SAN DIEGO — The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC CA) selected the Camp Pendleton Seawater Desalination Project Feasibility Study for a 2012 Engineering Excellence Honor Award. RBF Consulting (RBF), a company of Michael Baker Corporation, prepared the comprehensive feasibility study for the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) for a 50 to 150 million-gallon-per-day seawater desalination facility located on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The Water Authority retained RBF to study over 15 alternative desalination plant sites; analyze alternative seawater intake options and brine discharge options, including hydrodynamic modeling; prepare conceptual designs of intake facilities, discharge facilities, desalination facilities, power generation facilities, and a product water conveyance system including 13 miles of new large-diameter pipeline and three pump stations; and prepare numerous technical memoranda covering a wide range of engineering, site planning, environmental, and project implementation issues.

"RBF is pleased to play an important role in the Water Authority's plan to develop a new, safe, and drought-proof water supply that would help alleviate Southern California's water supply crisis," stated Paul Findley, vice president, RBF Consulting. "This feasibility study lays the groundwork for a seawater desalination facility that would be one of the largest desalination facilities in the United States."