R23AP00475

The recipient is a California water district, located in Orange County, California, which provides drinking water, sewage collection and treatment, and recycled water to a population of approximately 447,200.

The recipient owns and operates one of the most robust recycled water systems in the nation, with two water recycling plants, hundreds of miles of recycled water pipeline, and thousands of metered customer connections. They have four recycled water seasonal storage reservoirs, including the Syphon Reservoir, which are filled with recycled water during periods of low demand (winter months), and then water is withdrawn during periods of high demand (summer months).

The recipient is limited in its existing storage capacity and therefore is unable to maximize the use of its recycled water supplies. Due to limited storage capacity, during periods of low demand, the surplus recycled water and/or excess treated sewage effluent are discharged to the ocean. During periods of high demand, the recipient must purchase imported water to supplement its recycled water system. Based on projected demands, it is estimated that they will need an additional 4,500 acre-feet (AF) of usable storage by year 2030 in order to maximize the use of recycled water and minimize discharges to the ocean.

The Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project includes replacement of the existing 59-foot high dam with a new 138-foot high embankment dam. Additional facilities would include construction of a drainage system, inlet outlet facilities, access road, and spillway. Objectives of the project include:

- Improve water supply reliability through the development and use of additional seasonal storage of recycled water.
- Provide a new supply to offset regional imported water.
- Reduce wastewater discharges to the ocean and maximize recycling of sewage.
- Improve water management and operational flexibility.
- Establish community involvement and education of recycled water.
- Enhance and construct riparian wetland habitat.
- Provide fire for fighting wildfires.
- Reduce overall energy use.
- Provide potential recreational opportunity.
- Reduce diversions from state and federal water supplies.

Irvine Ranch Water District

15.504 - Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse

USBR Lower Colorado Basin Region, Boulder City, NV (LC) [DOI - USBR]

Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) [DOI]

Irvine, California United States

City-Wide

WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Act Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects (R22AS00115)

Infrastructure $12,245,625 (50%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/25 to 01/31/28 and the total obligations have increased 100% from $48,982,496 to $98,180,000.