The Napa Valley Register reports that the Napa (California) Sanitation District has nearly completed $20 million in projects to double its recycled water output. It’s also working on two pipelines to deliver the increased output to more rural homes and vineyards at an additional cost of $34 million.

According to the report, the district’s initial goal will be to produce 3,600 acre-feet of recycled water for irrigating vineyards, parks and golf courses with plans to increase the amount to 4,500 acre-feet over the next 10 years.

“There’s more demand for recycled water in Napa than we can provide,” says district Chief Financial Officer Jeff Tucker.

In order to expand, the district Board of Directors is studying a $33.2 million package that will increase filter and storage capacity at the wastewater treatment plant, in addition to a 600-acre-foot storage pond and more pipelines to deliver the water to targeted locations.

Gov. Jerry Brown wants to explore taking recycled water use in California beyond irrigation, including drinking water.

“California needs more high-quality water, and recycling is the key to getting there,” Brown wrote to the state Senate.

Source: Napa Valley Register

Grand Rapids Competes for Funding to Alleviate Flooding
Already building rain gardens and flood walls, the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is seeking about $200 million in federal funds to help pay for additional flood prevention projects.

According to MLive.com, the city has partnered with the State of Michigan and several other local governments in Kent County to devise a plan, called “The Grand Strategy,” in hopes of claiming a share of $1 billion in the National Disaster Resilience Competition.

“The Grand Strategy will not only help strengthen west Michigan’s resilience and stave off disaster, but the investment will significantly expand green infrastructure and amenities,” states the draft proposal. “Put simply, The Grand Strategy promises to help drive the region’s next generation of growth and prospertity."

The plan ties existing efforts into a “nature-based flood management” plan. The strategy calls for public purchase of 1,000 flood-prone acres, including several properties along the Thornapple River, for wetlands restoration and more green infrastructure. It also seeks money for the Grand Rapids Whitewater plan to remove downtown dams from the Grand River.

Source: MLive.com