Brine Demonstration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025070366
Public Agency
Eastern Municipal Water District
(EMWD)
Document Title
Brine Demonstration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/9/2025
Document Description
The Brine Demonstration Project is a pilot project that will test flow reversal reverse osmosis (FRRO) technology’s ability to yield a high reverse osmosis (RO) recovery rate when treating brackish water. The conventional RO technology currently utilized at EMWD’s Desalination Complex has an average recovery rate of 80% and the FRRO technology used for the Brine Demonstration advertises a potential maximum recovery rate of 95%. A FRRO pilot skid would be installed on-site at the Desalination Complex and its ability to treat brine waste from the Complex’s existing RO skids as well as feedwater would be tested over a period of four months. The purpose of this project is to determine if FRRO is a viable technology that can be utilized at the Desalination Complex based on its ability to yield high recovery rates, which would help EMWD increase potable water supply and decrease costs associated with brine disposal. The beneficiaries of this project are EMWD ratepayers.
Contact Information
Name
Martha Vilchis
Agency Name
Eastern Municipal Water District
Job Title
Water Resources Specialist Assistant I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Menifee
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Zip
92586
Other Location Info
29397 Murrieta Rd
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Art. 19, Sec. 15301(a)
Reasons for Exemption
Implementation of the project would consist of the installation of the FRRO pilot skid and testing of the technology, which is a minor alteration to the existing Desalination Complex facility. There would be negligible to no expansion of use of the Desalination Complex, as this is a pilot project.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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