be part of a larger segment scheduled to run in late July about California's drought called Running on Empty.

New Employees

Please join us in welcoming the following new employees for 2014:

	Hire Date
Vivian Lam, Accounting Intern	7/1/14
Eugene Chae, Chemist	6/23/14
Diane Pinnick, Senior Communications Specialist	6/16/14
Crystal Nettles, Communications Specialist	6/16/14
Raul Gonzalez, Regulatory & Water Production Intern	6/3/14
Andrew Espinosa, Warehouse Technician	5/21/14
Liliana Machuca, Temporary HR Clerk	4/23/14
Andrew Kwon, Environmental Health & Safety Intern	3/17/14
Andrew Grabow, R&D Field Intern	2/24/14

June Tours and Fiscal Year Tour Recap

During the fiscal year 2013-2014, the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) and the Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory continued to draw large numbers of guests from around the world. The District conducted 198 tours for nearly 3,432 guests.

OCWD was honored to host 139 tour attendees in June 2014. The following is a list of those tours: Two groups from Godinez High School, K-Water delegates from the Republic of Korea and Trojan UV staff members, City of Stanton Public Works Director Allan Rigg, San Bernardino College students, staff from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District with a visiting water resources engineer from Iran, and representatives from the Air & Waste Management Association.

Public tours of the Groundwater Replenishment System are offered at
10 a.m. on the first Friday of every month; reservations are required. Tours may be scheduled for other days of the week, depending on staff availability. To schedule a tour or to request more information, please contact Becky Mudd at (714) 378-3362 or bmudd@ocwd.com. To schedule a speaker, please contact Rose Wilke at (714) 378-3206 or rwilke@ocwd.com. You may also visit www.ocwd.com to schedule these activities online.

CONTACT US
www.ocwd.com
18700 Ward Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 378-3200
info@ocwd.com

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