Anonymous
From left: Diane Gabriel, Carrie Poytress, Tom Bollay, Jeff Kerns, Adam Kanold, Brian Goebel, Floyd Wicks
Source: Montecito Water District
A Recycled Water Feasibility Study completed at the end of 2018 identified potentially viable water reuse projects involving Montecito Water District (MWD) and Montecito Sanitary District (MSD). The Districts are currently collaborating to determine the best approach for the community.
- MWD & MSD have held four joint committee meetings regarding the implementation of water reuse since the beginning of 2019. Participants are MWD Directors Floyd Wicks and Brian Goebel, MSD Directors Tom Bollay and Jeff Kerns, and staff from both agencies.
- Water reuse options being pursued involve different treatment levels and different end-uses, and can be summarized as follows:
Landscape Irrigation (Purple pipe): Treating wastewater for use in irrigation is a well-established practice. Costs and regulations governing the distribution and application of recycled water make it appropriate for large-scale commercial and institutional applications, not residential users. End-users are targeted to be those with significant irrigation needs, such as cemeteries, large hotels, and golf courses in the community of Montecito. This was the recommended option of the engineering firm who completed the Feasibility Study for MWD.
Groundwater Injection: Wastewater can receive advanced treatment and be used to augment groundwater supplies. Data collection is required to determine if injection is feasible in the Montecito groundwater basins.
- Two actions supporting water reuse are in progress and scheduled for completion in the next few months:
- A Pilot Project to produce a small volume of irrigation water and to provide data on operations and costs.
- A Groundwater Augmentation Feasibility Analysis to provide information on the Montecito groundwater basin’s ability to receive injection of recycled water.
For more information on the Recycled Water Feasibility Plan go to: www.montecitowater.com/doc/5346/
The joint committee’s next meeting will be on July 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the Montecito Water District located at 583 San Ysidro Road. The public is encouraged to attend.
