A little history...
During the economic boom of the late 1980s, San Diego County experienced tremendous growth. During this time, the first portion of 4S Ranch was developed. This development included a 360-unit condominium complex and a high-tech industrial park. In order to serve the sanitation needs of this development, the County of San Diego built a small wastewater treatment plant, which treated less than 100,000 gallons of wastewater per day and disposed of the treated water using spray irrigation. This treatment facility served the region well for the next several years. Then, in 1998, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, the water supplier for the region, annexed the sanitation district from the County, and became the proud owner of the wastewater treatment plant.

Why would OMWD want to get into the wastewater treatment business?

OMWD considered the future water supply needs of its customers. OMWD currently relies on imported water for 100% of its potable (drinking) water supply. To reduce its dependence on imported water, OMWD has turned to alternative sources of water, including recycling water locally. However, the small 4S Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant would not have been capable of treating the additional wastewater flows from further development of the 4S Ranch area. OMWD took this opportunity to expand the plant, creating a water reclamation facility that incorporates "tertiary" treatment and disinfection processes, substantially increasing the treated water quality. The expansion increased the treatment capacity of the plant to two million gallons per day, and every drop of the recycled water generated is beneficially used to irrigate landscaping along slopes, medians and parkways. Use of recycled water reduces the demand for potable water, and because this water is generated locally, we can provide it at a lower cost to our customers.

For More Information

• See these documents:
  
  • Standard Sewer Notes
  • Sewer Build Out Flow Study (21 MB)
    
  • Rules and Regulations for Use of Sewer Facilities
• Visit the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
• Contact OMWD Operations Manager Tom Kennedy by email or via phone at 760-632-4647