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1. What is the VenturaWaterPure Program?

VenturaWaterPure is a purified recycled water, also known as potable reuse, program that will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary.

This program will divert treated water from Ventura’s wastewater treatment facility to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility, where the water will be treated to drinking water standards and then injected into a local groundwater basin for storage, and later extracted and delivered to customers.

Advanced purification involves multiple treatment processes. This treatment begins at the existing Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF), which will be upgraded with Membrane Bioreactors and an Ultraviolet (UV) Light disinfection system. This treated water will then be sent to the new Advanced Water Purification Facility, which will further treat water using Reverse Osmosis (RO), additional Ultraviolet Light, and Advanced Oxidation (UV / AOP).  This proven approach, known as potable reuse, is currently used throughout California, other States, and internationally and is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water. 

2. How does the program work?

The VenturaWaterPure Program includes a network of infrastructure designed to recover, treat and reuse water that was previously discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary.

STEP 1. Currently, wastewater from the City of Ventura is sent to the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF), where it’s treated and cleaned before being discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary. The VWRF is being upgraded with a Membrane Bioreactor and Ultraviolet (UV) Light disinfection, which will provide a higher quality of water than currently produced.

STEP 2. Water from the VWRF is sent to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) for reuse. Using a scientifically proven process, the AWPF will treat water to drinking-water standards, creating a reliable, locally controlled, and high-quality water source. 

STEP 3.  The purified water will then be injected into a local groundwater basin and later distributed to Ventura Water customers.

The concentrate generated during the treatment process will be sent to an ocean outfall for disposal.

3. What are the benefits of VenturaWaterPure?

The VenturaWaterPure program will allow Ventura to meet legal requirements, improve water quality, and secure a new local source of drinking water that is drought resilient. Program benefits include:

• Drought Resistant. Creates a drought-resistant, reliable water supply that isn’t dependent on rain.
• High-Quality. Provides a high-quality drinking water supply that meets and exceeds water quality standards.
• Environmentally Protective. Meets regulatory requirements by reducing water discharge into the estuary, creating a natural environment that can support endangered species. 

4. How does VenturaWaterPure help with Ventura’s water supply?

VenturaWaterPure will produce approximately 3,600 AFY of new locally controlled water supply by 2027 and up to 5,400 AFY by 2032.

5. What are the program components?

1. Membrane Bioreactor/UV: New treatment at the VWRF that provides high-quality water for the new AWPF, existing reuse customers, and discharges to the Santa Clara River Estuary.  
2. Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF):  a new facility to treat wastewater from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF) to drinking water standards.  
3. Land: land required for the AWPF facility and groundwater injection sites. 
4. Injection/Extraction Wells:  groundwater wells for injection and extraction of purified water.  
5. Pipelines: to convey treated water between the VWRF and AWPF and from the AWPF to the injection wells. 
6. Pump Stations:  required to transport water at multiple steps in the treatment process. 
7. Ocean Outfall:  new infrastructure needed to discharge concentrate generated 

6. How will the water be treated?

VenturaWaterPure will use a multi-step advanced water purification process to create a high-quality drinking water product.

This treatment begins at the existing Ventura Water Reclamation Facility, which will be upgraded with Membrane Bioreactors and an Ultraviolet Light disinfection system. This treated water will then be sent to the new Advanced Water Purification Facility, which will further treat water using Reverse Osmosis (RO), additional Ultraviolet Light, and Advanced Oxidation. This proven approach is currently used throughout California, other States, and internationally and is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water.

7. Is potable reuse safe?

Yes. Potable reuse is regulated using the same rigorous state and federal standards as all other drinking water sources. With advanced water purification, water is treated to a level that exceeds current drinking water standards and is monitored extensively to ensure public health and safety.

In California, the permits for the use of potable reuse are granted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and its nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB). The Division of Drinking Water within the SWRCB sets and oversees the regulations for Drinking Water. These regulations are among the most stringent in the world. 

8. Has Ventura tested advanced treatment?

Yes. In 2015, Ventura Water partnered with the Water Research Foundation to develop a potable reuse demonstration facility. The facility tested advanced treatment on a small portion of the City's tertiary-treated effluent, also known as “recycled water,” which provided valuable data on the performance of purification technologies and opportunities for public outreach and education.

The Demonstration Facility included a system of multiple barriers (treatment components) and extensive testing designed to prove the concept of potable reuse. The Demonstration Facility met all drinking water standards and allowed the public to understand and gain confidence in potable reuse technologies.

Additionally, Ventura Water has recently partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to host a second VenturaWaterPure Demonstration Facility at the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility.  The advanced treatment equipment is being loaned to the City of Ventura free-of-cost from the USBR for up to five years. The Demonstration Facility will provide valuable opportunities for water quality testing and community outreach. Samples will be analyzed for common parameters (chlorine, pH, turbidity), biological constituents, viruses, pathogens and more. The facility is anticipated to be available for public tours soon.

9. Is Ventura the first to use this technology?

No. Many communities in California and across the nation are implementing advanced water purification systems similar to the VenturaWaterPure Program. Potable reuse is currently being used in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Monterey, and Oceanside. Additional water agencies in San Diego, Santa Clara Valley, Pismo Beach, Las Virgenes, Carpinteria, and Oxnard are planning to implement potable reuse projects in the upcoming years, along with many others.

10. What are the major program milestones?

11. When will the program be complete?

The City of Ventura is required by the Tertiary Treated Flows Consent Decree to begin diverting effluent flows from the Santa Clara River Estuary to beneficial reuse by end of 2027.

12. How much will the program cost?

VenturaWaterPure includes several project components including a new advanced treatment facility, an ocean outfall, injection and extraction wells, pipelines, pump stations and more. The total capital costs for the program are currently estimated at $259 million.

13. What is the impact to ratepayers?

On May 17, 2021, Ventura City Council unanimously approved five-year water and wastewater rate increases. Beginning July 1, 2021, the average Ventura household may see a $7.76 increase on their monthly bill, with similar increases over the next 5 years.

Over the course of eight public meetings and nearly a year of deliberation, the Water Commission, in partnership with City staff and a third-party financial consultant, underwent an extensive water and wastewater rate study to evaluate the City’s water rate tiers, water shortage rates, wastewater rate structure, and financing options for major projects.

Rate increases will support both daily operation and maintenance of the City’s existing water and wastewater systems, along with approximately 36 planned capital improvement projects, including the long-anticipated State Water Interconnection Project and VenturaWaterPure Program.