Water Reclamation

In an area that fights cycles of drought and floods, water management is a crucial component of any successful plan, especially as we face an uncertain climate future. 

Supplying sufficient water to the planned Vandenberg Dunes project was always the greatest obstacle. Through the course of the project The Larkin Group had to repeatedly adjust to changing conditions and rapidly strategize effective new water plans.

Our most recent proposal would have used cleaned produced water (oil water) for aquifer recharge of the Barka Slough, which is in danger of overdraft. Vandenberg Space Force Base, as well as many farmers and surrounding neighbors depend on the Slough as a primary water source. 

We are currently testing the latest technologies to clean this water to high quality standards so that it meets environmental regulations and is a proven benefit to the community.

Produced Water Production

The Larkin Group is working in conjunction with engineering groups and water specialists to investigate the feasibility of using produced water – water that is brought up as part of the oil drilling process – as a source of irrigation and potentially, drinking water. Produced water comes from enormous bodies of water deep in the earth, located under the aquifers we now use. Instead of just re-injecting the produced water back into the ground, we are looking into cleaning it to provide a much-needed addition to our stressed water supply.

This technology is currently being used in the Central Valley for agriculture, viticulture, and support of aquifers and species. Arroyo Grande is using it to enhance the Pismo Creek steelhead trout fishery.

Wastewater Conversion

The Larkin Group has also been working with MNS Engineers to develop plans to treat human wastewater. The system would convert human wastewater through a reverse osmosis treatment plant with proven and licensed technology.

We believe that system can be improved by adding BrightWater HDC’s proprietary approach to increase efficiency and reduce operating & management expenses. 

The focus of BrightWater’s recent work is lowering the overall cost, energy use, footprint, and chemical additives necessary to treat municipal wastewater.