Mayor Kevin Faulconer sees San Diego's Pure Water Program as proof of concept for other cities with uncertain water supplies. By 2035, the initiative aims to derive one-third of the city's supply from recycled wastewater.
For Brookings, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer writes, "San Diego currently imports 85 percent of its water from the Colorado River and Northern California Bay Delta. With such limited control, San Diego is vulnerable to rising water costs from wholesalers, recurring droughts, climate change, and disruptions in water supply infrastructure due to natural disasters."
Through the Pure Water Program, "our city will use advanced water purification technologies to recycle wastewater into safe, high-quality drinking water. This recycling will produce approximately one-third of San Diego's water supply by 2035." The goal is greater water independence in a dry region.
The project will require substantial investment ($1.2 billion for the first phase alone) for "the design, construction and operation of several new advanced water purification facilities, pump stations and pipelines, and improvements to existing treatment plants."
Faulconer continues: "a renewable energy project that will utilize methane captured from the local landfill to power the majority of the Phase 1 facilities."
FULL STORY: San Diego’s Pure Water Program: A sustainable solution to water supply challenges
San Diego Launches Massive Sewage Treatment Project
The ambitious Pure Water project is designed to reduce the city's dependence on imported water and limit the amount of sewage dumped into the ocean.
Sales Tax to Fund Water Projects Extended in Las Vegas Region
The Clark County Commission is extending a sales tax, created in 1998, which could have drawn to a close after raising $2.3 billion or the year 2025, whichever came first. The tax will remain in place indefinitely.
El Paso Wastewater Purification Facility Breaks Ground
As water supplies become strained and technology advances, cities look to wastewater as a viable source of drinking water.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie