The League of California Cities awarded the 2023 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence to the city of Santa Monica for its Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project.
Santa Monica’s innovative water recycling project, known as SWIP, captures stormwater, urban runoff and wastewater for reuse as a sustainable water supply that provides for about 10% of the city’s water demand.
SWIP was one of 10 city projects to earn the award, which recognizes programs and initiatives that enhance quality of life and delivery of services for the community.
“The SWIP is the result of nearly 10 years of planning and represents incredible foresight. We’re now reaping the benefits of being ahead of the curve on water sustainability,” Water Resources Manager Sunny Wang says. “We’re predicted to have another wet winter, and instead of that water flowing into the ocean, we’re able to capture it and keep it locally to replenish our groundwater supplies. I really appreciate Cal Cities recognizing the efforts that we’ve made for our community.”
EPA Takes Action to Address Violations at Kailua WWTP in Hawaii
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with the City and County of Honolulu to ensure pollutant discharge requirements are met at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This order follows a previous AOC that was entered into December 2022 between the EPA and CCH and is necessitated by the fact that the plant has continued to exceed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System effluent limits for bacteria.
Based upon condition assessments, maintenance evaluations, and additional monitoring requirements of the previous order, EPA is requiring the facility to install and operate new disinfection treatment technology and perform major repairs to the biological treatment units to prevent additional failures.
Dayton Eyes Profit from Biogas Sale, Aims to Reduce Emissions
The city of Dayton, Ohio, is exploring a potential 20-year contract that aims to monetize its wastewater treatment plant's biogas byproduct.
Currently, a significant portion of the biogas produced is wasted through flaring. The proposed partnership would see Pinnacle Gas Producers setting up the required pipeline infrastructure to transport, clean and sell the biogas.
If the deal is finalized, Dayton stands to earn approximately $1.3 million annually from the company, translating to a net revenue of about $800,000 a year or $16 million over two decades. This initiative aligns with the city's green and sustainability goals and is awaiting review by the Dayton City Commission.
