Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility was awarded Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) San Diego Section. The award was presented to the Authority’s Governing Board Chair, Teresa “Terry” Thomas at the ASCE San Diego Section annual awards luncheon on May 4.
“The Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility provides local water at a cost less than imported water. It demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to thinking long-term and prioritizing projects that keep water rates as low as good service will allow. The Governing Board is proud of this project and the Authority employees who operate this large, intricate desalination facility 24/7/365 to deliver on the Authority’s promise of reliable water and quality service,” said Chair Thomas.
The state-of-the-art facility allows the Authority to provide its customers with a reliable, drought-proof local water source. The project’s sustainable design includes 2,950 ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels as an alternative energy source. The facility is named for former Authority general manager Richard A. Reynolds, who was the visionary for this project.
The Authority was also awarded with The Corky McMillin/Best of South County Award at the South County Economic Development Council’s 27th Annual Economic Summit in September for the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility.