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Cambria utilities report: ZLD success, leak detection finds major savings, Stewart Street tank work ongoing
Summary
Utilities staff reported energy efficiency gains at the wastewater plant, a ZLD (zero liquid discharge) system achieving about 97.5–98% reduction, ASTER satellite scans that flagged leaks equating to ~29 million gallons annually, and continued Stewart Street tank exterior work; staff will bring ZLD and tank cost/operations figures to a special meeting.
Cambria Community Services District utilities staff told the board on Jan. 8 that several capital and efficiency projects are progressing and that forthcoming cost and operating estimates will be presented to the board.
Key results: Utilities Manager Michael Green said the district’s recently commissioned zero‑liquid‑discharge (ZLD) equipment delivered substantial reductions in liquid discharge for testing: “We did receive 98% to 97.5% reduction,” Green reported; an independent evaluation is pending. ASTER satellite imaging and follow‑up field work identified 22 leak points since June; two large leaks represent cumulative annual savings on the order of 29,000,000 gallons once repaired or mitigated.
Stewart Street tank: contractors are actively sandblasting and re‑coating the Stewart Street tank; Green apologized to neighbors for a noisy, weather‑sensitive phase that includes blasting, dehumidifiers and temporary generators. Staff expects exterior coating work to conclude late February and put the tank into service in early March, weather permitting.
Brine hauling and ZLD costs: staff described a recent sample shipment to South San Luis Obispo Sanitation District that was returned for exceeding a turbidity limit by a narrow margin; operators have since installed filtration and have been hauling compliant, diluted brine for permitted discharge. Green and staff said a Global Water Innovations evaluation will provide capital and operating cost scenarios for the ZLD technology so the board can weigh whether the operational expenses justify the capital investment depending on Coastal Commission conditions.
Other items: staff reported completion of many energy conservation measures (ECMs) at the wastewater plant and progress on the AMI meter rollout and PG&E interconnection work. Staff also said the San Simeon basin experienced an extended dry period this year and that careful wellfield management limited over‑pumping.
Follow up: staff will bring a detailed ZLD capital/operational cost report and a proposed scope for stream‑bank stabilization work to a special meeting in February; those materials will include capital cost estimates and projected OPEX scenarios for board consideration.
