Congressman Jay Obernolte has secured
$960,000 to Replenish Big Bear
Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency
General Manager David Lawrence says
“We
appreciate Congressman Obernolte’s support and dedication to the Big Bear
Valley.
The Replenish Big Bear Project is a great
opportunity to improve
groundwater sustainability and enhance our
natural ecosystem.”
July 30, 2021__Washington D.C. ___
U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-08) secured $11 million in funding for
projects in the California 8th District that passed the U.S. House
of Representatives as part of this week’s major appropriations package. This
includes $960,000 for the Replenish
Big Bear Project aimed at providing a reliable and
sustainable local water supply.
“As the drought in California
continues to worsen, it is more important now than ever that projects like Replenish
Big Bear Project receive the funding they need to secure reliable
water resources for our community and protect our natural resources,” comments
Representative Jay Obernolte. “I am
proud to fight for funding to support this project and to bolster efforts to
recover and preserve our valuable water supply.”
The $960,000 in funding will go to the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency
(BBARWA) to support the Replenish Big Bear Project, a recycled water
project aimed at recovering local water resources currently discharged outside
the Santa Ana Watershed to replenish the local water supply, protect the Big
Bear Valley environment and strengthen the tourism industry that drives Big
Bear Valley’s recreation-based economy. Currently, about 800 million gallons of
water, or half of Big Bear Valley’s annual water supply, is disposed of each
year. Replenish Big Bear will recapture and treat this lost water to
drinking water standards and use it to enhance water levels in the local
groundwater basin, in Big Bear Lake, and in other area water bodies.
Excerpt
from: www.bbarwa.org
When the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency
(BBARWA) was formed on March 22, 1974, the goal was to implement the Regional
Wastewater Plan, which the Wastewater Planning Commission developed. Of primary
importance, was the need to meet short and long-term collection, treatment, and
disposal needs through a regional concept, while considering beneficial reuse
and environmental and economic constraints. Success was realized in March 1976
when the voters of the Big Bear Valley authorized the issuance of Sewer Revenue
Bonds for the construction of BBARWA’s facilities. As it was in 1974, BBARWA’s
goal is to continue to provide centralized, cost-effective, environmentally
friendly wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal for the entire Big Bear
Valley.
While the Equivalent Dwelling Units (“EDUs”) inventory
has become relatively stable, influent flows can fluctuate dramatically due to
weather and tourism. Today, providing these services has become much more
specialized and challenging due to the ever-increasing regulatory oversight,
new and evolving technologies, and additional stringent requirements. When the
Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency (BBARWA) was formed on March 22, 1974,
the goal was to implement the Regional Wastewater Plan, which the Wastewater
Planning Commission developed. Of primary importance, was the need to meet
short and long-term collection, treatment, and disposal needs through a
regional concept, while considering beneficial reuse and environmental and
economic constraints.
Success was realized in March 1976 when the voters
of the Big Bear Valley authorized the issuance of Sewer Revenue Bonds for the
construction of BBARWA’s facilities. As it was in 1974, BBARWA’s goal is to
continue to provide centralized, cost-effective, environmentally friendly
wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal for the entire Big Bear Valley.
While the Equivalent Dwelling Units (“EDUs”) inventory has become relatively
stable, influent flows can fluctuate dramatically due to weather and tourism.
Today, providing these services has become much more specialized and
challenging due to the ever-increasing regulatory oversight, new and evolving
technologies, and additional stringent requirements.
Today in 2021, the mission of BBARWA continues to effectively collect, treat and
beneficially reuse wastewater and bio-solids in an environmentally and fiscally
responsible manner.
Currently (2021), complying with COVID-19 guidelines,
BBARWA isn’t
open to the public.
Please call us.
Big Bear
Area Regional Wastewater Agency
121 Palomino
Drive
Post Office
Box 517
Big Bear
City, Ca 92314
Call: 909-584-4018
Visit: www.bbarwa.org
By Editor E T Russell
August 2021