Monte Vista Water District’s Nitrate Treatment Plant for Potable Water Production Begins Operation

The Envirogen SimPACK ion exchange system delivers uninterrupted groundwater treatment at Well 34

Monte Vista Water District (MVWD) has initiated operation of its nitrate treatment plant consisting of two SimPACK Regenerable Ion Exchange (IX) systems at Well 34, Montclair, California. The SimPACK unit was designed by Envirogen Technologies, Inc., specifically to remove nitrate from groundwater. Together, the two systems provide an uninterrupted potable water supply from the well.

Constructed in 2011, Well 34 was inactivated in 2018 due to groundwater pollution largely associated with industrial waste and historical farming practices. Nitrate levels exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water at 14 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of nitrate-nitrogen, with the state maximum established at 10 mg/L.

Prominent addition

The return of Well 34 to active service represents a prominent addition to MVWD’s overall water supply portfolio and forms part of the district’s broader long-term planning to diversify water sources and reduce reliance on variable quantities of imported water.

MVWD Chief Operating Officer, Mr. John Hughes, states “The plant plays an important role in our water supply and helps us maintain reliable drinking water service, particularly during periods of drought and uncertainty with imported supplies.

“State Water Project allocations have varied significantly in recent years. In response, the district has focused on strengthening local water sources, including expanding the use of groundwater.”

Envirogen’s solution comprises two containerized SimPACKs, which treat 2000 GPM (gallons per minute) of well water to reduce nitrate-N levels to at least 80% of the MCL (obtaining 8 mg/L at the effluent). With the start-up and commissioning of the nitrate treatment plant, the SimPACK units are producing a consistent effluent water quality that meets the potable water requirements necessary for the reinstatement of Well 34 into full operation.

Dr. Todd Webster, Vice President, Envirogen, states, “The severity of droughts suffered by California means that water utilities like Monte Vista Water District are developing creative solutions for the provision of potable water. We at Envirogen are pleased to be playing a role in that with the SimPACK process, which is an efficient, reliable, and robust treatment technology with the lowest life-cycle treatment costs. These SimPACK systems will help to ensure an uninterrupted potable water supply during water shortages."

The Envirogen solution was commissioned in Q4 2025 and comprises:

• Pre-filtration: Envirogen FluxFlo bag filters and bag filter housings to remove total suspended solids (TSS) greater than 5 microns.
• IX treatment: Two SimPACK regenerable IX treatment vessels housed inside engineered containers to protect against weather and tampering.
• Regeneration system: Fully automated and controlled via a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), utilizing Envirogen SimPACK control logic to minimize waste rates and salt consumption.

“Important step”

Hughes comments, “Bringing this nitrate treatment plant online is an important step for the district. It allows us to treat groundwater effectively and return this source to active use. The SimPACK system provides a reliable and efficient treatment approach that supports consistent water quality. This project also supports our ongoing efforts to improve system reliability and make better use of available groundwater resources as part of our long-term supply planning.”

The Envirogen SimPACK ion exchange system was delivered under a tight schedule, with the permitting and commissioning process running efficiently thanks to strong collaboration between the district and Envirogen staff.

With Envirogen’s local presence, MVWD and Envirogen continue to collaborate on the operation of the Well 34 plant, ensuring that MVWD staff have any critical technical support required.

SimPACK: https://www.envirogen.com/products/regenerable-and-single-pass-ion-exchange-systems/ 

About Envirogen

Envirogen is a leading international provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions. The company solves complex challenges relating to water availability and quality, and helps its customers to increase productivity, reduce costs and meet environmental and sustainability targets.

This is achieved through offering:

• Best in class water and wastewater treatment and process treatment technology
• Expertise in design, project management and engineering
• World class manufacturing and servicing capability

For more information, visit www.envirogen.com for the US and www.envirogengroup.com for the UK and Europe.