State OKs county water project

A state health department approved plans for a new system that will

convert sewage water into drinking water, boosting the county’s water

supply.

The California Department of Health Services has given the Orange

County Water District the green light on plans for a Groundwater

Replenishment System.

The system would take treated sewage water from the county’s

sanitation district and, using a micro-filtration system, reverse

osmosis and an ultraviolet light disinfection process, purify it to

levels that meet state and federal drinking water standards.

Half of the purified water will be pumped into the saltwater

intrusion barrier. The other half will be pumped through a 13-mile

pipeline to percolation ponds in Anaheim, where it will sink into

county aquifers and blend with the groundwater. The system will

produce enough water to provide for an additional 140,000 families in

the county.

“The [California Health Department] concluded that it’s good, safe

and high quality,” Orange County Water District trustee Phil Anthony

said. “If they had said, ‘This is no good,’ that would have been the

end of it.

“[The state health department] reviewed the purification process,”

Anthony said. “They looked at the entire facility we’re building, the

process we’re using, how it’s done and how it’s controlled. They

looked at everything that will determine what the finished project is

and how reliable the quality is.”

Water district officials have vowed to comply with all of the

health department’s recommendations to protect drinking water

supplies.

“It’s an important new supply of water and very-high-quality

water,” Anthony said. “This water is so pure that it will actually

start reducing the saltiness of the groundwater.”

District officials predict the system will be ready by September

2003. More information on the Groundwater Replenishment System can be

found online at https://www.gwrsystem.com.

Environmental report for Pacific City now online

The environmental report for the Pacific City project has been

released. It can be found on the city’s Web site at

https://www.surfcity-hb.org.

The report also lists upcoming public meetings on the project.

Pacific City is slated to be built on a 31-acre property bordered

by Pacific Coast Highway, Atlanta Avenue and Huntington and 1st

streets. The development would contain a luxury resort, 516

townhouses, upscale shops, restaurants and office space.

The next public meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov.

13 at the Huntington Beach Central Library.

To access the report online, click on the announcement in the

right hand column on the home page of the city’s Web site.

Informational meeting

on city ethics policies

Mayor Connie Boardman will host an informational meeting in

November on the Brown Act, the city’s code of ethics, and conflicts

of interest.

The Brown Act is the legislation that sets open meeting rules for

elected officials. Conflict of interest rules are set by the Fair

Political Practices Commission. The city has its own code of ethics,

which was adopted by the City Council.

The meeting has been designed for members of city boards and

commissions, but is open to the public.

City Atty. Jennifer McGrath will present the information on all

three issues in the City Council Chambers from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5.

For more information, contact (714) 536-5577.

An evening at the art center for a good cause

The public is invited to gorge on gourmet food and wine, listen to

jazz and view local children’s art while helping the city’s art

center in its quest to raise money for educational programs.

This year’s goal for the Huntington Beach Art Center’s Brunch for

the Arts is $50,000 for programs at the center.

The event will feature a gourmet buffet with champagne and wines,

a display of children’s artwork and live entertainment from the Billy

Mitchell Trio. There will also be a silent auction.

The Brunch for the Arts will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nov. 16 at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.

To volunteer or for more information, call Diane Wadum at (714)

536-5258.