(2) Teaching Time

San Diego County has a number of water reclamation facilities,

but I chose to visit the one in South Bay, situated literally next

to the International Border between the United States and Mexico.

It was one of the oldest of such facilities, but it was also the closest

to the university.  The staff there were very gracious and really

provided me with an in-depth tour along with architectural designs,

operation manuals, etc.

I was really surprised how huge this facility was, in that it took a lot

of hiking around.  In more ways than one, it took my breath away.

Anyway, I came to learn that it was about purifying waste water,

so that it can be reclaimed.  The procedure was as follows: the waste

water would blow into what is called the Primary Sedimentation

Basins.  The solids would sink to the bottom of the tanks.  "Scum"

(grease and cooking oil)  would float to the surface.

The raw sludge is sent back to the sewer system, and after the

"scum" is skimmed, it, too, is returned to the sewer system.  After

these steps, the waste water mixes with bacteria that eat soluble

organic material; and, eventually, the waste water flows into what

is called Aeration Basins where diffused air is pumped into the

water.  At this point the bacteria start to ingest and digest the

organic solids.  There are continuous second stages to this process.

But, finally, the treated water can either be discharged into the ocean

or bay--or moved onto additional treatment for reclaimed

water applications.

After visiting the older water reclamation facility in the South Bay,

I arranged a tour at one of the newer Advanced Water Purification

Facilities that "met all applicable drinking water regulations."  The

oldest of these advanced water facilities was built back in 2011,

but several others followed since.  In a nutshell, as put: waste

water reuse has become a part of not only California's but the

nation's water supply portfolio.

There's very careful testing at these advanced facilities.  Such

testing included flushing out not only microbial contaminants 

and other pollutants, but also pharmaceuticals that aren't

regulated in drinking water.

Need I say that I was more than impressed by all the effort involved,

not only in the building of these special water reclamation facilities

but additionally the careful architectural design that supported the

process.  These water reclamation facilities proved to be an

"eye-opener" for me, so I fully expected they would impress my

students too!