Water, Energy, & Environment Task Force | Antioch Desalination Tour

Please join EBLC's Water, Energy, & Environment Task Force on Tuesday, February 24 in Antioch for an in-depth exploration and tour of the Antioch Brackish Water Desalination Project, a model for successful water infrastructure development amid California's challenging regulatory environment.

Carollo Engineers will provide a brief technical overview of this innovative 6 MGD (million gallons per day) reverse osmosis facility, highlighting its efficient design, environmental considerations, and operational performance. Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who shepherded the project from conception through operations during his tenure as City staff and later as City Manager, will then share the inside story of how Antioch delivered this critical water supply project with unprecedented speed, community support, and positive press—a rarity for California water projects. The presentation will cover replicable approaches for agencies facing similar water quality challenges, including strategies for accelerated permitting in the Delta, effective stakeholder engagement, compelling ratepayer communications, and regulatory consensus-building.

The presentations will be followed by a guided facility tour where you will get to see the technology in action and meet the operations team.

LOGISTICS

Date & Location Change
Please note that this meeting will take place on the 4th Tuesday of the month instead of the normal 3rd and that we will be meeting in Antioch with no virtual option for attendance.

Parking
Parking is available in a lot at the entrance to the facility, right outside the main gate. After you park you may proceed through the gates and follow the signage to walk to the meeting room, which should take less than 10 minutes. If you would prefer not to walk, limited spots will be available on a shuttle that will go between the parking lot and meeting room.

Attire
Please be sure to wear close-toed shoes and clothes you're comfortable standing and walking in.

OUR SPEAKERS

Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal
Mayor Ron Bernal brings a unique perspective to water infrastructure development, having guided Antioch's groundbreaking Brackish Desalination Project through its complete lifecycle from multiple vantage points within City leadership. Beginning his involvement with the project as a City staff member and continuing this work after his promotion to City Manager, Bernal managed critical phases of planning, community engagement, and regulatory approvals while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Now serving as Mayor, Bernal continues to champion innovative water solutions and regional collaboration. His career trajectory from staff to City Manager to elected office provides rare insight into the technical, administrative, and political dimensions of delivering complex infrastructure projects. Mayor Bernal's leadership on the desalination project exemplifies how transparent communication, strategic stakeholder management, and persistent focus on community benefit can overcome the regulatory and public acceptance challenges that often plague California water projects. His presentation will draw on this comprehensive experience to provide practical guidance for agencies seeking to replicate Antioch's success.

Carollo Engineers Project Engineer Maddie Edwards
Maddie Edwards is a registered civil engineer with 8 years of experience focusing on water treatment and infrastructure projects. She has worked at Carollo Engineers since graduating with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley. Prior to that she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Texas, Austin. She served as Project Engineer for the City of Antioch Brackish Water Desalination Project, which was completed in Fall 2025.