FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Matthew McElhenie, General Manager

Email: mmcelhenie@cambriacsd.org

March 23, 2026

Press Release

Cambria, CA — The Cambria Community Services District is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Zero Liquid Pilot project, which could significantly improve the community’s long-term water reliability (see attached report). The project focused on one of the most difficult challenges in water treatment: what to do with brine, the concentrated saltwater left over after producing drinking water. In simple terms, when we treat water locally, we currently lose a portion of it as waste. This pilot tested whether we could recover most of that lost water and put it back into use.

The results were substantial. The technology tested in Cambria increased water recovery from typical levels in the 80 percent range to nearly 99 percent, meaning almost all water entering the system can be reused. For a community like Cambria, where every drop matters, that represents a major step forward. This is about getting more water out of the supply we already have. Instead, we are maximizing what we already pump, treat, and manage locally.

Today, a portion of treated water becomes waste that must be managed or disposed of. This new process dramatically reduces that waste and turns it back into usable water. It also reduces the amount of brine that must be handled, which has long been one of the most expensive and challenging parts of water treatment.

Preliminary estimates indicate the system would cost approximately $3.5 million to construct, using a modular setup similar to the one tested locally. Once built, the system is expected to operate at roughly one cent per gallon in ongoing costs for power, chemicals, and maintenance. The District recognizes that affordability is critical. As a result, no decisions have been made, and any future implementation would be pursued with a strong focus on outside funding. The District will actively pursue state and federal grant opportunities to offset, or potentially cover, a significant portion of the capital cost, reducing the burden on local ratepayers.

The pilot project has provided real-world data specific to Cambria’s water system, confirming that this technology works under local conditions. The District has requested detailed proposals and will continue evaluating feasibility, costs, and funding opportunities before bringing any potential project forward for public consideration. This does not commit the community to a project. What it does is give us a proven option, backed by local testing, that we can pursue responsibly if it makes financial and operational sense.

Cambria has long faced water supply challenges, particularly during drought conditions. This pilot represents a new approach that uses existing water far more efficiently. This is another tool in the toolbox, and it could make a meaningful difference in how we manage water in the future.

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