MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the opening of the new P-110 Wastewater and Reclaimed Water Conveyance System Facility, was held aboard Camp Pendleton, June 24.
Representatives from the local government, regulatory officials and dignitaries from the City of Oceanside and San Diego County were present for the ceremony. The facility was opened after 35 months of construction.
Camp Pendleton is striving to reduce its water consumption by 16 percent by the year 2015, in accordance with guidance from Gen. James T. Conway, 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In addition to the already fully operational Tertiary Treatment Plant P-002, the completion of P-110 will allow Camp Pendleton to develop an extensive system to irrigate green spaces in several areas in the southern region of the base.
Construction included the installation of pumps and pump stations, piping, irrigation systems, storage basins, standby power, new electrical power service systems and remote monitoring and controls.
Included were three wastewater pump stations, all capable of pumping between two and three million gallons a day, and five recycled water pump stations, the largest, capable of processing four million gallons.
According to the San Diego Water Department, reclaimed water is cleaned wastewater from homes and businesses.
Water from sinks, toilets and indoor plumbing goes to a treatment facility to remove bacteria and pollutants. Treated wastewater undergoes extensive testing to ensure it meets strict standards set by the California Department of Health Services. Though considered to be non-potable, there are several beneficial uses for the reclaimed water.
In addition to the new plant, other plans are being developed for branch lines to carry reclaimed water. This will allow irrigation of housing area greenbelts, athletic fields, training areas and parade fields.
“We have plans to use (reclaimed water) in carwash sites, dual piping in our bachelor enlisted quarters; hopefully in the next couple of years, we will be using recycled water in toilets and urinals,” said Col. Gary W. Storey, Assistant Chief of Staff facilities.