Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/850954
E n s u r i n g a S t r o n g F u t u r e 48 | P a g e Operations and Water Quality: Key focus Areas The key focus areas of the Operations and Water Quality Program are Water Recycling and Laboratory Services; Construction, Fleet and Facilities; Water Quality and System Operation; and Compliance. Water Recycling Facility and Laboratory Services The Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility (WRF) is an award winning water recycling facility that treats 2 million gallons of wastewater per day. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the demands of both our internal and external customers are met on a daily basis. The WRF is regulated under two discharge permits which ensure the public and environmental health is protected. These permits are very stringent and require the WRF treat wastewater using seven processes that rely on physical treatment, biological treatment, and/or chemical treatment to ensure permit limits are met at all times. These permits allow recycled water to be dispersed through the District's recycled water distribution system and discharged into Santee Lakes and ultimately the San Diego River. The recycled water distribution system is completely separate from the drinking water distribution system. The District is in the planning stages for WRF upgrades that will also support the Advanced Water Purification project. With an aging facility, staff must maintain, upgrade and replace parts, equipment and machines to ensure continued operations and compliance with regulatory permits. Staff works closely with Engineering to ensure most replacements and upgrades will be utilized in the upcoming upgrade. The WRF's laboratory is staffed 365 days a year. Lab staff is responsible for the physical and chemical analysis of water samples and providing data for the evaluation of treatment processes. Significant time is also spent in preparation and cleanup, and in the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the lab and its equipment. As aging equipment is retired, new equipment that offers connectability to the District network and features automated processes and data logging are purchased. Machines with advanced capabilities will help to ensure a high level of accuracy, eliminate human errors and increase efficiencies.