Tour: Wastewater Treatment Plant (Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant)

Event: Tour: Wastewater Treatment Plant (Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant)
Date: Tuesday, December 8
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: SMWD Headquarters: 26111 Antonio Parkway, RSM
Register at smwd.com/m/newsflash/home/detail/401
A tremendous amount of effort is required to import water into Southern California. It's too valuable to use just once, so SMWD makes it a priority to reuse it as much as possible. 25% of SMWD's total water demand is met with recycled water.
Much of Southern California has always relied on imported drinking water. Since 1964, when SMWD was founded, it has invested in infrastructure to reuse its imported water and store it locally. In fact, SMWD set a strategic goal to recycle 100% of its wastewater. In 2020, with the completion of OC's largest recycled water reservoir, Trampas Canyon, the goal was achieved. However, in 2021, SMWD expanded its service area to include San Juan Capistrano, which has less recycled water infrastructure. SMWD refocused its strategic goals and will recycle 100% of its wastewater by 2030.
Recycled water is safe, reliable, and sustainable for watering common areas, parks, and medians. Using recycled water for outdoor watering is an environmentally responsible and cost-effective way to maintain green landscapes year-round. It has been used safely in the United States since 1929.
How is Recycled Water Made?
Recycled water is a product of highly treated wastewater. Wastewater from the local community (e.g., sinks, showers, toilets) is collected and treated at one of SMWD’s two wastewater reclamation plants. The treatment process takes roughly 24 hours and removes solids and contaminants through three processes referred to as primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment.
SMWD’s Water Reclamation plants:
- Chiquita Water Reclamation treats up to 10 million gallons per day. It is located in Rancho Mission Viejo, just north of the Cow Camp bridge.
- Oso Creek Water Reclamation plant treats 1.8 million gallons per day. It is located in Mission Viejo, just south of Marguerite Parkway off of La Paz Road. The plant is undergoing a major improvement (2022-2023).
All recycled water produced by SMWD meets the recycled water quality requirements for California as established by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, administered by the State Water Resources Control Board.