• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

Times of San DiegoLogo

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Menu

Skip to content
  • All
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Arts
  • Military
  • Tech
  • Life
  • Opinion
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs
  • The San Diego Foundation Announces More Than $2.7 Million in Scholarships Available
  • Authorities ID Passenger Killed in Corvette Crash in Escondido
  • Man Robbed of Phone and Money By 2 Men Outside Banker's Hill Home
  • Man, 50, Stabbed By Another Man in Oceanside Parking Lot
  • SANDAG Begins Work on Bikeways for North Park and Surrounding Neighborhoods

Home » Politics » This Article

Lawmakers Prepare Emergency Bill to Save San Diego Recycled Drinking Water Project

Posted by Chris Jennewein on September 7, 2019 in Politics | 529 Views
| Comments | Leave a Comment
Share This Article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Pure Water San Diego demonstration plant
The Pure Water San Diego demonstration plan in Miramar. Courtesy of the city

San Diego lawmakers in Sacramento are preparing an emergency bill to stave off a legal challenge to San Diego’s $650 million recycled drinking water project.

Support Times of San Diego's growth
with a small monthly contribution

Become a supporter

Assemblymember Todd Gloria, with the support of Senate President Toni Atkins, is moving forward Assembly Bill 1290 to end a legal challenge over the use of union labor to construct the Pure Water San Diego recycling plant.

The innovative city project will provide one-third of the city’s water supply — approximately 83 million gallons per day — by 2035 using proven technology to recycle waste water. Construction was set to start on the first phase, but has been stalled by the dispute.

“In the midst of climate change and seemingly endless droughts, Pure Water is critical to our water supply reliability and conservation goals,” said Gloria on Friday. “Right now, this major investment is in jeopardy with millions of taxpayer dollars at stake.”

Gloria said his legislation will “save this project from almost certain failure and get it back on track.”

Since late June, the project has been stalled due to litigation claiming the project violates Proposition A — a 2012 ballot measure that prevents the city from mandating union labor on construction except when required by state or federal law. AB 1290 would end the legal dispute by making such an agreement a condition of receiving state funds.

The project’s cost is expected to increase by $4 million for each month of delay beyond August. Additionally, without legal certainty, the city could lose $647 million from the State Water Resources Control Board and could receive significant fines if it does not meet key milestones set by regulators.

“We have the opportunity to serve as a model on water recycling for the rest of the country, but we must act quickly,” said Atkins. “Further delays on the Pure Water project threaten its viability and needlessly waste taxpayer dollars.”

Lawmakers Prepare Emergency Bill to Save San Diego Recycled Drinking Water Project was last modified: September 8th, 2019 by Chris Jennewein

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here

Follow Us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Politics | Tagged drought, project labor agreement, Pure Water, recycling, Todd Gloria, Toni Atkins, unions
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs

Get Times of San Diego by Email

Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily.


Most Popular Today

  • Chris Matthews Flub Cited in San Diegan's Suit vs. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Chris Matthews Flub Cited in San Diegan’s Suit vs. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow 1,320 views
  • Poway Schools Urged to Cancel Talk by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Critic of Israel Poway Schools Urged to Cancel Talk by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Critic of Israel 600 views
  • 57-Year-Old Driver Not Wearing a Seat Belt Killed in Clairemont Collision 57-Year-Old Driver Not Wearing a Seat Belt Killed in Clairemont Collision 570 views
  • New USMCA Trade Deal Includes $300 Million to Stop Tijuana River Pollution New USMCA Trade Deal Includes $300 Million to Stop Tijuana River Pollution 230 views
  • County Can't Change Controversial Ballot Measure Limiting Housing Development County Can’t Change Controversial Ballot Measure Limiting Housing Development 190 views

©®2019 Times of San Diego LLC

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service