Basin Water, Inc - Solutions

California Water Service Company

Treating Deteriorating Water Quality And Meeting Tightening Restrictions

California Water Service Company
www.calwater.com

1000 GPM BasinWater Uranium Removal System for Well 28-01

Executive Summary

California Water Service Company (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, faced a challenge in its Salinas District, one of the many areas it serves. Deteriorating water quality and ever-tightening restrictions on contaminant levels combined to sharply reduce the number of groundwater wells from which safe drinking water could be obtained. By the beginning of 2002, 34% of the wells in the Salinas District were shut down due to high contaminant levels, with even more closures projected. A six-month study resulted in Basin Water's technology being selected as the technology of choice for this project.

By then, summer was fast approaching, and with it peak water usage. Basin Water's proprietary simulation software eliminated months of pilot testing, and the compact, highly mobile systems were ideally suited for rapid deployment into wellhead sites located in residential areas.

Cal Water acted fast to solve its problems, and found in Basin Water a strategic partner that could help it meet its needs quickly and effectively.

Company Background

Cal Water is one of four subsidiaries of California Water Service Group, one of the largest investor-owned water utility in the United States based on population served, with nearly 900 wells providing water utility service to more than 1.7 million people in 99 communities. California Water Service Group is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol "CWT").

Cal Water is a regulated public utility which provides water services to over 451,000 customers in 75 communities throughout California . The Salinas District is one of 25 districts within Cal Water.

The Community

Salinas is located about 100 miles south of San Francisco , in Monterey County. The Salinas District includes 27,700 customer connections in the Salinas, Indian Springs, Salinas Hills, Country Meadows, Las Lomas, and Oak Hills systems. Cal Water also serves 300 customer connections through operations and maintenance contracts for Foothill Estates and Spreckels Water Co. It all adds up to about 89,580 people served by Cal Water in the Salinas District.

Known as the "Salad Bowl of the World," Salinas produces 80% of the nation's lettuce, 50% of its cauliflower and mushrooms, 25% of its celery, 60% of its broccoli, and 90% of its artichokes. The climate is also ideal for growing grapes, as evidenced by the expanding vineyards and wineries of the Central Coast region.

According to Cal Water, the Salinas District is 100% dependent on 54 groundwater wells for its drinking water. The area faces the constant threat of saltwater intrusion, particularly as groundwater is pumped.

The Challenge

In Salinas , Cal Water had shut down 12% of their wells in 2001, and entered 2002 with 34% of their wells shut down because of unacceptable levels of nitrate and uranium. Nitrate contamination has been linked to a variety of cancers and diseases including "blue baby syndrome." Uranium is a radionuclide that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, and emits radiation as it decays.

Many of Cal Water's remaining operational wells had nitrate levels that were close to the established Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). On top of that, a tighter restriction on arsenic levels was under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Compliance with that tighter restriction could have forced the closing of three to 11 additional wells, depending on the arsenic MCL established.

Historically, Cal Water had always been able to drill new wells to meet demand. With new restrictions in place and ever-deteriorating water quality, that solution was no longer possible. In addition to the cost and uncertainty associated with drilling a new well, any new well would simply be tapping into a groundwater source that was increasingly contaminated. Another challenge that developed was the cost of power in California . During 2001, the cost of electricity soared nearly 50%, which meant nearly $6 million in added costs - costs that could not be passed on to consumers without filing a General Rate Case before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC regulates privately owned utility and transportation companies, ensuring California consumers safe, reliable public services at reasonable rates.

Cal Water was in the midst of such a General Rate Case proceeding when additional wells were shut down due to high contaminant levels. Cal Water and the CPUC staff collaborated on developing a procedure to recover the unanticipated costs of dealing with these closures.

Cal Water commissioned a six-month study to evaluate water treatment options, including blending, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange. In addition to other factors, the skyrocketing costs of electricity made low energy consumption a top priority in evaluating the various technologies. The results of the study were presented to the CPUC, Department of Health Services (DHS), and City of Salinas in February 2002.

Blending was ruled out because of the cost of building new pipelines and the risk that closure of a low-nitrate well for repair or even ordinary maintenance could push nitrate levels over the limit. Reverse osmosis also was ruled out due to high power requirements, high percentage of waste water (15%), and overall expense. The power needed for reverse osmosis required a complete panel upgrade and additional service from the electric utility (Pacific Gas & Electric), which meant an additional six-month delay as well as the ongoing (and increasing) cost of electricity. That left ion exchange, which could target the specific contaminants Cal Water had to treat, required minimal power, produced less waste, had the lowest life cycle cost, and was a proven technology. As a side benefit, ion exchange is less-sensitive to sand than other technologies, an issue with several of the wells in the area.

The Solution

In April 2002, a contract was signed with Basin Water, Inc. to provide treated water to Cal Water, out of the contaminated wells in Salinas , at a set price per acre-foot, for a period of ten years. The solution and the solution provider were selected, but summer was fast approaching, and time was of the essence.

Fortunately, Basin Water had the tools with which to act quickly. One critically important tool, was BasinWater-IX™, a proprietary simulation software program. It was used to predict the Basin Water system's performance under the conditions and requirements faced in the Salinas District. This software is constantly updated to reflect new research findings.

BasinWater-IX™ is very accurate and provides detailed data, far more quickly than pilot testing. Six months of pilot testing can be simulated in just one hour. This generates extremely accurate assessments of cost, post-treatment contaminant levels, and waste rates. It also allows a level of process refinement that is difficult with conventional approaches. Moreover, once the treatment facility is operational, this simulation software makes it quick and cost-effective to continually optimize facility settings in response to changing needs.

The BasinWater-IX™ software saved Cal Water the time and expense of lengthy pilot testing, feasibility studies and preliminary engineering design.

In addition, the DHS was familiar with Basin Water's unique solution. Based on the simulation findings, Basin Water immediately went to work installing at-the-wellhead treatment facilities. The first DHS permit was granted within one month; treated water went in the system by June 2002, fewer than 60 days after contract signing.

Cal Water's wells are scattered throughout residential areas, so a key concern was the size of the treatment facilities. This posed no problem, however, because Basin Water's self-contained systems, designed for mobility and rapid deployment, are generally more-compact than other ion exchange systems. Cal Water's wellhead treatment facilities stand less than 10 feet tall, and are easily screened by architectural walls and foliage.

Another important factor was the ease of operating the treatment facilities. They run automatically, and ongoing training, maintenance, and waste disposal were provided by Basin Water. As a result, Cal Water didn't have to add personnel or take on training responsibilities. In addition, all the operations of each treatment facility can be monitored - and, in many cases, adjusted or fine tuned - from a remote location. Should a problem arise, each facility has automatic alarm systems that can call a Basin Water technical service representative for service.

Basin Water would handle all maintenance and repair, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This assured Cal Water of ongoing, responsive support for the facilities - and a reliable source of treated drinking water for its customers.

The Results

The first well to be treated, in June 2002, was well #28-01, which was shut down in December of 2001 with a uranium level of 24 pCi/L (pico-curies per liter, the standard measurement for radionuclide contamination). Treatment brought that contaminant down to 0.5 pCi/L, with a waste rate of less than approximately 0.01%. Cal Water signed a ten-year contract with Basin Water, which guarantees the price per acre-foot and the contaminant level until 2012.

The second well, #15-01, was shut down in June 2001 for nitrate levels as high as 45 ppm (parts-per-million). The State of California mandates a level below 45 ppm, while the DHS target is 35 ppm. Basin Water began treatment in July 2002. After treatment, the nitrate level was consistently below 20 ppm, with no pH spikes and a waste rate of approximately 0.25%. The contaminant level and price are guaranteed by us under the contract for ten years.

The third well, # 1-08-01 , was shut down in mid-August for nitrate contamination - but this well had nitrate levels averaging 60 ppm, or nearly twice the DHS target. After treatment, the nitrate level should be down to below 20 ppm, with a projected waste rate of approximately 0.15%. Once again, the contaminant level and price are guaranteed by us under the contract for ten years.

As summer wore on, wells that had been shut down for deteriorating water quality were treated and returned to service. That gave Cal Water the supplies it needed to keep the water flowing to the Salinas agricultural community - and the community at large.

Conclusion

Cal Water, in partnership with Basin Water, was able to ensure the agricultural community and the people of Salinas a reliable source of safe drinking water.


Solutions
Case Studies > Arizona Water > Avondale > Baldy Mesa > Cal Water > Coachella Valley > East Valley > Hi-Desert > Pomona > SoCal Water Browse Solutions > By Contaminant > By Region > By Customer California Water Service Company Treating Deteriorating Water Quality And Meeting Tightening Restrictions California Water Service Company www.calwater.com 1000 GPM BasinWater Uranium Removal System for Well 28-01 Executive Summary California Water Service Company (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, faced a challenge in its Salinas District, one of the many areas it serves. Deteriorating water quality and ever-tightening restrictions on contaminant levels combined to sharply reduce the number of groundwater wells from which safe drinking water could be obtained. By the beginning of 2002, 34% of the wells in the Salinas District were shut down due to high contaminant levels, with even more closures projected. A six-month study resulted in Basin Water's technology being selected as the technology of choice for this project. By then, summer was fast approaching, and with it peak water usage. Basin Water's proprietary simulation software eliminated months of pilot testing, and the compact, highly mobile systems were ideally suited for rapid deployment into wellhead sites located in residential areas. Cal Water acted fast to solve its problems, and found in Basin Water a strategic partner that could help it meet its needs quickly and effectively. Company Background Cal Water is one of four subsidiaries of California Water Service Group, one of the largest investor-owned water utility in the United States based on population served, with nearly 900 wells providing water utility service to more than 1.7 million people in 99 communities. California Water Service Group is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol "CWT"). Cal Water is a regulated public utility which provides water services to over 451,000 customers in 75 communities throughout California . The Salinas District is one of 25 districts within Cal Water. The Community Salinas is located about 100 miles south of San Francisco , in Monterey County. The Salinas District includes 27,700 customer connections in the Salinas, Indian Springs, Salinas Hills, Country Meadows, Las Lomas, and Oak Hills systems. Cal Water also serves 300 customer connections through operations and maintenance contracts for Foothill Estates and Spreckels Water Co. It all adds up to about 89,580 people served by Cal Water in the Salinas District. Known as the "Salad Bowl of the World," Salinas produces 80% of the nation's lettuce, 50% of its cauliflower and mushrooms, 25% of its celery, 60% of its broccoli, and 90% of its artichokes. The climate is also ideal for growing grapes, as evidenced by the expanding vineyards and wineries of the Central Coast region. According to Cal Water, the Salinas District is 100% dependent on 54 groundwater wells for its drinking water. The area faces the constant threat of saltwater intrusion, particularly as groundwater is pumped. The Challenge In Salinas , Cal Water had shut down 12% of their wells in 2001, and entered 2002 with 34% of their wells shut down because of unacceptable levels of nitrate and uranium. Nitrate contamination has been linked to a variety of cancers and diseases including "blue baby syndrome." Uranium is a radionuclide that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, and emits radiation as it decays. Many of Cal Water's remaining operational wells had nitrate levels that were close to the established Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). On top of that, a tighter restriction on arsenic levels was under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Compliance with that tighter restriction could have forced the closing of three to 11 additional wells, depending on the arsenic MCL established. Historically, Cal Water had always been able to drill new wells to meet demand. With new restrictions in place and ever-deteriorating water quality, that solution was no longer possible. In addition to the cost and uncertainty associated with drilling a new well, any new well would simply be tapping into a groundwater source that was increasingly contaminated. Another challenge that developed was the cost of power in California . During 2001, the cost of electricity soared nearly 50%, which meant nearly $6 million in added costs - costs that could not be passed on to consumers without filing a General Rate Case before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC regulates privately owned utility and transportation companies, ensuring California consumers safe, reliable public services at reasonable rates. Cal Water was in the midst of such a General Rate Case proceeding when additional wells were shut down due to high contaminant levels. Cal Water and the CPUC staff collaborated on developing a procedure to recover the unanticipated costs of dealing with these closures. Cal Water commissioned a six-month study to evaluate water treatment options, including blending, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange. In addition to other factors, the skyrocketing costs of electricity made low energy consumption a top priority in evaluating the various technologies. The results of the study were presented to the CPUC, Department of Health Services (DHS), and City of Salinas in February 2002. Blending was ruled out because of the cost of building new pipelines and the risk that closure of a low-nitrate well for repair or even ordinary maintenance could push nitrate levels over the limit. Reverse osmosis also was ruled out due to high power requirements, high percentage of waste water (15%), and overall expense. The power needed for reverse osmosis required a complete panel upgrade and additional service from the electric utility (Pacific Gas & Electric), which meant an additional six-month delay as well as the ongoing (and increasing) cost of electricity. That left ion exchange, which could target the specific contaminants Cal Water had to treat, required minimal power, produced less waste, had the lowest life cycle cost, and was a proven technology. As a side benefit, ion exchange is less-sensitive to sand than other technologies, an issue with several of the wells in the area. The Solution In April 2002, a contract was signed with Basin Water, Inc. to provide treated water to Cal Water, out of the contaminated wells in Salinas , at a set price per acre-foot, for a period of ten years. The solution and the solution provider were selected, but summer was fast approaching, and time was of the essence. Fortunately, Basin Water had the tools with which to act quickly. One critically important tool, was BasinWater-IX™, a proprietary simulation software program. It was used to predict the Basin Water system's performance under the conditions and requirements faced in the Salinas District. This software is constantly updated to reflect new research findings. BasinWater-IX™ is very accurate and provides detailed data, far more quickly than pilot testing. Six months of pilot testing can be simulated in just one hour. This generates extremely accurate assessments of cost, post-treatment contaminant levels, and waste rates. It also allows a level of process refinement that is difficult with conventional approaches. Moreover, once the treatment facility is operational, this simulation software makes it quick and cost-effective to continually optimize facility settings in response to changing needs. The BasinWater-IX™ software saved Cal Water the time and expense of lengthy pilot testing, feasibility studies and preliminary engineering design. In addition, the DHS was familiar with Basin Water's unique solution. Based on the simulation findings, Basin Water immediately went to work installing at-the-wellhead treatment facilities. The first DHS permit was granted within one month; treated water went in the system by June 2002, fewer than 60 days after contract signing. Cal Water's wells are scattered throughout residential areas, so a key concern was the size of the treatment facilities. This posed no problem, however, because Basin Water's self-contained systems, designed for mobility and rapid deployment, are generally more-compact than other ion exchange systems. Cal Water's wellhead treatment facilities stand less than 10 feet tall, and are easily screened by architectural walls and foliage. Another important factor was the ease of operating the treatment facilities. They run automatically, and ongoing training, maintenance, and waste disposal were provided by Basin Water. As a result, Cal Water didn't have to add personnel or take on training responsibilities. In addition, all the operations of each treatment facility can be monitored - and, in many cases, adjusted or fine tuned - from a remote location. Should a problem arise, each facility has automatic alarm systems that can call a Basin Water technical service representative for service. Basin Water would handle all maintenance and repair, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This assured Cal Water of ongoing, responsive support for the facilities - and a reliable source of treated drinking water for its customers. The Results The first well to be treated, in June 2002, was well #28-01, which was shut down in December of 2001 with a uranium level of 24 pCi/L (pico-curies per liter, the standard measurement for radionuclide contamination). Treatment brought that contaminant down to 0.5 pCi/L, with a waste rate of less than approximately 0.01%. Cal Water signed a ten-year contract with Basin Water, which guarantees the price per acre-foot and the contaminant level until 2012. The second well, #15-01, was shut down in June 2001 for nitrate levels as high as 45 ppm (parts-per-million). The State of California mandates a level below 45 ppm, while the DHS target is 35 ppm. Basin Water began treatment in July 2002. After treatment, the nitrate level was consistently below 20 ppm, with no pH spikes and a waste rate of approximately 0.25%. The contaminant level and price are guaranteed by us under the contract for ten years. The third well, # 1-08-01 , was shut down in mid-August for nitrate contamination - but this well had nitrate levels averaging 60 ppm, or nearly twice the DHS target. After treatment, the nitrate level should be down to below 20 ppm, with a projected waste rate of approximately 0.15%. Once again, the contaminant level and price are guaranteed by us under the contract for ten years. As summer wore on, wells that had been shut down for deteriorating water quality were treated and returned to service. That gave Cal Water the supplies it needed to keep the water flowing to the Salinas agricultural community - and the community at large. Conclusion Cal Water, in partnership with Basin Water, was able to ensure the agricultural community and the people of Salinas a reliable source of safe drinking water.
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