REGION — The United States Bureau of Reclamation has recommended a $6 million grant to a coalition of local water and wastewater agencies to develop reused water infrastructure in the region.
If approved by Congress, the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition will use the funds to support its Regional Recycled Water Program: 2020 Project, which seeks to increase water reuse in the region through expanded recycled water infrastructure.
The project includes connecting the coalition’s recycled water systems, installing new pipelines, and increasing recycled water storage capacity.
“This federal investment to strengthen our region’s recycled water infrastructure is crucial to meet demand and reliability,” said Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego). “Multi-agency projects allow us to stretch public resources and help accelerate results that will benefit the entire region.”
The coalition is a group of nine water and wastewater agencies in San Diego County working beyond jurisdictional boundaries to maximize recycled water use and reduce demand for imported water.
Through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, the Bureau of Reclamation provides financial and technical assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects.
“It’s great to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law making a difference,” said Rep Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano). “This investment will have a direct impact on the expansion of recycled water infrastructure and contribute to lessening our dependance on imported drinking water supplies. The collaborative approach taken by neighboring agencies is an exemplary way to strengthen the region’s resiliency to future droughts.”
Upon completion of all long-term project elements, an estimated 11 billion gallons per year of recycled water and potable reuse water will be added to northern San Diego’s water supply portfolio.
“Despite the recent wet winters, California water supplies remain in a very challenging position,” said Christy Guerin, board president of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. “This financial support from the Bureau of Reclamation will allow us to continue developing recycled water infrastructure to further reduce our dependence on imported drinking water.”
Upon congressional approval, this will be the third grant that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded the coalition in the last three years. The bureau previously committed $6.1 million in funds in August 2021, and another $17.8 million in August 2022.
The three grant awards, totaling nearly $30 million, will help cover costs for work performed through September 2025.
“For the Vallecitos Water District, the grant funding will be used to increase the size of the chlorine contact stage at our Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility in Carlsbad,” noted Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, board president of the Vallecitos Water District. “We will be able to increase the capacity of Meadowlark from 5 million gallons a day to 6.5 million gallons a day.”
Acccording to Boyd-Hodgson, the additional reclaimed water supply will be passed along to Carlsbad and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.
“Expanding our Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility isn’t just about increasing capacity, it’s about enriching partnerships and empowering sustainability,” Boyd-Hodgson said. “This growth means more than just gallons – it means a deeper commitment to enhancing water reuse with our valued partners.”
Construction is already complete on many of the grant-funded facilities, including nearly nine miles of recycled water pipelines in the northern part of Carlsbad, the replacement and upgrade of 850 feet of treatment plant pipeline in Leucadia, a new pump station located in the Encinitas Ranch community, a new flow meter and control valves in Fairbanks Ranch, and more than 8,700 feet of pipeline in Encinitas and San Diego providing additional customers with recycled water.
The Leucadia Wastewater District is also excited about the grant, according to General Manager Paul Bushee.
“The grant will certainly enhance the district’s ability to implement water recycling projects with the overall goal of fortifying the region’s water supply,” Bushee said.
Construction is starting for several additional project components, including an upgrade to Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District’s Beethoven and North Iris Pump Stations that will help distribute recycled water to the most northern and southern portions of Escondido.
“Rincon Water’s recycled water pump station upgrade program will improve the overall efficiency and reliability of the District’s recycled water distribution system,” said Rincon Water General Manager Clint Baze. “This will allow us to better meet the irrigation demands of existing, planned, and future developments.”
Meanwhile, Carlsbad Municipal Water District is building a new 1.5-million-gallon storage tank in the Aviara community to serve recycled water customers in the area.
“This award allows Carlsbad to keep recycled water rates more affordable and competitive with potable water rates,” said Dave Padilla, engineer and utilities assistant director for Carlsbad Municipal Water District. “We are pleased to be able to expand our system and reduce demand on potable water for irrigation needs. Ultimately, this grant award helps keep Carlsbad green, in more ways than one.”
In addition, Olivenhain Municipal Water District is constructing several new recycled water pipelines in Encinitas’ Village Park community, La Costa and 4S Ranch.
The City of Oceanside is building a 2.2-million-gallon storage tank, a supporting pump station, and installing over 6.5 miles of pipelines to provide recycled water to the Fire Mountain area.
“We are proud of our collaboration with the North San Diego County Water Reuse Coalition and grateful for this award from the Bureau of Reclamation,” said Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lindsay Leahy. “This award will support the building of a 2.2-million-gallon tank, pump station, and pipelines to increase recycled water use in Oceanside and further increase local, reliable supplies for our community.”
San Elijo Joint Powers Authority will use the funding to convert an existing 3-million-gallon reservoir to recycled water, expand its recycled water distribution pipeline system, and construct stormwater capture and reuse at the San Elijo Water Campus in Encinitas.
“We greatly appreciate this federal grant, which will be combined with local funding to build infrastructure that diversifies our water supplies, enhances system resiliency, and maximizes our stewardship of natural resources,” said San Elijo JPA Board Chair Kellie Shay Hinze, who also serves on Encinitas City Council.
In addition to federal funds, the project has previously received funding at the state level from California’s Department of Water Resources.
The project received grant funding totaling nearly $6.2 million on several occasions through the state’s Integrated Regional Water Management Program – administered locally in partnership with San Diego County Water Authority, County of San Diego and City of San Diego – which supports collaborative water management to increase regional self-reliance throughout California.
