On June 15, 2017, Sweetwater Authority (Authority) celebrated the completion of its $42 million expansion of the existing Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility. This event highlighted the facility’s production capacity increasing to 10 million gallons per day from 5 million gallons per day.
This project itself is a celebration of technical innovation and sustainability of both water and energy. It is a celebration of community and industry collaboration and partnerships, and the dedication of the Authority and the Cities of Chula Vista and National City workforces. It is a celebration of strategic and transparent planning and accomplishments, and governmental supports.
But this could not have been done without the vision and planning of former General Manager Richard A. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds began his visioning in the early 1990s as he had calculated that the cost of importing water from outside the San Diego region would continue to increase (which it has) and also took into consideration the availability of water from rainfall would have periods of dry spells (which it has). So he engaged the Authority’s engineering staff, an engineering consultant, and the United States Geological Survey to explore the potential for groundwater use right here in Chula Vista. His vision was also to seek grant funding from both the State and Federal Government (which is nearly $31 million for the $42 million expansion) as well as to consider this project in two phases to maintain affordability. His vision was accepted by the Governing Board and the project moved forward. With that vision and Board approval, the first phase was built in 1999 with the expansion in mind so when the Authority built the second and final phase, there was no need to have a room addition done – there was only the need to install more groundwater wells.
The project will effectively expand local sources of water, and continues to reduce the Authority’s dependence on imported water and improves the reliability of its local water supplies. This translates to having over 40 percent of the Authority’s water portfolio provided from local drought-proof groundwater sources that in turn improves water resources and lower costs for the Authority’s ratepayers. Costs will be further offset by the recent installation of a solar array at the facility, which provides an alternative energy source for treatment of the groundwater.
Sweetwater Authority has been as an industry leader in local water supply investment and reliability; this project further strengthens that designation. The foresight and creativity of the late Mr. Reynolds deserves the credit for this project, and praise for providing residents of Chula Vista, National City, and Bonita with an additional safe and reliable source of water. This is good foresight and planning – something the Authority has done that is not too common today in government.
In addition, let us acknowledge the major contributions of the Authority’s Operations workforce teamwork under the leadership of retiring General Manager Jim Smyth, and the collaboration with the industry which made possible the Phase 2 upgrade and solar project accomplishment.
Thomas is on the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board.
