San Jose Water Company

The newly renovated Montevina Membrane Purification Plant within the Santa Cruz Mountains resumed water treatment operations late last year. Thanks to advanced filtration technology upgrades, the Plant can now continuously process water during severe winter storms, which was impossible with the previous treatment facility. This enhanced capability to utilize a local water source benefits our customers by providing high-quality, cost-effective water.

For the filtration system, SJW selected BASF/inge ultrafiltration membranes. These innovative membranes filter water from the membrane's interior and are constructed from polyether sulfone (PES), a durable material guaranteed to experience minimal breakage under standard operating conditions. These membranes also offer energy efficiency benefits, requiring relatively less power to push water through their 20 nanometer pores (a human hair is approximately 40,000 times larger than these membrane pores).

SJW constructed the facility using an innovative design-build approach. This process allowed SJW to collaborate with design contractor HDR on membrane selection and implement several design modifications as operational implications became apparent. Improvements included incorporating adequate management space and an analytical laboratory within the original plant's footprint, as well as redesigning the Solids Handling Facility to ensure peak production during winter storms.

Additional enhancements featured security upgrades, remote operation capabilities for the Solids Handling Facility, and repurposing former settling lagoons as emergency storage for settling basin sludge during equipment failures or prolonged winter storms. This project exemplifies SJW's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality water at minimal cost. The new Plant is the largest drinking water facility with this membrane type in the United States and is expected to provide customers with superior, affordable water from a local source for the next four decades.

CITY OF WORTHINGTON WATER USE RESTRICTIONS

Section 53.04 of the City of Worthington Code of Ordinances outlines the odd-even water regulations. Water users with odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered days of the month, while users with even-numbered addresses may water only on even-numbered days. Additionally, water use is restricted between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and will help us avoid implementing additional water use restrictions. Please call 372-8680 with any questions.

DISCHARGE OF SUMP PUMPS

Worthington Public Utilities reminds customers that discharging sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system violates City Ordinance and is subject to fines. This practice creates excessive flows that can exceed the sewer system's design capacity and cause treatment process bypasses. Sewer backups and flooding of neighboring basements may also occur. Please direct all sump pump discharge to an appropriate outdoor location. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. For questions, please call 372-8680.