News

Encinitas’ Village Park Neighborhood One Step Closer to Receiving Recycled Water

Olivenhain Municipal Water District and San Elijo Joint Powers Authority held a valve-turning ceremony this morning at Wiegand Reservoir in Encinitas to mark the completion of the first phase of the Village Park Recycled Water Project linking the two agencies’ recycled water distribution systems.

With the completion of this phase of the project, SEJPA can now supply recycled water from its San Elijo Water Reclamation Facility to OMWD’s Wiegand Reservoir. Construction continues on nearly seven miles of recycled water distribution pipelines from Wiegand Reservoir to future recycled water customers in the Village Park neighborhood. Upon completion in 2016, the Village Park Recycled Water Project will provide recycled water to eligible OMWD customers in Village Park, offsetting up to 350 acre feet of potable water use every year.

“We’re taking a proactive approach to diversifying our water supply and reducing our dependence on imported water,” said Ed Sprague, OMWD Board President. “During this time, it’s more important than ever that water agencies pursue projects that will protect ratepayers over the long term. The Village Park Recycled Water project does just that.”

“Recycled water projects are becoming a critical tool in the fight against this drought,” explained Larry Watt, OMWD Treasurer. “This project is a thoughtful and efficient approach to bringing recycled water to neighborhoods that can benefit from it most.”

The Village Park project is an element of the larger North San Diego County Regional Recycled Water Project—a collaborative effort among ten North County water and wastewater agencies that coordinate across jurisdictional boundaries. The North County project has been awarded nearly $5 million in grant funds since the coalition was established in 2009.

Recycled water is safe, sustainable, and a locally produced resource. OMWD currently delivers nearly 2 million gallons of recycled water daily for landscape irrigation at schools, parks, homeowner association common areas, street landscaping, and golf courses.

“This project creates drought-proof water for Encinitas’ schools, parks, and greenbelts,” said Mark Muir, Encinitas Council Member and SEJPA Board Member, “and it’s a great example of local agencies working together to develop cost-effective solutions.”