The Pure Water Oceanside project, a purification facility for recycled drinking water that opened in Oceanside earlier this year, is on track to receive nearly $10 million in federal grant money, the city recently announced.
The $9.9 million U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grant will be awarded for final construction of Pure Water Oceanside through the bureau’s WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects funding program. Although the plant is open and operating, final construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
Oceanside is one of 25 applicants named in the federal appropriations process for the funding, according to an Aug. 23 city news release.
“It is very important to the City that Pure Water Oceanside is affordable for our community,” Water Utilities Director Lindsay Leahy said in the news release. “We have made great strides through the award of multiple grants, loans, and incentive programs through the Bureau of Reclamation, EPA, Department of Water Resources, Metropolitan Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority.”
The $70 million Pure Water Oceanside facility, which began operating in January and was dedicated in March, adds to the city’s drinking water stock as the region and California face serious drought conditions.
The project uses ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to provide 3 million gallons per day — more than 20% of the Oceanside’s drinking water supply — using recycled water from the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility, according to the city. Ultimately, the project will provide more than 32% of the city’s water supply, up to 5 million gallons per day.
“We are thankful for the continued support from the Bureau of Reclamation,” Leahy said. “This funding helps to ensure Oceanside can continue to develop a cost effective, reliable, local water supply.”
The Bureau of Reclamation provides grants through the federal Title XVI program to water districts and communities to reclaim and reuse wastewater and compromised ground and surface water in the West.
Pure Water Oceanside is the first facility of its kind in San Diego County.
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