SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - May 21, 2009) - The Association of California Water Agencies
(ACWA) today presented the prestigious Clair A. Hill Award to Solano
Irrigation District for its innovative Total Trihalomethane Reduction
System.
The award was presented to the district during the annual ACWA Spring
Conference & Exhibition, where hundreds of water officials are gathered
through Friday for programs and panel discussions on a variety of key water
issues. Solano Irrigation District was selected from among four finalists
to receive the award.
"Solano Irrigation District is an outstanding example of a local agency
implementing creative solutions to manage California's water resources,"
ACWA President Glen Peterson said. "Solano's project has captured national
attention for its ability to dramatically reduce disinfectant byproducts in
response to more stringent water quality standards."
Using a recirculating pump, district staff developed an aeration process
designed to reduce total trihalomethanes, a byproduct formed when
disinfectants react with organic material in water. The pump draws water
from the bottom of a water tank and discharges it into the atmosphere using
a spray nozzle above the water surface. Total THMs have been reduced from
120 parts per billion to 36.4 parts per billion, a 70 percent reduction.
Since it became operational in November 2006, water agencies across the
country, including the United States Navy, have called or visited to find
out how they can model their own systems after Solano's. With a total
investment of less than $5,000 for research, implementation and operating
costs, the district's solution is both practical and cost effective.
ACWA's Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence is an annual award
program that recognizes outstanding achievements by public water agencies.
The winning agency has the honor of awarding a $5,000 scholarship to a
deserving student in the name of Clair A. Hill, founder of the consulting
engineering firm CH2M Hill.
Other finalists for this year's award were:
-- Central Basin Municipal Water District, for "Water Wanderings: A
Journey Through California's Water," a hands-on water education program for
students.
-- The City of Oxnard, for its Brackish Water Desalter, a component of
its Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment Program.
-- The City of Riverside, for its John. W. North Water Treatment Plant,
which has completely eliminated the agency's reliance on imported water.
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are
responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more
information, visit
www.acwa.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Jennifer Persike
ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs
916/441-4545
916/296-3981 (cell)