The City of Thousand Oaks is considering a strategic move to enhance its water management system by tying into a proposed $300 million brine line from the Las Virgenes Water District (LVWD) reverse osmosis treatment plant. This line, which will run through Westlake Village to Newbury Park and discharge into the ocean, presents an opportunity for Thousand Oaks to connect its Hill Canyon wastewater treatment plant to the LVWD facility for advanced treatment and water reuse.
Potential Benefits for Thousand Oaks
The proposed connection could significantly reduce the city’s dependence on expensive imported water from the Metropolitan Water District. By utilizing the LVWD’s reverse osmosis capabilities, Thousand Oaks could achieve approximately 60% water independence. This move is projected to save residents around $600 per household annually and keep an estimated $24 million circulating within the local economy each year.
Kevin McNamee, a former city council member, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of adding a return pipeline while the trench for the brine line is being excavated. This approach would be far less expensive than constructing a separate city-owned reverse osmosis plant, which could cost up to $100 million, including transportation of water to the Calleguas system.
Funding and Future Considerations
The additional pipeline could be funded through city bonds, which would be repaid by the savings in water rates, potentially paying off the investment in five years. As water rates from the Metropolitan Water District continue to rise and droughts become more frequent, this initiative could prove to be a forward-thinking solution for the community.
While the project is still in its early stages, the city is encouraged to explore the feasibility of widening the trench to accommodate a future pipeline from Hill Canyon to the LVWD treatment facility. This proactive step could prevent future regrets about missed opportunities when the trench is already open.
Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.
