Advanced Water Treatment Plant Project To Explore New Source Of Water

Biwater to provide indirect potable reuse solution for Padre Dam Municipal Water District in California

In an effort to diversify its water supply, while also reducing its dependency on imported water, Padre Dam Municipal Water District is embarking on an advanced water treatment plant project to explore a new source of water in Santee, California.

A demonstration project – funded by a grant – will result in the construction and installation of a indirect potable reuse facility, utilizing advanced water purification technologies. The treatment process will include: chlorine disinfection, coagulation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation.

Biwater will provide a complete turnkey design, and supply and commission all process, mechanical, electrical and control components for the plant.

The project is to include: Field pumps, a chlorine contactor, chemical dosing systems, ultrafiltration system, reverse osmosis system, advanced oxidation process system (using ultraviolet light (UV) and oxidation), programmable logic controller (PLC) and instrumentation, motor control centres and electrical panels.

Biwater was chosen for its ability to supply a fully integrated system on a fast-track delivery.

The new facility will treat secondary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant in the District, and the treated water will be used for demonstration and testing purposes, to ensure it meets or exceeds the California Public Health Department’s draft regulations.

“This innovative project will see the Padre Dam District set new benchmarks for water reuse, and enable it to create a reliable source of water, underpinning East San Diego County’s economy and future prosperity,” said Jorg Menningmann, President, Biwater Desalination and Membrane Treatment Sector.

Following commissioning, the demonstration project will run for a period of one year. In parallel, studies will continue to assess the capacity of Santee basin aquifer and the feasibility of extending the project beyond the demonstration and testing period, to serve a larger customer base in California.

After the testing period, the District hopes to be able to expand the facility, to construct a full-scale plant to provide up to 10 million gallons per day (US) of treated water with indirect potable reuse potential. With the necessary approvals to proceed, treated water would be injected into the local groundwater basin. It would undergo natural filtration, be withdrawn, treated again, and then distributed as potable water to customers.

About Biwater
Biwater provides large-scale water and wastewater solutions for clients across the world. Since its inception in 1968, Biwater has gained recognition for its innovative approaches aimed at overcoming the world’s most pressing water-related challenges. Throughout its history, the company has grown to meet the demands of many water-stressed countries and their burgeoning populations. It has a successful record of accomplishment, having completed over 25,000 projects in over 90 countries – financing, consulting, process engineering, designing, constructing, operating, maintaining and owning water facilities – in both rural and urban environments.

Membrane Treatment and Desalination Sector:
Biwater’s Membrane Treatment and Desalination Sector is a premier membrane system designer and supplier producing high purity drinking, process and reuse water for both municipal and industrial clients. The Group currently has more than 450 MGD of installed membrane treatment capacity globally utilizing MF, UF, MBR, NF and RO technologies. For more information, visit biwater.com