Preservation of Water

City of San Diego Develops Thick Water Infrastructure
Sustainability Thickness Score
energy
4
water
9
atmosphere
4
habitat
3
Advanced water purification facility. © City of San Diego

Advanced water purification facility. © City of San Diego

City of San Diego Water System

To further it's long-term conservation goal, the City of San Diego will use advanced purification technology to treat recycled wastewater for potable use providing 83 million gallons per day of additional safe and secure drinking water by 2035. In addition, the Pure Water Program seeks to reduce water consumption by -16% annually compared to consumption in 2013.

ENTITY:

City of San Diego

Water System

ATTRIBUTES:

Water treatment plant with advance purification technology that treats wastewater for reuse as potable water. The Pure Water Program also captures methane from the treatment process to generate electricity, sources electricity from solar panels, and manages discharge into ocean habitat.

SUSTAINABILITY GOALS:
  1. Reduce consumption of water.
  2. Manage limited supply of water from the Colorado River.
SUSTAINABILITY ACTIONS:
  1. Build advanced purification treatment plant.
  2. Treat recycled water for potable use.
BENEFIT/ COST:

Strongly positive

SCALABLE:  

Yes

Solar Photovoltaics powering treatment plants. © San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Solar Photovoltaics powering treatment plants. © San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Ocean Monitoring: Measurement and management of treatmentplant discharge. © San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Ocean Monitoring: Measurement and management of treatment plant discharge. © San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Thickness Score

Natural Capital Benefits
Sustainability Thickness Score
energy

The San Diego water system captures methane gas at its treatment plants to generate electricity and reduce its demand for electricity from the grid. In addition, its treatment plants source energy from photovoltaic solar panels.

4

water

The Pure Water Program treats recycled water for potable use, an infrastructure system that is unique in the United States. The City is improving its infrastructure that recycles water for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and manufacturing, to reduce demand on its primary water source.

9

atmosphere

By drawing renewable energy from its solar panels and treatment plants, the City’s water system reduces its CO2 emissions.

4

habitat

The Pure Water Program reduces the discharge of treated wastewater into the ocean, maintaining the temperature of water at the point of discharge and preserving local habitat.

3

Investment Attributes

Senior Water Revenue Bonds

Series 2020A

Coupon:

5.00%

Maturity:

8/1/2045

Security:

Senior lien on Net Revenues

Ratings:

A3/AA-

Sector:

Energy, Water, Atmosphere, Habitat

Additional Info

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