Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 - NEWS RELEASE

San Diego - Today Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer released the following statement regarding the City Council's unanimous vote to move forward with the Pure Water San Diego program:

"The innovative Pure Water project is an investment in our future that will provide San Diego the reliable water supply we need for our economy to grow and our city to thrive. I've joined environmental, business and community leaders to create environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solutions to our water challenges. I thank the City Council for its support."

The City Council voted today to submit a renewal application for a modified discharge permit for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, a critical step toward implementing the Pure Water San Diego program. The federal permit is required for the plant to continue its current operations. In addition, the Council authorized Mayor Faulconer to enter into a cooperative agreement with local environmental groups - San Diego Coastkeeper, Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation and the San Diego Audubon Society - in support of the Point Loma permit and Pure Water San Diego.

The Pure Water San Diego program is designed to purify enough wastewater to provide one-third of San Diego's water supply after all three phases are fully operational in 2035. The 20-year capital improvement project calls for the construction of a nearly $2 billion water-purification plant on Harbor Drive and installation of advanced purification at the North City Water Reclamation Plant and the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant. The three facilities would eventually produce 83 million gallons per day.

The project would divert wastewater flows away from the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats wastewater before it's piped into the ocean. That would allow for a higher level of treatment for wastewater and negate the need for billions of dollars to outfit the Point Loma plant with a secondary water treatment system.

This local supply of water will help the City reduce costly imported water purchases and improve San Diego's water supply independence.

Mayor Faulconer and city officials have been working together over the past 16 months with a diverse group of stakeholders, partners and local environmental groups to reach consensus on a strategy to submit the modified permit renewal application for the Point Loma plant, implement Pure Water San Diego and work to obtain approval of secondary equivalency for the Point Loma plant.

CONTACT: Craig Gustafson at (619) 453-9880 or cgustafson@sandiego.gov