The "Urban Dictionary" defines "diamond in the rough" as "something that has hidden exceptional characteristics and/or future potential, but currently lacks the final touches that would make it truly stand out from the crowd."  Recently I had the opportunity to visit the MRWPCA and tour it's facilities and was amazed at the current operating capabilities of this waste water treatment plant.  The regional facility, located near Marina came on line in 1990 serving approximately 250,000 people on the Monterey Peninsula and in North County.  MRWPCA receives and treats 21 million gallons of waste water per day with capacity for 29.6 million gallons.  In 1998 the facility expanded with the opening of the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project (SVRP).  The SVRP provides recycled water to irrigate 12,000 acres of agricultural land used for growing artichokes, cauliflower, strawberries, broccoli, lettuce, and celery crops.  The SVRP was a significant project requiring large capital expenditures to develop the process and move the water from the treatment facility to the crops.   Additionally, the SVRP project significantly reduces ground water pumping required to support the 12,000 acres and allows the recycled water to help replenish the aquifer and significantly reduce seawater intrusion.  During the growing season virtually all of the recycled water is used for irrigating this acreage.  In the winter time when the land is dormant the recycled water is released into Monterey Bay, two miles offshore as it currently has no other purpose and can't be stored.  This begs the question; why aren't we using this water instead of releasing it and how much water is available?    The answer to the question is there are 2,700 acre feet of recycled water available.  The MRWPCA has been promoting the Groundwater Replenishment Project (GRP) to treat the water to potable standards and replenish the aquifers making up the Seaside Basin.  In fact, this is proven technology and used in many different parts of the state, country, and world.  Here, just like everywhere else we use potable water to take showers, wash dishes and clothes, and flush our toilets.  Potable water becomes grey water and black water and sent to the treatment facility where it can be returned to potable water standards.  The 2,700 acre feet of recycled water currently available can be further treated at a cost per acre foot less than an equivalent acre foot from a Desalination Plant.  The MRWPCA  can achieve those "final touches" that would make it truly stand out by being given the authority and financial backing required to bring this capacity on line and provide more than 25% of the 10,000 acre feet of new water sourcing we require.  Tell your county supervisors, local city councils, Cal Am, and the MPWMD that you want them to include the Groundwater Replenishment Project (GRP) from the MRWPCA as one of the resources to help resolve local water availability problems.  Water availability is becoming a larger problem locally and globally.  At the state level a study released in 2007 by the California Energy Commission stated the best single new supply of water available to support growth over the next 25 years is "water use efficiency".  In other words "we" have done a really good job of capturing the available water with major local, state, and federal water projects.  Water is a finite resource and rather than just releasing it into the ocean when we have finished with it, we should reuse it!  We have the technology and the examples are many.  Before I close, I want to tell you about a few more amazing things I learned at the MRWPCA.  The treatment process creates methane which is captured and used in a co-generation site capability that creates 7.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.  This supports the total requirements of the facility plus allows for excess to be sold into the electrical grid.  The facility also has a 1.1 gigawatt solar system that provides 60% of the power required to run the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project at a lower cost than grid supplied energy.  I urge all of you to call the MRWPCA and sign up for a monthly tour.  You will be amazed at what goes on and will be pleased that Monterey County has such a "diamond in the rough" waiting for its "final touches" to become a world class treatment facility!  For more information on the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency go to www.mrwpca.org .

     Capturing rainwater is also another great way to use available water more efficiently.  Currently most rainwater runs off your roof, into a storm drain, and out into a stream or river on its way to the ocean.  Capturing rainwater and using it, is using water more efficiently!  Rainwater is pure and drinkable if you can catch it before it hits your roof.  Once it comes in contact with your roof it can pick up unwanted sediment, bacteria, and/or virus.  Rainwater can be treated to non-potable or potable standards basically using the same capabilities used at the MRWPCA but on a residential scale.  The city of Atlanta recently created a rainwater harvesting ordinance allowing residences to create potable water, but other municipalities may not.  Locally our Garden Solutions Landscaping rainwater installations support non-potable irrigation requirements.  Call us today for a free consultation!