Tag Archive for: 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

For the fifth time, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District's 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility received statewide recognition from CWEA. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Named 2024 Plant of the Year

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (4S WRF) was named the statewide 2024 Plant of the Year (small division) by the California Water Environment Association at its recent annual conference in San Diego. The award recognizes the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operation.

In addition to being named California’s plant of the year, the facility received the same designation at the local level in February from CWEA’s San Diego Section.

The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is a repeat winner, winning this statewide recognition as Plant of the Year five times since 2019.

“There are over a thousand wastewater treatment plants in California, and our district is honored to have 4S WRF named as CWEA’s Plant of the Year at the state level for the second time in three years,” said Matthew R. Hahn, OMWD board president.

CWEA president Gilbert Barela (far right) presents the award to Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees John Onkka, recycled water program supervisor, and Jason Emerick, water reclamation operator. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

CWEA president Gilbert Barela (far right) presents the award to Olivenhain Municipal Water District employees John Onkka, recycled water program supervisor, and Jason Emerick, water reclamation operator. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

“The successful operation of the 4S WRF is a direct result of the support and collaboration across all areas of the District, including the Board of Directors, senior management, the 4S WRF operators, and all OMWD departments,” said John Onkka, recycled water program supervisor at the 4S Water Reclamation Facility.

Innovation Drives High Quality, Saves Treatment Costs for Ratepayers

Innovative practices at 4S WRF over the past several years include the installation of monitoring equipment that makes immediate adjustments in the treatment process, which stood out to the CWEA judges. The equipment not only keeps the facility in regulatory compliance but also reduces treatment costs for ratepayers. In addition, to obtain higher water quality and reduce energy costs, OMWD installed a more efficient ultraviolet disinfection system.

OMWD meets up to 15 percent of its overall demand with recycled water. 4S WRF can transform up to two million gallons of wastewater to recycled water each day. This alternative water supply reduces the use of drinking water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, schools, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.

OMWD Expands Access to Recycled Water in 2025

Construction is nearly complete at three sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

Construction is nearly complete at three sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Currently, OMWD is expanding access to its recycled water by identifying opportunities to connect more customers to its recycled water distribution system.

Construction is nearly complete at three sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. The completion of the pipeline extensions later this year will result in the conversion of 28 water meters from potable to recycled water, saving more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water annually.

Founded in 1928, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 10,000-plus wastewater industry professionals. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes safe and effective work practices.

 

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OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Recognized as California’s 2024 Plant of the Year

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Encinitas, Calif. — Today, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was awarded California Water Environment Association’s statewide 2024 Plant of the Year (Small) award at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego. The award acknowledges the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operation.

In addition to being named California’s plant of the year, the facility received the same designation at the local level in February from CWEA’s San Diego Section.

“There are over a thousand wastewater treatment plants in California, and our district is honored to have 4S WRF named as CWEA’s Plant of the Year at the state level for the second time in three years,” said OMWD President Matthew R. Hahn.

 

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OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Earns “Plant of the Year” Recognition

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its February 19 meeting California Water Environment Association San Diego Section’s 2024 Plant of the Year Award for the 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. The award acknowledges the facility’s innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective operations.

“Our operators work hard seven days a week to ensure that our wastewater treatment facility functions at the highest level while providing quality service to the communities we serve,” said OMWD President Matthew R. Hahn. “Our board is proud to have our facility recognized by CWEA for the second time in three years.”

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction on new recycled water pipelines in Encinitas. The expansion of OMWD’s recycled water distribution system will result in the savings of more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water each year. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Recycled Water Pipeline Projects Ensure Reliable Water Supplies for Olivenhain Municipal Water District

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District is beginning construction on new recycled water pipelines in Encinitas. The pipelines are part of a larger expansion of OMWD’s recycled water distribution system that will result in the savings of more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water each year.

This phase of the project involves installing pipelines on Summerhill Drive and Village Center Drive in Encinitas. Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Additionally, restricted work hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, will be in effect for any work directly impacting Diegueño Middle School.

Other project phases involved the construction of recycled water pipelines around Park Dale Lane and Gatepost Road in Encinitas, which are now complete, and along Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad, on which work continues. This project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2025. No impacts to customers’ drinking water supplies are anticipated.

Minimizing Traffic Disruptions for Customers

OMWD is coordinating with the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas on a traffic management plan to minimize traffic disruptions for residents and businesses during construction. Learn more in the video presentation below.

OMWD successfully secured approximately $900,000 in grant funding to make this project cost-effective for ratepayers. Specifically, both the US Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources are contributing grant funds to offset project costs.

Ensuring Safe, Reliable Water Supplies

By expanding the recycled water distribution system, OMWD will cut costs by replacing important drinking water with recycled water. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District pipeline projects

By expanding the recycled water distribution system, OMWD will cut costs by replacing important drinking water with recycled water. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD receives 100 percent of its drinking water supply from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Colorado River. These sources have become unreliable due to droughts and overuse.

Recycled water is locally produced, disinfected wastewater used for irrigation. It is a drought-resilient supply and costs less than potable water. In addition, using recycled water reduces the amount of treated wastewater discharged to the ocean and reduces our dependence on imported water from faraway sources.

OMWD has identified opportunities in Encinitas and Carlsbad to connect more customers to its recycled water distribution system. The completion of the pipeline extensions will result in the conversion of 28 water meters from potable to recycled water, saving more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water every year.

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District pipeline project

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD produces up to two million gallons of recycled water daily at its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. Additionally, OMWD is the lead agency of the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, a group of nine North County agencies that coordinate across jurisdictional boundaries to expand the reach of the recycled water.

As a result, OMWD now serves up to 15 percent of its overall demand from recycled water and continues to identify additional ways to make recycled water available to eligible customers.

Get the latest updates on OMWD’s dedicated projects page on its website: www.olivenhain.com/projects

 

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility-CWEA 2022 Plant of the Year

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Marks Milestone Recycled Water Anniversary

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Water recycling reduces the need to import or develop additional drinking water supplies. It is a vital water management strategy to ensure a safe, reliable, and locally controlled water supply to support healthy environments, robust economies, and high quality of life.

Water and wastewater agencies in San Diego County are developing or expanding their water recycling infrastructure. Among those at the forefront is the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. OMWD marks a significant milestone in August: the 20th anniversary of its award-winning 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility, which began serving high-quality recycled water for irrigation in August 2003.

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District's award winning 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility celebrates its 20th anniversary in August 2023. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s award-winning 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility celebrates its 20th anniversary in August 2023. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

OMWD annexed the 4S Ranch and Rancho Cielo Sanitation Districts from the County of San Diego in 1998. OMWD also took ownership of a small wastewater treatment facility in 4S Ranch. This facility had the capability to treat 0.25 million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater from the surrounding commercial center and condominium complex. Treated wastewater was disposed of by spraying it on nearby unimproved pastures.

Recognizing the significant development plans for the 4S Ranch area, OMWD expanded the capacity of the facility to 2.0 MGD. As part of this expansion, OMWD also incorporated additional treatment phases of filtration and ultraviolet disinfection, improving water quality. OMWD required area developers to install the entire recycled water infrastructure for their planned communities.

Today, the facility produces over one million gallons of recycled water per day. It is delivered to irrigation customers in the southeastern portion of OMWD’s service area for use at HOA common areas, schools, parks, streetscapes, and golf courses. Together with recycled water purchased from nearby water and wastewater agencies to serve customers in portions of Encinitas and Carlsbad, OMWD now serves up to 15 percent of its customers’ total water demand with recycled water.

“For 20 years, OMWD has proudly served 4S Ranch and neighboring communities with high-quality recycled water, reducing the use of drinking water for irrigation,” said OMWD Vice President Matthew Hahn. “As California continues to face water supply challenges, the expansion of our recycled water system strengthens our water supply reliability and promotes sustainable water management.

How water recycling helps build water reliability

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Mu recycled water

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its award-winning 4S Ranch facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Water recycling is the process of capturing and treating wastewater, for non-domestic purposes such as irrigation and industrial processes.

Water and wastewater agencies across San Diego County are developing or expanding their recycled water systems to reduce the need to import or develop other supplies.

Since 2003, OMWD has significantly increased its recycled water purchases through connections with neighboring agencies, including the City of San Diego, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, Rancho Santa Fe Community Services District, and Vallecitos Water District. OMWD now serves over two and a half million gallons of recycled water every day. Each year, OMWD installs additional recycled water pipelines and converts more customers from potable water to recycled water.

By 2027, the volume of recycled water produced in the U.S. is projected to increase 37% from 4.8 billion gallons per day to 6.6 billion gallons per day, according to a recent survey by Bluefield Research.

OMWD leadership in developing water recycling

SLIDER OMWD Year in Review

In 2021, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District completed several replacement and upgrade projects at its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

As a founding member of the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, OMWD works with nine northern San Diego County water and wastewater agencies across jurisdictional boundaries to reduce the impact of water supply shortages on San Diego County’s $268 billion economy. This regional approach has proven successful in developing local projects as well as obtaining $9 million in funding, significantly reducing the costs of water recycling projects for North San Diego County water ratepayers.

In addition, the Coalition has also secured federal funding of $23.8 million to help cover costs for water reclamation projects through 2025.

Expanding capacity for the future

Water and wastewater agencies across San Diego County including OMWD are developing or expanding water recycling projects, because every gallon of recycled water reduces the need to import or develop other supplies. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District recycled water

Water and wastewater agencies across San Diego County including OMWD are developing or expanding water recycling projects, because every gallon of recycled water reduces the need to import or develop other supplies. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

As it looks forward to the next 20 years, OMWD continues to expand its recycled water capacity. It began construction this summer on three recycled water pipelines near Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad and in Village Park in Encinitas. Once complete, OMWD can convert up to 27 meters to recycled water, offsetting 12.7 million gallons of potable water used annually for irrigation.

OMWD has long pursued alternative water supplies like recycled water, a reliable, drought-proof approach for complementing existing water sources.

The San Diego County Water Authority has supported the development of recycling projects for decades, through membership in groups such as the WateReuse Association and collaborative efforts to promote local reuse efforts. Approximately 35,000 acre-feet of recycled water is beneficially reused within the Water Authority’s service area annually, and the volume is expected to continue growing as new and expanded plants come online.

(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility-CWEA 2022 Plant of the Year

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Honored as California’s Plant of the Year

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was named 2022 Plant of the Year by the California Water Environment Association.

At its March 15 meeting, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors accepted the award as the CWEA San Diego section’s 2022 Plant of the Year. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s 4S Ranch WRF accomplishments in regulatory compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant operations.

Expanding the use of recycled water

“OMWD is dedicated to providing recycled water and wastewater treatment in a fiscally responsible and environmentally responsive method,” said Board Vice President Matthew Hahn. “Our board is proud to have our recycled water facility recognized at the state level as a first-class treatment plant that meets or exceeds all regulatory standards and demonstrates industry best management practices.”

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

OMWD has spent the last several years expanding the use of recycled water within its service area and raising public awareness of the importance of treating wastewater to be reused for non-potable uses like landscape irrigation. The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility can produce up to two million gallons of high-quality recycled water each day, reducing the use of drinking water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, schools, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.

Proactive maintenance saves customers money

CWEA’s award program recognizes proactive maintenance as a priority, as it helps to avoid costly emergency repairs and ensures continued wastewater and recycled water services for customers. 4S WRF operators maintain over 85 miles of sewer collection system pipelines, lift stations, a 410-acre-foot storage pond, and a one-million-gallon reservoir to provide wastewater and recycled water services.

Founded in 1927, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 9,000-plus professionals in the wastewater industry. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes sound policies to benefit society through protection and enhancement of our water environment.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD currently serves approximately 87,000 customers over 48 square miles in northern San Diego County.

(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Honored as California’s Plant of the Year

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was named 2022 Plant of the Year by the California Water Environment Association.

At its March 15 meeting, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors accepted the award as the CWEA San Diego section’s 2022 Plant of the Year. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s 4S Ranch WRF accomplishments in regulatory compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant operations.

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OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Earns Statewide Plant of the Year Honors

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was honored today by California Water Environment Association as its 2021 Plant of the Year (Small).

Presented during CWEA’s Virtual Conference and Expo, the award recognizes accomplishments with regard to regulatory compliance, innovative practices, employee development, cost-effectiveness, and other evidence of superior plant operations.

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4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Earns Plant of the Year Recognition

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted at its May 19 meeting California Water Environment Association San Diego section’s 2020 Plant of the Year Award for its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, and cost‐effectiveness.

“Our board is thrilled that 4S WRF has been recognized for industry‐leading procedures and techniques to produce high‐quality recycled water, increase water reliability, and operate safely, effectively, and economically,” said OMWD Vice President Kristie Bruce‐Lane. “We need to focus on keeping water affordable and accessible to everyone. Diversifying California’s water portfolio by investing more in recycled water is a critical strategy in doing so, now and for our future generations.”

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