Carollo, MCWD partner on seawater intake research project

PHOENIX, AZ, Aug. 16, 2007 -- Carollo Engineers is pleased to announce its partnership with Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) after being awarded Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF) project #4080, Seawater Intake Systems for Desalination Plants. AwwaRF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science of drinking water, selected Carollo based on its team research approach, combination of experienced engineers and scientists, and proposed deliverables.

The objective of project #4080 is to develop a user-friendly technical report summarizing the state-of-the-science on seawater desalination intake structures and methods. Because ocean intake planning and design is a complicated process, combining multiple disciplines and numerous stakeholders, the water industry needs an easy-to-navigate picture of how to approach and manage the planning and decision-making process.

MCWD's role is integral to the success of the project, sharing their industry experiences as an operator of an existing Monterey Bay desalination plant and expertise to ensure that the resultant planning/decision tool is an effective resource. By taking part in the project, MCWD is able to better serve their customers. Their participation also helps to educate the water industry as a whole, provides the district with cutting-edge research and information as the study progresses, and gives MCWD the ability to put this knowledge to work for the benefit of their service area residents.

The Carollo team, which includes TENERA Environmental and Ranney Collector Wells of Layne Christensen Company, will produce two key deliverables to meet this challenge: 1) A State-of-the-Science Report summarizing "what is known," rules to be followed by desalination professionals, and interest groups that may require negotiation; 2) An Ocean Intake Planning/Decision Tool that distills the information in the report and helps users navigate the planning process.

This project is tentatively scheduled to start in September and will be completed in Fall 2009.

"As less fresh water is available for treatment, and seawater desalination becomes a viable tool in the world's struggle to provide water for a growing population, it is the responsibility of those with the right expertise to help make desalination a realistic option for public agencies and their customers," said Dr. Erin D. Mackey, Carollo Engineers. "Carollo's approach results in a user-friendly resource and decision methodology to help water utility managers navigate the ocean intake design decision-making process."

The California Department of Water Resources is a funding partner on this project, and the WateReuse Foundation and Sandia National Laboratories are co-sponsors.

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