California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The recent grand opening of the state-of-the-art Groundwater Wellhead Treatment System in Rialto by the West Valley Water District (WVWD) marked environmental history. The new water treatment plant is the first of its kind in the United States utilizing a natural bioremediation process to remove perchlorate and other harmful chemicals in the water.
Whereas bioremediation has been used in other jurisdictions for groundwater recharge, West Valley Water District is the first to implement it directly into the water supply. The new plant, designed and built by Envirogen of Kingman, Texas, processes perchlorate-laden water from the Rialto-Colton groundwater basin, directly for use by the potable water utility. The new facility has gone through extensive testing to ensure that the treated water meets all applicable state and federal standards for water quality.
The treatment process uses microscopic organisms which are already present in the groundwater to consume certain harmful chemicals such as perchlorate. By allowing this natural process to occur, the water can then be sent through a traditional water treatment process and made available for use by WVWD customers.
“By utilizing an innovative technology, we are able to provide our customers with clean water from a source that until now was completely unavailable” said Dr. Clifford O. Young, Sr., president of West Valley Water District. “What we are doing here will be duplicated across California and the nation.”
A perchlorate plume, resulting from decades of past military, industrial and agricultural use, was discovered in the Rialto-Colton groundwater basin in 1997. Subsequently, West Valley Water District and the City of Rialto were forced to shut down several wells due to perchlorate contamination.
“This was an issue that impacted the entire region,” said Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson. “We are thankful that so many agencies were able to come together to bring this project to life and help solve a critical water issue for our community.”
Following a smaller-scale pilot project of the bioremediation facility, WVWD was able to secure the necessary funding for its new facility through Proposition 84 state bond money and grants from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and the State Water Resources Control Board. Additional funding partners include the City of Rialto, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, California Department of Public Health, and the Department of Defense’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.
“I commend West Valley Water District for its commitment to developing innovative technology,” said Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board Chair William Ruh. “This project will maintain a high-quality water supply for its customers and improve water quality in the region.”
