press release

July 17, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL WATER PLANT RECEIVES NATIONAL ENGINEERING AWARD

Sweetwater Authority's Richard A. Reynolds Demineralization Facility in Chula Vista, and its Urban Runoff Diversion System at Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley, were selected by the American Consulting Engineers Council to receive one of 16 national "Honor Awards" for the year 2000.

The award was presented to Sweetwater Authority "for fostering excellence in engineering design on the project," which was designed by Boyle Engineering Corporation of San Diego.

The project competed with 161 other projects submitted after winning state competitions throughout the United States. It was previously recognized by the Council's California Section, and by the American Society of Civil Engineers, where it earned "Outstanding Large Project of the Year," and "Outstanding Civil Engineering Project" awards for 1999.

The Reynolds Demineralization Plant, dedicated in October of 1999, produces 4 million gallons of drinking water daily from poor quality groundwater. The Sweetwater Reservoir Urban Runoff Diversion System captures and can divert runoff from entering the Sweetwater Reservoir, keeping pollutants and mineral salts out of the drinking water reservoir. The projects have also been awarded the San Diego Orchid Award for Environmental Solutions, and the Association of California Water Agencies' Clair Hill Award Finalist, "for excellence to further achievement in water resource management."

Editors' Note: Sweetwater Authority provides public water service to 175,000 residents of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita.