The Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA), like many other agencies in California, is studying ways to fully reuse its wastewater. Under the planned scenario, recycled water will be further purified using advanced treatment processes. This water would then percolate or filter through the soil naturally into the aquifer, just like rainwater. This process "recharges" or helps replenish the aquifer while safeguarding the water quality from seawater intrusion. Click here for a fact sheet providing a more detailed overview of all of MRWPCA's water projects.
In California (as well as other parts of the country and the world) water supplies are being stretched to the limit. The Monterey region is dealing with an adjudicated water basin and limited water supplies, stricter environmental constraints, and periodic droughts that will curtail unlimited use of our water supplies. Conserving and reusing this water resource instead of disposing of it in the ocean is efficient and provides a long term, sustainable water supply for our communities.
A groundwater replenishment system would create a reliable, locally produced, ultra-pure water supply. In addition, this strictly regulated water supply would allow us to limit wastewater discharge into the delicate Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Click here for a more detailed explanation of the benefits of groundwater replenishment.
Groundwater replenishment is used in many places around the world. As an example, Orange County California has operated a groundwater replenishment project since 1971. In this case, highly treated recycled water is used to prevent seawater intrusion into its aquifer by recharging it. Other communities include Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Las Vegas, Nevada and Scottsdale, Arizona. For a complete list and links to other groundwater replenishment projects click here.
The California Department of Health Services is charged with the responsibility for establishing uniform statewide reclamation criteria to ensure that the use of recycled water will not be detrimental to public health.
The groundwater replenishment project proposed by MRWPCA would take recycled water and put it through an additional three-step process of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet disinfection and hydrogen peroxide treatment. This process will make the water near distilled quality and exceeds all drinking water standards. Click here for a more information about MRWPCA treatment processes.
The quality of water produced by a groundwater replenishment system creates ultra-pure water. By adding this water into the groundwater it will, over time, increase the quality of the water.