News
Brazil Looks to Local Agencies for Guidance in Water Management
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 10 March 2016:The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority (SEJPA) and Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) hosted delegates from Brazil, currently visiting California with the U.S. Department of State for ideas relative to energy and water policy, for a facilities tour on Tuesday, March 8.
A delegation of government officials and business l eaders from Brazil and the U.S. visit several facil ities in North County to discuss water issues and solutions.
Catherine S. Blakespear, Deputy Mayor of the City of Encinitas and Chair of the SEJPA Board of Directors (pictured fourth from the right), welcomed the delegates to San Diego North County. The delegation toured potable and reclaimed water facilities to tap into local agency experience in water
conservation, renewable energy, and alternative water supplies to identify solutions for water supply shortages in Brazil.
conservation, renewable energy, and alternative water supplies to identify solutions for water supply shortages in Brazil.
The tour included the San Elijo Water Reclamation Facility and OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility so the delegation could learn about water purification technologies, and its application for creating locally produced water. Delegates compared notes with staff on policies and practices relating to the provision of a safe, reliable, and high-quality water supply at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant and at OMWD’s David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant. DCMWTP’s zero liquid discharge and onsite sodium hypochlorite generation was of particular interest to the group, as was the Gutermann leak detection equipment demonstration at OMWD headquarters.
Stated OMWD’s General Manager, Kimberly Thorner, “OMWD has an established history of accepting delegations from other countries, and is proud to share its knowledge and experience in sustainable water technologies and water efficiency measures. We are grateful to Angelina Galiteva of the California ISO for inviting us to participate in this incredible opportunity.”
Brazilian participants included: Sergio Xavier, Pernambuco Secretary of Environment; Carmelo Bastos, Secretary of Technology and Innovation Representative; Roberto Tavares, President of Pernambuco Water and Sewage Agency; and Sparacus Pedrosa, Technological Institute Edson Mororo Moura. U.S. participants leading the delegation included: Paloma Gonzalez, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the US Consulate General in Recife, Brazil; and Angelina Galiteva, California Independent System Operator Corporation Board of Governors. OMWD representatives included: Kimberly Thorner,
General Manager; Joseph Randall, Customer Services Manager; Dave Smith, Operations Manager; Gabe Hernandez, Chief Plant Operator; Raymond Motas,
Reclamation Operator Level III; and Marcus Barard, Field Services Technician I. San Dieguito Water District, a water partner with the SEJPA, was represented by Bill O’Donnell, General Manager. Michael Thornton, General Manager, and Catherine Blakespear represented the SEJPA.
General Manager; Joseph Randall, Customer Services Manager; Dave Smith, Operations Manager; Gabe Hernandez, Chief Plant Operator; Raymond Motas,
Reclamation Operator Level III; and Marcus Barard, Field Services Technician I. San Dieguito Water District, a water partner with the SEJPA, was represented by Bill O’Donnell, General Manager. Michael Thornton, General Manager, and Catherine Blakespear represented the SEJPA.
For more information about the SEJPA and its water quality improvement projects, please contact Michael T. Thornton at thornton@sejpa.org.
For more information on OMWD’s potable and reclamation operations and efficiency measures, please contact Kimberly A. Thorner at 760-753-6466.
For more information on OMWD’s potable and reclamation operations and efficiency measures, please contact Kimberly A. Thorner at 760-753-6466.
Background: The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority (SEJPA) protects the environment and public health by treating and recycling wastewater from the coastal cities of Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and portions of Rancho Santa Fe. SEJPA oversees the SanElijo Water Reclamation Facility located in Cardiff by the Sea. The agency produces more than 400 million gallons per year of recycled water that is used locally for the irrigation of parks, schools, businesses, and street landscaping.
Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD currently serves approximately 84,000 customers over 48 square miles in northern San Diego County.
