[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE PADRE DAM ADVANCED WATER 
                 PURIFICATION DEMONSTRATION PILOT PLANT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exciting event 
that took place in my district this past week on April 10, 2015, by the 
Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The Grand Opening of the Padre Dam 
Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Pilot Plant in Santee, 
California is an important and critical step in the overall effort by 
San Diego County to become more water independent as a region and 
maintain the very best in our water management practices.
   We all know that California is currently in the midst of a severe 
multi-year drought, but ensuring our communities can rely on being 
provided with clean and healthy water has been the mission of Padre Dam 
for many decades. In fact, on this same day in 1962, founding General 
Manager of Padre Dam Ray Stoyer wrote to President Kennedy 
complimenting him on his commitment to the science of water management 
innovation and requesting his assistance in a groundbreaking water 
reclamation study and project at Padre Dam. President Kennedy supported 
the District's reclamation efforts and today the appropriately named 
Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility treats and recycles more than two 
million gallons of water per day. Over the years, these efforts have 
been recognized by the California Water Environment Association, which 
awarded this facility its ``California Plant of the Year'' designation 
in 2005, as well as naming it ``San Diego Plant of the Year'' multiple 
times in 1977, 1978, 1981, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2010.
   I am pleased to see that this proud tradition is being carried on 
with Padre Dam's most recent effort in its Advanced Water Purification 
Demonstration Pilot Plant. Funded through a $3 million state grant, 
this innovative project will test the feasibility of creating a new 
source of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 acre feet of purified water for 
East San Diego County. If successful, this project has the potential to 
provide up to 20% of our current drinking water demand via a locally-
controlled, independent, drought-proof and environmentally sound water 
supply, thereby reducing our dependency on outside sources of imported 
water.
   California's current drought conditions, coupled with San Diego's 
historical reliance on imported water, mandate that we pursue every 
alternative that will lead to the San Diego region expanding its 
resource portfolio and utilize an ``all the above'' approach to water 
management. This includes traditional efforts such as conservation and 
reservoir and aquifer storage, as well as taking advantage of new 
technologies and science in the areas of desalination and reclamation 
projects like the one developed by Padre Dam which we are today 
recognizing.
   My colleagues, I ask that you join me in congratulating Padre Dam 
Municipal Water District for its forward-thinking vision and 
willingness to pursue new ideas on an old, but important, problem. 
Everyone at the District, from leadership to all members of staff, is 
making a direct positive impact in our community and I am confident 
that your investment will prove to be valuable in helping us reach both 
our short and long-term water management goals.

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