PALM SPRINGS, CA, Jan. 23, 2015 -- The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) has honored the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department with the Public Outreach and Education Achievement Award for its Water Purification Demonstration Project's public outreach program. The City received the award during the 2015 CASA Winter Conference held on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Palm Springs, Calif.
The City's Demonstration Project confirmed the feasibility of purifying recycled water to supplement local drinking water supplies. The outreach program included presentations, booths at community events, facility tours, informational materials, advertisements, and social media. Water agencies from as far as Japan and Australia have visited San Diego's Advanced Water Purification Facility to learn more about how to best communicate about water purification to the public.
"San Diego Opens Doors to Water Purification Demonstration Project"
"San Diego water purification plant hits milestone with 5,000th tour guest"
Following the Demonstration Project, the City Council last November unanimously approved the advancement of Pure Water San Diego, the City's 20-year program to provide a safe, reliable and cost-effective drinking water supply for the region through proven water purification technology (see "San Diego County Water Authority supports large-scale potable reuse project"). An initial 15-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) water purification facility is planned to be in operation by 2023. The long term goal, producing 83 MGD (one-third of San Diego's future drinking water supply), is planned to be reached by 2035.
The CASA Achievement Awards were open to active member agencies and associate member organizations and are designed to recognize exceptional achievements in clean water services, programs and projects. The Achievement Award for Public Outreach and Education recognizes efforts by an agency for development and implementation of programs intended to impact or educate a segment(s) of the local community on issues important to the agency. The submissions were evaluated by a committee composed of last year's achievement award winners.
See also:
"CA district breaks ground on advanced water purification demonstration project"
"CA advanced water treatment project to explore new source of water"
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