Paso water plant plan gets membrane money 

Paso Robles is putting together the pieces for a water treatment plant planned to process water piped from Nacimiento Lake.

On March 5, the Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved nearly $1.6 million to fund the plant’s membrane, an essential component of the filtration system. The funding is part of the total $12.4 million allocated for the project, which is designed to enable the city to tap into its water allocation from the Nacimiento Water Project. Funding will come from the city’s water operation funds, which total $18.6 million.

When online, the water treatment plant will filter 2.4 million gallons a day, making it a crucial part of the city’s water supply. Paso Robles has been grappling with a diminishing amount of available water, and usage is expected to continue to increase.

Paso Water Resources Manager Christopher Alakel told the City Council that the membrane filtration system was chosen for its ability to handle the variation of water quality and conditions found in raw water from Lake Nacimiento. Once the design is complete, the council is expected to award the construction contract later this year.

-- Melody DeMeritt - former city council member, Morro Bay