Padre Dam Municipal Water District hosted the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board’s December meeting, including panel discussion on A Pathway to Sustainable Water Supply. Padre Dam’s general manager Allen Carlisle was one of the panelists who discussed the benefits of converting wastewater currently being discharged into the ocean into a high quality, reliable drinking water supply.
Other panelists included State Senator Robert Hertzberg, Toby Roy from the San Diego County Water Authority, John Helminski from the city of San Diego, Betty Burnett from South Orange County Wastewater Authority and Dr. Shane Trussell, P.E. of Trussell Technologies. The panel discussed and answered board questions regarding environmental benefits, energy needs, cost balancing and regulation challenges. Board members and attending members of the public were offered a guided tour of Padre Dam’s Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Facility after the panel discussion.
The San Diego board responded positively to the panel members and requested written comments from the agencies on what assistance the board may offer to help move sustainable water projects forward.
“Padre Dam was pleased to host the San Diego Water Board and participate in the sustainable water supplies panel. Our Advanced Water Purification Program will provide a new local, sustainable water supply delivering up to 30% of our drinking water supply," Carlisle said. "This panel provided a great venue for Padre Dam and other agencies to discuss future projects and the elements necessary to make these projects successful. We look forward to continuing our discussions with the Regional Board and working together to ensure a sustainable water supply future for East County.”
Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
