Palmdale Regional Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Project

Summary

The Palmdale regional groundwater recharge and recovery project aims to secure a future water supply by storing water in aquifers during wet years for use during dry periods. Utilizing a mix of recycled and raw water from the state, the project includes pipelines, recharge basins, and recovery wells to naturally purify and store water. This forward-thinking initiative ensures a reliable water supply for up to 50,000 homes and demonstrates the Palmdale Water District's commitment to sustainable water management.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Palmdale regional groundwater recharge and recovery project is a crucial water supply investment for the future, aiming to address potential water deficits by 2021.
• 🛠️ The project involves storing water in aquifers during wet years for use during dry years, using a mix of recycled and raw water from the state water project.
• 📍 The project's orientation includes significant geographical features such as the California Aqueduct, Little Rock Creek wash, and Big Rock Creek wash.
• 💧 The Lancaster sub-basin is particularly suitable for groundwater recharge due to its large water storage capacity and proximity to recycled water sources.
• 🚰 A new turnout at the aqueduct is proposed to bring water to the project site, which includes nine miles of pipelines to transport water to recharge sites.
• ⚙️ The pipeline is designed to deliver water through a hydro turbine, generating energy from the water's flow.
• 🌿 Recycled water will be blended with state water project water and delivered to recharge basins for natural infiltration into the groundwater basin.
• 🔄 The recharge process involves water percolating at a rate of about 3 feet per day, undergoing natural purification as it moves through the soil.
• 🕰️ Water takes approximately 24 months to travel through the basin, which is longer than the six-month requirement for such systems, ensuring thorough purification.
• 🚧 The initial phase includes eight recovery wells, with the potential for 16 wells, capable of producing up to 30,000 acre-feet of water per year to serve up to 50,000 homes.
• 🏠 Recovery wells are housed in buildings to protect them from the elements and reduce noise impact on the community.
• 🔄 The recovered water is either chlorinated for direct delivery to customers or returned to the California Aqueduct for distribution to project partners.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the Palmdale regional groundwater recharge and recovery project?

The primary purpose of the project is to address the potential water supply deficit by storing water in groundwater aquifers during wet years for recovery during dry years, ensuring a reliable water supply for the future.

Who is Paul Nils and what is his concern regarding water supply by 2021?

Paul Nils is not mentioned in the transcript as having a specific role, but his concern is that the water supply could be running at a deficit by the year 2021, highlighting the need for the proposed project.

What is the source of water for the recharge project?

The water for the recharge project comes from a blend of recycled water and raw water from the state water project, specifically from the California Aqueduct which brings water from Northern California.

How many sub basins are within the Palmdale Water District service area, and which one is best suited for groundwater recharge?

There are three sub basins within the Palmdale Water District service area. The Lancaster sub basin is uniquely suited for groundwater recharge due to its immense water storage capacity and other favorable conditions.

What is the proposed infrastructure for bringing water to the new project site from the California Aqueduct?

The proposed infrastructure includes a new turnout at the aqueduct and nine miles of pipelines to carry the water to the strategically selected recharge site.

How will energy be generated as part of the groundwater recharge and recovery project?

Energy will be generated through a hydro turbine that utilizes the available water head to produce energy as the water is delivered through the pipeline.

What is the approximate rate at which water will percolate in each recharge basin?

Water will percolate in each recharge basin at an approximate rate of 3 feet per day.

How long does it take for the water to travel through the recharge basin and reach the recovery wells?

The travel time for the water through the basin to reach the recovery wells is approximately 24 months.

What is the potential production capacity of the recovery wells in terms of acre-feet of water per year?

The initial phase of the project proposes eight recovery wells with the potential for sixteen wells at project completion, which could produce between 15,000 to 30,000 acre-feet of water per year.

How will the recovered water be treated before delivery to customers or the California Aqueduct system?

The recovered water will be either chlorinated for delivery to water customers or returned to the California Aqueduct system for delivery to project partners.

What measures are taken to protect the well and shield the community from the working noise of the recovery wells?

Each recovery well will be housed in a building to protect the well from the elements and to shield the community from the working noise of the well.