Advances in reverse osmosis membrane technology are convincing more and more cities to invest in cleaning their own used water instead of piping it in from far-off reservoirs.
"A non-profit organization called the Affordable Desalination Collaboration formed in the state of California as a public/private venture that has funding from some of the municipalities like Orange County, West Basin, and the city of Santa Cruz. It also has funding from the state of California's Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and then some of the industrial companies."
"For example, when the Santa Barbara seawater R.O. system was built in the early 90s, it cost about four times what it currently costs to desalt seawater-seawater desalting costs only 25 percent of what it did just 15 years ago. So, we found out very quickly that the technology has improved and is more energy efficient..."
"...osmotic pressure represents a potential source of energy. That was postulated in the 1970s by the originators of the reverse osmosis concept but at that time the technology didn't exist to capture that osmotic pressure and turn it into power. Today, because of technological improvements, it is conceivable that we will be able to capture the osmotic pressure from seawater and make it a source of power."
FULL STORY: Reverse Osmosis and Toray Membrane USA: Can Desalination Finally Solve Water Scarcity?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
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