MSSC 2011 Annual Salinity Summit Charles Ahrens Vice President / Water Resources and Conservation...

MSSC 2011 Annual Salinity Summit

Charles AhrensVice President / Water Resources and Conservation

Challenges in Brackish Groundwater Desalination

Project Development February 17, 2011

February 17, 2011

Challenges in Brackish Groundwater Desalination Project Development Challenges in Brackish Groundwater Desalination Project Development

Presentation Outline

• Why Brackish Desalination?

• Project Location

• Project Components

• Project Challenges

• Next Steps

• Lessons Learned

• Summary

February 17, 2011


Why Brackish Desalination?

• Governor’s 2002 Desalination Initiative

• Resource close to San Antonio

• Un-utilized resource

• Diversification

SAWS Brackish Test Site 1

February 17, 2011


Project Location

• Located on Aquifer Storage & Recovery property

• 11,800 acre-feet (Phase 1)

• Potential to expand to 25,000 acre-feet

• 45-mile Integration Pipeline will deliver water to south and west, may be built in phases

February 17, 2011


Project Components

• Production / Monitor Wells

• Reverse Osmosis Treatment Plant

• Pipeline System

• Brine Injection Wells

• Electrical System

February 17, 2011


Project Challenges

• Groundwater District Regulation

• State Water Management

• Concentrate Disposal

• Real Estate

• Public Perception

• Funding SAWS Membrane Pilot Test Unit

February 17, 2011


Project Challenges

• Groundwater District Regulation

• State Water Management

• Region L Plan

• Groundwater Management Areas

February 17, 2011


Project Challenges

• Concentrate Disposal

• SAWS Disposal Options– Surface Water

– Deep Well Injection

• Permitting– General Permit

February 17, 2011


Project Challenges

• Public Perception• Citizen’s Advisory Panel• Project Opposition• Response to Opposition

– Science Committee– Project starts in Bexar

County– Construct Monitor Wells– Continued information to

political leadership in Bexar County and surrounding Counties

February 17, 2011


$0

$20,000,000

$40,000,000

$60,000,000

$80,000,000

$100,000,000

$120,000,000

$140,000,000

$160,000,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Original CIP Revised CIP w/ Revised Costs & Schedule

$143.7M

$51M

$115.1M

$93.4M

$117.6M

$98.5M

$77.9M

$91.1M

$56.5M

$45.8M$45.8M

$56.5M

Project Challenges

Funding – Water Resources CIP Budget

February 17, 2011


Project Challenges

• Other Funding Sources

• TWDB Water Infrastructure Funds

– $35 Million – low interest deferred loans for Planning and Design

– $24 Million – low interest loans for Construction

• Federal Funds – Bureau of Reclamation

February 17, 2011


Next Steps

• Additional Pilot Testing (2011)

• Drill Test Injection Well (2011)

• Engage Program Manager (early 2012)

• Engage Construction Manager at Risk (late 2012)

February 17, 2011


Lessons Learned

• Inform political leadership early (preferably before feasibility work)

• Never underestimate project opposition

• Start land acquisition early

• Determine water quality early

• Pilot membranes early

• Refine concentrate disposal options early

February 17, 2011


Summary

279,000 AF222,000 AF

• Project Benefits– Diversification - project relieves pressure on the

Edwards Aquifer

– Additional use of previously purchased System property

– “State-of-the-Art” Treatment

– Phase 1 supplies approximately 5% of SAWS water needs

2020 – Worst Year of DOR

60%

2%4%

7%

5%

22%

Edwards Local Carrizo Western CanyonRegional Carrizo Brackish Desalination ASR

253,000 AF

151,000 AF Edwards102,000 AF Non-Edwards

Note: Excludes Recycle Water

MSSC 2011 Annual Salinity Summit

Charles AhrensVice President / Water Resources and Conservation

Challenges in Brackish Groundwater Desalination

Project Development February 17, 2011

MSSC 2011 Annual Salinity Summit Charles Ahrens Vice President / Water Resources and Conservation...

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