캘리포니아 연안 관광마을인 Cambria가 지역의 가뭄 비상사태를 처리하기 위한 방법으로 주의 담수화 플랜트를 짓기 위해 신속 승인계획(fast track approval scheme)을 사용했다.

이 시설은 캘리포니아 주지사 Jerry Brown에 의해 소개된 지난 해 긴급 법률 하에서 시행된 가장 큰 규모의 인프라 프로젝트 중 하나이다. 이를 통해 담수, 기수(estuary water), 고도의 하수폐수 처리수를 혼합함으로써 마을의 물 수요 1/3을 제공할 것으로 보인다.

 

 

 

California coastal tourist town Cambria has used the state's fast track approval scheme for measures to address its drought emergency to build a desalination plant scheduled to go on stream later this month after only six months in preparation.

 

The facility will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects undertaken under last year's emergency rules introduced by California governor Jerry Brown. It will provide about a third of the town's water demand through a mix of fresh water, estuary water and highly treated sewage wastewater. It makes Cambria one of the first towns in the state to recycle sewage wastewater as a drinking water source.

 

Cambria's water officials have battled for a desalination plant since the 1990s and the community has cut residential use rates by 40% which is double the rate Brown asked of all residents in an emergency water-saving plan. Environmental reviews, public hearings and lawsuits related to desalination projects in California typically take years.

 

San Luis Obispo County and local Cambria officials announced the water-plant project in May 2014, signing a US$13 million loan for the project. Customers will bear part of the cost through rate increases.

 

Supervising engineer for the Central Coast Water Quality Control Board, Harvey Packard, said "this is exactly what the governor had in mind with the proclamation." The declaration directed state officials to aid communities in need of water.

The drought has helped to destroy a quarter of the the rare Monterey pines for which Cambria is known.

 

Authorities have allowed the water district to obtain some permits as construction progressed and others will be allowed after the plant is in operation. A group of Cambria citizens sued the water district in October, saying authorities improperly skipped over environmental safeguards. State Coastal Commission officials warned the water district in July that the plant raised significant policy concerns.

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 1월 5일]