REDUCES DEPENDENCY 

ON IMPORTED RAW 

WATER 

SDCWA'S 

G RAW WATER 

AQUEDUCT 

8 INCREASED DOMESTIC 

SUPPLY FOR DACs AND 

FIRE/EMERGENCY 

EVENTS 

e REMOVES GROUNDWATER 

EXTRACTION & ONSITE RO 

TREATMENT 

.,.,,. 

.,,.:; --

A DOMESTIC/ 

V COMMERICAL 

POTABLE 

USERS 

FORMER AG 

+5UPPLY 

-4' , - GROUNDWATER 

,; LErL • DOMESTIC/ 

' COMMERICAL SEWER 

TITLE 22 

RECLAIMED 

I 

C!Y WATER 

USERS 

PROPOSED 

MFRO • SUPPLY LINE/ 

COMPLETE 

FACILITY 

0 INCREASES LOCAL 

ECONOMY 

LEGEND 

BASIN BOUNDARY 

---- RAW WATER 

POTABLE WATER 

BRINE/WASTE DISCHARGE 

RAW SEWAGE 

TITLE22 

MFRO EFFLUENT WATER 

-----

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized 

Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects 

PREPARED FOR: 

United States Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Policy and Administration

 Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F008 

Financial Assistance Support Section 

Attn: Ms. Catherine Reed 

P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27814 

Denver, CO 80225 

PREPARED BY: 

City of Escondido 

201 North Broadway 

Escondido, CA 92025-2798 

Christopher W. McKinney, Director of Utilities 

760-839-4662 

cmckinney@escondido.org 

February 19, 2020 
 

WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program 

Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F008 

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL & EVALUATION CRITERIA 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Table of Contents 

Standard Form 424 (Cover Page).................................................................... 

Standard Form 424 C Budget Form................................................................. 

Standard Form 424 D Assurance..................................................................... 

SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.......................................................... 

Under Separate Cover 

Under Separate Cover 

Under Separate Cover 

Under Separate Cover 

1. Technical Proposal............................................................................. 

• Executive Summary............................................................................ 

• Technical Project Description............................................................. 

• Evaluation Criteria............................................................................. 

...............................3 

...............................3 

...............................14 

...............................23 

2. Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance............................................................51 

3. Required Permits or Approvals..........................................................................................62 

4. Project Budget.................................................................................... 

• Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment.......................................... 

• Budget Proposal................................................................................ 

• Budget Narrative............................................................................... 

...............................64 

...............................64 

...............................66 

...............................67 

5. Letters of Project Support.................................................................................................68 

6. Official Resolution.............................................................................................................69 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 2 of 69 
 

 

- Pr_,..iu«,-­ ~•crstrl',poW 

1.) Technical Proposal and Evaluation Criteria 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Project Title: Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Date: February 18, 2020 

Applicant Name: City of Escondido 

Applicant County: San Diego 

Applicant State: California 

Summary of Work 

The Membrane Filtration and Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project will provide an additional 

water supply source for the City of Escondido. The MFRO Facility will further treat recycled water 

using membrane filtration (MF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies. The MFRO Facility will 

produce high-quality water that is low in total dissolved solids (TDS) and chlorides to high water 

demand avocado growers and agricultural users who serve a vital role in the City of Escondido’s 

economy. As shown in Figure E-1, the MFRO project site is located in the western region of the 

City of Escondido, CA. This water source will offset imported water and private groundwater and 

is higher quality than the existing groundwater source. 

Figure E-1 – Project Vicinity Map 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 3 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MFRO facility will require a connection to an existing 24-inch pipeline that provides California 

Title 22 recycled water from the City’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) to be 

used as plant influent. The MFRO Facility process provides for a minimum RO permeate 

production capacity of 0.5 million gallons per day (MGD), and a maximum permeate production 

capacity of 2.0 MGD. (There will also be provisions for potential future treatment equipment 

installation to include an additional 1.0 MGD of RO production capacity.) High RO permeate will 

be blended with Title 22 recycled water within an on-site product water tank that will then be 

pumped into the distribution system. The ratio of permeate to bypassed Title 22 recycled water 

varies based on the time of year, but the plant flow with the RO/Title 22 bypass blend ranges 

between 0.67 and 2.69 MGD. A new agricultural, low chloride, water distribution system (as 

shown in Figure E-1) will be installed, a project which includes converting the existing 1.2 milliongallon (mg) Hogback Tank to a recycled water agriculture supply reservoir. The process waste 

streams from the MFRO Facility, including RO concentrate and RO cleaning in place (CIP), will be 

collected and conveyed back to the HARRF outfall through a 16-inch dedicated brine pipeline. 

The MFRO waste streams will connect to the existing brine line along the storm drain channel. 

Recycled water is a valuable resource for many local, state, and regional agencies as a means for 

providing a supplemental water supply for both urban and irrigation purposes. Recycled water 

allows for improved efficiency, additional flexibility during water shortages, and a diversified 

water supply. The City’s MFRO Facility provides a much-needed additional water source to the 

City’s valuable agricultural users as a direct benefit. Just as important, are a multitude of indirect 

benefits the MFRO Facility will provide to the local and regional areas. A summary of those 

benefits are shown in Figure E-2 and described in more detail in Table E-1. 

Figure E-2 provides a graphical representation of the existing and proposed facilities with the 

benefits and goals associated with the implementation of the MFRO Facility. The benefits 

provided from the MFRO Facility have a positive impact on the local water supply, the local 

economy, the regional water supply, reduced discharge volumes through the City’s Ocean 

Outfall, reduced groundwater extractions, supplying a redundant water supply, and many others 

as described above and visually shown in Figure E-2, including: 

1. Reduced dependency on imported raw water. 

2. Increased domestic potable water supply for Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) and for 

fire/emergency preparedness. 

3. Removes the need for private groundwater extraction and for private onsite RO treatment. 

4. Increases local economy and improves the local agricultural production 

5. Drought resilient supply to agricultural (AG) users. 

6. Reduces and improves discharge water quality for stormwater discharges to waters of the U.S. 

7. Reduces Escondido Land Outfall (ELO) and San Elijo Ocean Outfall (SEOO) discharges and moves 

closer to the Federal Zero Discharge goal. 

8. Improves groundwater quality. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 4 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

REDUCES DEPENDENCY 

ON IMPORTED RAW 

WATER 

0 

e INCREASED DOMESTIC 

SUPPLY FOR DACs AND 

FIRE/EMERGENCY 

EVENTS 

REMOVES GROUNDWATER 

EXTRACTION & ONSITE RO 

TREATMENT 

c~~~i~~~ L POTABLE 

USERS FORMER AG 

fUPPLY 

DOMESTIC/ 

' COMMERICAL SEWER 

TITLE 22 

RECLAIMED 

WATER PROPOSED 

USERS MFRO 

FACLITY 

0 INCREASES LOCAL 

ECONOMY 

LEGEND 

- BA~~RYRAWWATER 

POTABLE WATER 

BRINE/WASTE DISCHARGE 

RAW SEWAGE 

TITLE22 

Figure E-2 – Benefits of the Proposed MFRO Facility 

The major areas outlined in Table E-1 include: 

Energy Savings Groundwater Protection 

Raw and Potable Water Reduction Storm Water Design & Surface Water Tracking 

Emergency Preparedness Efficient Land Use Planning 

Zero Discharge Goal Regulatory and Environmental Compliance 

Community and Economic Benefits Benefits Disadvantaged Communities 

Greenhouse Emission & Carbon Footprint 

Reduction 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

Energy Savings 

Reduces energy due to reducing 

amount of long distance raw water 

pumping. 

There will be reduced pumping 

associated with both California 

State water and Colorado River 

water. 

New system would reduce stress on 

daily peak water demand as it allows 

agricultural users to irrigate at 

varying times. 

Between 7 and 9 AM, 8 AM is 

roughly the peak at an increase 

of 0.6 peaking factor (City of 

Escondido Water Master Plan 

2012 pg. 2-12). 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 5 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw and Potable 

Water Reduction 

(Continued) Reduces potable water demands and 

therefore assists the Water Shortage 

Contingency Plan (WSCP) in 

Escondido and the Water Shortage 

and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) 

operated by San Diego County 

Water Authority (SDCWA). 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Regulatory Achievements & Project Benefits Comments Goal Enhancements 

Conserves SDG&E resources (time, Has the potential to reduce the 

money, man-power) associated with number of agricultural users 

the Water Infrastructure and System utilizing this program since 

Efficiency (WISE) Program. many agricultural customers 

utilize their own personal wells 

and treatment systems. 

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) Averaging $250,000 annually, 

reduce pump energy usage. based on $0.15 per KWH. 

Conserves energy by reducing Providing less-expensive and 

amount of agricultural users utilizing better-quality water, in a 

personal wellheads and Reverse- centralized location with more 

Osmosis (RO) systems. efficient pumps, results in 

reduced energy use, and 

energy efficiency evaluation 

and monitoring in fewer 

locations. 

Benefits Disadvantaged The MFRO Facility was selected 

Communities (DACs) by reducing based on economic analysis. 

Raw and Potable stress on the potable water 

Water Reduction treatment and distribution system 

and postponing associated related 

rate increases. 

Provides a drought tolerant water 

supply for agricultural customers 

separate from the potable water 

supply. 

Sewage flows only reduce 

minimally during drought 

conditions and after advanced 

treatment would be a more 

reliable source for agricultural 

users. 

(City of Escondido Urban Water 

Management Plan 2015 Ch. 7) 

(https://www.sdcwa.org/water 

-shortage-and-droughtresponse) 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 6 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

Reduces water taken from Lake 

Wohlford and Dixon Lake which 

provides greater flexibility in 

preserving water levels for 

recreation and maintaining riparian 

habitat. Assists with taking 

advantage of upgrades to the Lake 

Wohlford dam designed to restore 

historical capacity of 6500 acre-feet. 

Reduces water taken from Lake 

Wohlford and Dixon Lake, 

which provides greater 

flexibility in preserving water 

levels for recreation and 

maintaining riparian habitat. 

Reduces water taken from the San 

Luis Rey Watershed via the 

Escondido Canal for agricultural use. 

Saves the raw water resources 

for other uses. (IRWM 5-31) 

to fight fires. 

Emergency 

Preparedness 

Reduces dependence on imported 

sources for water. 

Increases fire prevention readiness 

by enhancing the resources required 

80% of water is currently 

imported 

(City of Escondido Urban Water 

Management Plan 2015 pg. 2-

5) 

Fire Season coincides with 

agricultural users growing 

season. By providing an 

alternative water source for 

agricultural users, the MFRO 

facility provides increased 

Emergency 

Preparedness 

(Continued) 

Sustains local agriculture, resulting 

in active/green vegetation which is 

less susceptible to fire. The project 

provides advantages to farmers 

because the water is less expensive 

than potable water and more 

reliable in a drought. 

potable water availability for 

emergency use and storage. 

Currently most agricultural 

users choose reduced water 

rates and accept the risk of 

being the first to curtail use in 

times of declared drought. 

Agriculture minimizes fuel for 

wild fires. 

Assists with the Water Shortage 

Contingency Plan (WSCP) in 

Escondido and the Water Shortage 

(City of Escondido Urban Water 

Management Plan 2015 Ch. 7) 

(https://www.sdcwa.org/water 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 7 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) 

operated by San Diego County 

Water Authority (SDCWA). 

-shortage-and-droughtresponse) 

Reduces the flow in the Escondido 

Land Outfall (ELO)/San Elijo Ocean 

Outfall (SEOO), resulting in 

additional capacity to convey wet 

weather flows. 

This is consistent with the 

California Regional Water 

Quality Board Order number 

R9-2015-0027. 

Zero Discharge 

Goal 

Zero Discharge 

Goal 

(Continued) 

Advances the City towards the 

federal Zero Discharge Goal for 

Waste Discharges into Federal 

jurisdictional waters. 

(https://archive.epa.gov/epa/a 

boutepa/epa-history-waterchallenge-environment-primerepas-statutory-authority.html) 

Increased use of recycled water from 

HARRF minimizes the chance of 

having overflow discharges to 

Escondido Creek, and avoids the 

limitations imposed by the California 

Regional Water Quality Board Order 

number R9-2015-0026. 

Increases available capacity in the 

SEOO, allowing postponement of 

expenditures of tens of millions of 

California Regional Water 

Quality Board Order number 

R9-2015-0026 allows 

discharges to Escondido Creek, 

but only when all other listed 

options have been determined 

not to be viable. 

Delays associated rate 

increases benefiting City 

residents and disadvantaged 

dollars for replacement or 

rehabilitation of the outfall for at 

least 10 years. 

Increases available capacity in the 

Escondido Land Outfall (ELO), 

currently at max capacity during 

peak wet weather. 

Advances progress towards meeting 

the California Regional Water 

Quality Board Order number R9-

2015-0027, which states that 

Escondido must reduce capacity in 

communities. 

The capacity relief occurs 

immediately upon project 

completion. (Draft Final 

Potable Reuse Program, 2014.) 

The reduction occurs 

immediately upon project 

completion. 

(https://www.waterboards.ca. 

gov/rwqcb9/board_decisions/a 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

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Project Benefits 

Community and 

Economic Benefits 

Sustaining and/or rehabilitating 

groves/trees reduces the carbon 

footprint. 

Reduces greenhouse emission by 

reducing amount of long distance 

raw water pumping. 

Greenhouse 

Avoids increased emissions from Emission & Carbon 

agricultural workers commuting to Footprint 

Reduction remote destination should there be 

a less robust local agricultural 

economy. 

Reduces CO2 emissions maintaining 

agriculture as supported by climate 

change international initiatives. 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Regulatory Achievements & Comments Goal Enhancements 

the SEOO to convey wet weather dopted_orders/2015/R9-2015-

flows. 0027.pdf) 

Encourages the agricultural Lower water prices will sustain 

economy, which has suffered avocado grove profitability and 

recently due to the increasing cost of the local economy. 

potable water. 

The alternative water source 

accommodates the City of Escondido 

with more local and tourist 

recreation due to a reduction in the 

demand placed on Lake Wohlford 

and Dixon Lake. 

Reduced treated water 

requirements allow greater 

flexibility in raw water 

diversion to both Lake Dixon 

and Lake Wohlford. 

Local growers translate to less 

imported fruit, less long 

distance transportation to 

deliver the fruit, and less global 

emissions. 

There will be reduced pumping 

associated with both California 

State water and Colorado River 

water. 

The commute for local farm 

workers would result in longer 

commutes to remote places of 

work. 

Climate change international 

initiatives like the 4 per 1000 

Plan, as part of Lima-Paris 

Action Plan, recognize that 

agriculture is a key component 

to reducing CO2 in the 

atmosphere. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 9 of 69 
 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

Groundwater 

Protection 

Complies with the Sustainable 

Groundwater Management Act 

(SGMA). 

The MFRO Facility project 

benefits ground water quality 

and enhances current 

compliance with the SGMA. 

Reduction in groundwater pumping 

due to increased availability of 

enhanced treated Title 22 recycled 

water for agricultural use. 

Since Enhanced Recycled 

Water is better quality than 

current groundwater 

(https://www.waterboards.ca. 

gov/sandiego/publications_for 

ms/publications/docs/2014_An 

nual_WateReuse_Conference_ 

SNMP_Paper-Final.pdf), 

farmers are likely to curtail 

ground water pumping. 

Exceeds the goals of the Salt 

Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP). 

Enhanced Recycled Water is 

better quality than current 

groundwater 

(https://www.waterboards.ca. 

gov/sandiego/publications_for 

ms/publications/docs/2014_An 

nual_WateReuse_Conference_ 

SNMP_Paper-Final.pdf) 

Reduces agricultural users 

dependence upon groundwater. 

Provides a low cost alternative 

for agricultural users who rely 

on private wells, and any 

associated individual onsite, 

high energy RO treatment 

systems. 

Will reduce brine output from 

private RO systems that may go into 

leach lines, or which otherwise may 

be diverted to the wastewater 

system. 

This reduces the amount of 

water that is high in salt 

content from potentially 

entering the ground water 

aquifer, and or the wastewater 

system. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 10 of 69 
 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

Storm Water 

Design & Surface 

Water Tracking 

The MFRO Facility will assist with 

Senate Bill (SB) 88 compliance in 

tracking water use. 

Tracking of agricultural water 

use will be centralized with 

flow measuring equipment 

being part of the supervisory 

control and a data acquisition 

system (SCADA) providing 

accurate recording. This will 

provide a means of comparing 

flows associated with totals of 

individual user meters. 

Storm Water 

Design & Surface 

Water Tracking 

(Continued) 

The MFRO Facility utilizing Low 

Impact Design (LID) including bio 

retention ponds minimizes storm 

water from entering the adjacent 

Reidy Creek and Escondido Creek 

Flood Control Channels. 

The project includes an on-site 

storm water biofiltration basin 

to capture, treat, and release 

the water at a controlled rate 

as dictated by the City’s storm 

water requirements. The basin 

directs water into the existing 

54-inch storm drain and then 

conveys the storm water 

utilizing an existing channel 

outlet to the Reidy Creek Flood 

Control Channel, which flows 

into the Escondido Creek Flood 

Control Channel. This treated 

water meets all water quality 

standards. 

The project site is located in the 

heart of a developed industrial 

district within the City. The site does 

not occur in or near lands identified 

for conservation or preserve 

configuration in the region. The only 

biological resources located near the 

site that are of local importance 

include the Reidy Creek flood control 

channel and Escondido Creek flood 

control channel. Both reaches are 

The design uses existing 

drainage facilities and ensures 

all ultimate receiving bodies 

have a higher quality water 

leaving the site. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 11 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Benefits 

Efficient Land Use 

Planning 

The project provides potential The current design includes 

locations for alternative energy solar panels on the roof of the 

sources with solar power and wind MFRO building. 

power. 

Site grading requirements associated Escondido Creek carries 

with the MFRO Facility design will sediment to San Elijo Lagoon, 

reduce sediment entering Escondido which is a 303(d) listed 

Creek. waterbody due to sediment 

(IRWM pgs. 5-33 & 5-34). The 

MFRO facility improves current 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Regulatory Achievements & Comments Goal Enhancements 

concrete lined, but serve as 

important flood conveyance features 

for the local area, conveying storm 

water to natural downstream 

reaches of Escondido Creek that 

support regionally-important 

biological resources 

Uses existing infrastructure, There are existing pipelines and 

minimizing excavation in the right of drainage facilities already in 

way outside of the MFRO Facility place adjacent to the property. 

site. 

The project is located at 901 West 

Washington Avenue, approximately The San Diego County 

55 feet southwest of the West assessor's parcel number (APN) 

Washington Avenue and Rock is APN 232-090-72-00. 

Springs Road intersection. The parcel 

is approximately 10.3 acres in size 

and is owned by the City. The 

Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) is 

232-090-72-00. The site is accessible 

via a driveway along West 

Washington Avenue and a shared 

access driveway with two gated 

entrances on the west side. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 12 of 69 
 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

grading conditions and 

significantly reduces sediment 

entering the creek. 

Industrial setting ensures all impacts 

such as noise, emissions, etc. are 

less than the ambient conditions of 

the surrounding businesses 

This project blends in with the 

other existing surrounding 

industrial businesses. 

Regulatory and 

Environmental 

Compliance 

Assembly Bill AB-52, CEQA 

consultation requirements with 

California Native American Tribes, 

has occurred with measures in-place 

for construction. 

Outreach, meetings, and 

responses with California 

Native American Tribes have 

been completed, resulting in 

agreed upon construction 

monitoring requirements. 

A Mitigation, Monitoring, and 

Reporting Plan (MMRP) has been 

prepared per the CEQA and CEQA 

Plus guidelines. This will be 

implemented by the City for the 

project and reporting in the 

Quarterly Reports. 

The MMRP for the project 

includes detailed Mitigation 

Measures (MM)s that reflect 

the requirements from the 

various biological and cultural 

studies. 

Achieves California Office of Historic 

Preservation (OHP) goals and 

requirements, through the State 

Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). 

The project will pursue 

consultation with the OHP, per 

communication with the SHPO. 

The goal is gain OHP 

concurrence with the State 

Water Board determination of 

“no historic properties 

affected” by the Project. 

Maintaining Lake Wohlford and Lake 

Dixon levels are necessary, as 

assisted by the project, to promote 

the San Diego County Vector Control 

Program. 

The City of Escondido 

encourages and promotes the 

County Vector Control 

Program. 

Maintaining Lake Wohlford and 

Dixon Lake levels are necessary, as 

Dixon Lake is rated as being 

within the range of 90% to 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 13 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

Table E-1 – MFRO Facility Project Benefits Summary 

Project Benefits Regulatory Achievements & 

Goal Enhancements Comments 

assisted by the project, to comply 

with both respective Multiple 

Habitat Conservation Plans (MHCP) 

for riparian/wetlands. 

100% conserved (IRWM pg. 5-

35). This alternate water supply 

allows more flexibility in 

maintaining lake levels. 

TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

Background 

The City of Escondido (City) has implemented a comprehensive Potable Reuse Water Program 

(Reuse Program) based on the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)s acceptance of the North San Diego 

County Water Coalition, Regional Recycled Water Program 2020 Project Feasibility Study, 2015. 

The Reuse Program includes the Membrane Filtration (MF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) water 

treatment facility (MFRO Facility project) which delays or defers wastewater outfall improvement 

requirements through Year 2050, expedites a new high quality, low chlorides water supply to 

local agriculture, and promotes and supports the local economy. 

The Reuse Program was the driving factor in development of the MFRO Facility project to 

facilitate agricultural water reuse. The Project will provide additional treatment of recycled 

water with membrane filtration (MF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies to produce a highquality water that is low in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and chlorides, for the benefit of highwater-demand agricultural and avocado growers who serve a vital role in the City of Escondido’s 

economy. The project completed the feasibility phase and is now in the design/construction 

phase. The City is moving forward with a “Progressive Design Build” project delivery method. A 

Design Build team was selected and the project is currently at the 60 percent design stage. The 

original project goals have not changed. The project includes a connection at the MFRO site, 

located at 901 West Washington Avenue, to the existing 24-inch pipeline that provides California 

Title 22 recycled water from the City’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) used as 

plant influent. The MFRO Facility process, see Figure 1-1, provides for a minimum RO permeate 

production capacity of 0.5 million gallons per day (MGD), and a maximum permeate production 

capacity of 2.0 MGD. (There will also be provisions for potential future treatment equipment 

installation to include an additional 1.0 MGD of RO production capacity.) High RO permeate will 

then be blended with Title 22 recycled water within an on-site product water tank that will then 

be pumped off-site. The ratio of permeate to Title 22 recycled water varies based on the time of 

year, but the plant flow with the RO/Title 22 Bypass blend ranges between 0.67 and 2.69 MGD. 

A new agricultural, low chloride, water distribution system will be installed which includes 

converting the existing 1.2 million-gallon (mg) potable water Hogback Tank to a recycled water 

agriculture supply reservoir. The process waste streams from the MFRO Facility including RO 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 14 of 69 
 

 

 

 

TERTIARY 

EFFLUENT FEED 

SDCWARAW 

WATER TIE-IN 

j 

LIQUID 

AMMONIUM 

SULFATE 

CARTRIDGE FILTERS 

RO FEED PUMP 

CONCENTRATE TO 

BRINE LINE 

SODIUM 

HYPOCHLORITE 

BACKWASH WASTE 

TO SEWER 

SODIUM HYDROXIDE 

RO SYSTEM 

+-- POTABLE 

WATER 

RO FLUSH TANK 

AND PUMP 

INTER-PROCESS 

STORAGE TANK 

RO TRANSFER 

SULFURIC ACID --+ 

SODIUM BISULFITE (INTERMITTENT) --+ 

ANTISCALANT --+ 

PRODUCT WATER 

TANK 

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE 

LIQUID AMMONIUM SULFATE 

TO HOGBACK 

RESERVOIR 

concentrate and RO cleaning in place (CIP) waste will be collected and conveyed back to the 

HARRF outfall through an existing 16-inch dedicated brine pipeline. 

SODIUM BISULFITE 

Figure 1-1 – MFRO Process Flow Diagram 

Additional and specific information related to reuse demands, location, piping and hydraulics, 

treated water quality objectives, overall MFRO treatment process capacities, specific information 

for the MFRO Facility equipment, waste streams, and proposed agricultural water distribution 

system are provided in the following discussion. 

Evaluation of Title 22 Water Demands and Time-Of-Day Use 

The existing Title 22 recycled water system irrigation highest demand period is generally between 

the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with one large user that operates 24 hours a day (Palomar 

Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, Power Plant). The Palomar Energy, LLC, 

demand is the largest and most consistent, but the system does experience higher flows during 

the evening when a majority of the landscape irrigation systems are operating. This variability 

was a key consideration for the MFRO Facility operation since it meets the optimal membrane 

treatment process. Typically, MFRO facilities are designed to operate 7 days a week, 24 hours a 

day, except when down for cleaning or down for seasonal storage. Therefore, the design 

approach for the City’s new MFRO Facility considers operation of the MFRO Facility continuously 

over a 24-hour period through the membranes and then blending with HARRF Title 22 recycled 

water even during low demand periods. Operating the system in this method prolongs the life of 

the membranes and promotes regular maintenance scheduling. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 15 of 69 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Project Location 

The proposed site, zoned as industrial property, is located at 901 West Washington Avenue. The 

proposed site is located in the City of Escondido on the undeveloped parcel APN No. 230-090-72-

00. The project site consists of 10.3 acres and is bound by a cement processing plant to the east, 

Washington Avenue to the north, and a commuter train operations building to the west and 

south. The Reidy Creek flood control channel borders the south eastern corner of the property. 

The project site location is presented on Figure 1-2. 

Figure 1-2 – Project Site Location 

Evaluation of Title 22 Piping and Hydraulics 

In evaluating the project, a hydraulic analysis was performed as part of the preparation of the 

conceptual design memorandum, dated September 23, 2016, using the City’s existing recycled 

water model developed in the June 2011 Recycled Water Master Plan. An MFRO Facility 

Conceptual Design Report was prepared in August 2019 which provides updates to the 2016 

conceptual design memorandum for the new site located at 901 West Washington Avenue. The 

results of the conceptual memorandum indicated: 1) the existing reuse piping network would 

provide adequate service pressures to feed the related and the new agricultural distribution 

system; 2) the system will accommodate 24-hour membrane operations by having adequate 

onsite storage at the MFRO Facility site and by converting the existing 1.2 million-gallon (mg) 

potable storage Hogback Tank to a recycled water agriculture supply reservoir, and 3) pumping 

into the new agricultural system would be able to be accomplished using three 1,820 GPM pumps 

at 550 feet of head. An existing pipeline will be used to convey Title 22 recycled water from 

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HARRF to the MFRO Facility. The influent pipeline will enter the project site from the South. The 

influent pipeline will branch onsite to supply water to the product water blend tank and to the 

MFRO Facility treatment system. Per hydraulic analysis, the onsite influent pressure will be 

sufficient to supply enough water pressure through the membranes without needing membrane 

feed pumps. 

Treated Water Quality Objectives 

The Feasibility Study as mentioned above stipulated water quality requirements for the City’s 

agriculture producers focusing on avocado production, which is one of the most important crops 

grown in Escondido. The water quality parameters that can diminish avocado crop productivity 

are provided in Table 1-1. This information was obtained based on meetings with members of 

the Escondido Growers of Agriculture Preservation (EGAP) as well as published information in 

the literature. Based on discussions with EGAP, it is desired to reduce the chloride concentration 

to 80 mg/L to prevent leaf burn, root rot, and the need for excessive flushing. However, chloride 

concentrations up to 100 mg/L can be tolerated for limited periods, days to weeks. It should be 

noted that historical water quality provided by the City shows the average chloride concentration 

in raw source water supplies varies as follows: Lake Henshaw = 39 mg/L; Dixon Lake = 80 mg/L; 

and imported water via SDCWA = 81 mg/L. 

Table 1-1 – Agriculture Water Quality Criteria for Key Parameters 

Parameter Units Concentration 

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) mg/L 540-600 

Chloride mg/L 80 (maximum 100 for limited duration) 

Sodium Adsorption Ratio (S.A.R) ratio 10 

Electrical Conductivity μS/cm 500-1000 

Boron mg/L < 0.5 

pH --- 6.5-7.0 

The water quality of the blend water will vary, based on the blend ratio of Title 22 recycled water 

bypass to RO permeate. Table 1-2 summarizes the estimated water quality for blend ratios 

ranging from 0 to 1.95, which corresponds to initial total recycled water flows available for 

agricultural users of between 0.5 to 5.9 MGD. The initial minimum flow condition would occur 

during times when Title 22 recycled water is not available for blending and the MFRO facility is 

operating at minimum production flow of 0.5 MGD. The initial average and maximum total blend 

flows represent the estimated 2050 summer agriculture recycled water demands as identified in 

the Feasibility Study. During such conditions, it is anticipated the MFRO Facility would be 

operated at the initial design production capacity of 2 MGD. An example-blending scenario for 

the future condition of increasing the RO permeate capacity by 1 MGD is also shown. 

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Except for pH, the agricultural water quality requirements are only exceeded when the blending 

ratio is above 1. Because the RO process rejects most of the minerals in the feed water, the RO 

permeate is corrosive and can damage the downstream storage and conveyance system. Thus, 

chemical post treatment to adjust the pH and stabilize the water for corrosion control will be 

provided. 

Overall MFRO Treatment Process Capacities 

The MFRO Facility is planned to initially operate with a production capacity of 0.5 MGD (350 GPM) 

and an ultimate production capacity of 2.0 MGD (1,390 GPM). A summary of the influent and 

effluent flows, including the recovery (defined as the ratio of product water/to feed flow) for 

each treatment process, is provided in Table 1-2. Note the conceptual design includes provisions 

to expand the facility in the future to provide an additional 1 MGD (not shown in Table 1-2) of 

product water to meet future increased agriculture reuse demands. 

Table 1-2 – MFRO Facility Production Capacity Summary 

Description Initial Operation Ultimate Operation 

Process Influent Rate 0.68 MGD (471 GPM) 2.72 MGD (1,886 GPM) 

MF Strainer Influent 0.68 MGD (471 GPM) 2.72 MGD (1,886 GPM) 

Strainer Recovery 99% 99% 

MF Influent Flow 0.67 MGD (467 GPM) 2.69 MGD (1,867 GPM) 

MF Equipment Recovery 93% 93% 

RO Influent Flow 0.63 MGD (434 GPM) 2.53 MGD (1,754 GPM) 

RO Equipment Recovery 80% 80% 

Total Production Capacity 0.50 MGD (350 GPM) 2.00 MGD (1,390 GPM) 

Figure 1-1 presents the conceptual process flow schematics for all major components of the 

MFRO Facility. The details of the major MFRO Facility system components are discussed below in 

order of the process flow. 

Membrane Filtration Feed Strainers 

Prior to entering the MF membrane units, the feed water would be passed through self-cleaning 

automatic strainers. The strainers would remove large particles and debris that could potentially 

damage the MF membranes. Chloramines will be used to protect the MF process from biological 

fouling. Sodium hypochlorite and ammonium sulfate, mixed to from chloramines, will be stored 

in the chemical feed building and pumped to the points of injection shown on Figure 1-1. 

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Membrane Filtration (MF) System 

The membrane filtration system will utilize microfiltration or ultrafiltration (UF) membranes to 

function as a pretreatment process for the RO system. MF is a physical separation process in 

which suspended and colloidal solids are removed from the feed stream through a porous 

membrane. MF pretreatment provides a stable, high-quality feed stream for the RO systems 

minimizing colloidal and particulate fouling of RO membranes. While there are currently two 

configurations available for MF systems: 1.) submerged, and 2.) pressurized systems, it has been 

decided to utilize a pressurized MF system because for this size facility, there is a lower 

construction cost since they do not require expensive coated steel or stainless-steel membrane 

tanks, and a shorter process structure can be used to enclose the pressurized membrane vessels. 

In addition, they have a distinct cost advantage for treatment capacities less than 10 MGD. The 

pressurized system is also preferred from an operations perspective providing easy access to the 

membrane modules for maintenance and the ability to visually inspect the membrane fibers. The 

MF system will be equipped with a complete clean-in-place (CIP) system to clean and condition 

the membranes. The system consists of chemical addition, air scour, and a reverse filtration 

pumping system with associated piping and controls. The MF membranes would periodically 

undergo backwash and chemical cleaning to remove foulants from the surface. 

The MFRO Facility will be designed with a backup engine generator; however, this is a non-critical 

facility. If required, during temporary maintenance related shutdowns, the agricultural demand 

can still be met with 100% Title 22 recycled water. Also, if one microfiltration or UF unit were 

offline for routine maintenance or cleaning, the plant could operate at a reduced production 

capacity, which would increase blend ratio of Title 22 recycled water to RO permeate, resulting 

in increased constituent concentrations of the recycled water sent to agriculture users for a 

limited period of time. 

The conceptual design criteria for the MF systems associated with the MFRO Facilities is 

summarized in Table 1-3. 

Table 1-3 – Membrane Filtration System Design Parameters 

Description MRFO Facility 

MRF System 

Net Filtrate Flow, Design, GPM (24 hour basis) 1,754 

Net Filtrate Flow, Minimum, GPM (24 hour basis) 868 

No. of Skids 3 (2 duty, 1 future) 

Redundancy none 

Capacity Per Skid, GPM 868 

Recovery, minimum, % 93 

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Table 1-3 – Membrane Filtration System Design Parameters 

Description MRFO Facility 

MRF System 

Instantaneous Flux ≥20°c, Maximum, GFD 25 

Total Membrane Area Required, (sq. ft.) 122,4000 

Total No. Modules Required 204 

No. of Modules per Skid 102 

Backwash Interval, min. 25-30 

Maintenance Wash Interval, minimum, per week 1 

CIP Interval, Minimum, per month 1 

Typical CIP Duration, per skid, per clean 4-6 hours 

Estimated Foot Print (per skid), Length (ft) / Width (ft) 38 / 6 

MF/RO Inter-Process Storage Tank 

One 240,000 (usable) gallon inter-process storage tank would be provided between the MF and 

RO systems to equalize the MF filtrate flows prior to being fed to the RO systems. The tank would 

be approximately 50-feet in diameter and 32-feet tall. 

Reverse Osmosis Transfer Pump Station and Cartridge Filters 

Three, approximately 30 hp, RO transfer pumps will pump MF filtrate from the inter-process 

storage tank through the cartridge filters to the suction side of the RO feed pumps (refer to Figure 

1-1). Cartridge filters will be installed immediately upstream of the RO system to protect the RO 

membranes. Cartridge filters consist of wound hollow core polypropylene elements and will be 

replaced when the differential pressure drop increases from a clean state to a fouled condition 

state of roughly 2-4 psi, for a total pressure drop of 15 psi. Based on experience at similar 

facilities, biofouling is controlled using chloramines, and the cartridge filters should only require 

replacement every 6-12 months. The cartridge filters are provided to protect the RO membranes 

from long-term solids deposition. 

Reverse Osmosis Feed Pump Station 

To allow for different operating conditions on individual membrane trains, as determined by the degree 

of membrane fouling, each RO train would be served by its own dedicated variable speed feed pump. 

Four, approximately 100 hp, RO feed pumps would boost the pressure of the RO feed water to the RO 

membranes. 

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Reverse Osmosis System 

The RO system is a high-pressure membrane process designed to remove dissolved constituents 

from the process feed water. Permeate produced by RO vessels will be combined into one 

permeate stream. The conceptual design criteria for the RO systems are provided in Table 1-4. 

Based on the noncritical nature of the facilities as discussed in above, the RO systems for the 

MFRO Facility will be designed without redundancy. Therefore, if one RO skid is taken offline for 

cleaning or maintenance the facilities would operate at a reduced production capacity. For 

example, with one RO train offline, the maximum production capacity of the MFRO Facility would 

be reduced by 25% (i.e. 2.0 MGD to 1.5 MGD). As a precaution, space for a future 1.0 MGD RO 

unit is provided within the MFRO Facility. 

Like the UF membranes, the RO membrane elements will require periodic cleaning to restore 

permeability. The RO membranes are typically cleaned when the permeability has reduced to 

approximately 85% percent of the initial stable conditions. Typically, the required cleaning 

frequency varies from once every three to six months to once per year. 

Table 1-4 – RO System Design Parameters 

Description MRFO Facility 

RO System General 

Quantity of Trains 4 (4 duty) 

Design Capacity, RO permeate, MGD 0.5 

Design Recovery, % 85 

Pressure Vessel Racks 

Number of Pressure Vessels per Train 18 

Number of Stage 1 Pressure Vessels 10 

Number of Stage 2 Pressure Vessels 5 

Number of Stage 3 Pressure Vessels 3 

Number of Membrane Elements per Vessel 6 

Design Pressure, psig 450 

Membrane Elements 

Number of elements per train 108 

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Table 1-4 – RO System Design Parameters 

Description MRFO Facility 

RO System General 

Area Per Element, sq.ft. 400 

Maximum System Design Flux, gfd 12 

Element Type High Rejection 

Polyamide Composite 

Average Salt Rejection, % >99.5 

RO Flush System 

When an RO train is shutdown, residual feed water remains in the membrane elements. If the 

train is to remain offline for a period of more than 30 minutes, the membranes will need to be 

flushed with permeate to ensure against fouling. The permeate flush is a low pressure, low flow 

process in which approximately two pressure vessel volume exchanges would be pumped 

through the train to waste. The flush system would include the following inside the Process 

Building: 

x One vertical cylindrical, flat-top, approximately 6,500-gallon tank 

x Two (one duty and one standby) horizontal centrifugal, approximately 2 hp pumps. Each pump’s 

capacity would be 60 gpm. 

Product Water Storage Tank 

The Product Water Storage Tank will be used for enhanced blending to meet agriculture reuse 

water quality requirements, and agricultural reuse storage. The RO permeate and Title 22 

recycled water will be blended by using an in-line static mixer upstream of the tank. The ratio 

of Title 22 water to RO permeate is anticipated to range from 0 to 2.0. A product water tank 

would be installed onsite for blend and storage purposes. The overall tank dimensions are 

approximately 104-feet in diameter and 34-feet tall. The product water tank would provide a 

total useable storage volume of approximately 1,000,000 gallons. 

Product Water Pump Station 

The product water (facility produced, blended water) pump station would supply reuse water 

to the City’s Hogback Reservoir located on a hilltop east of the City limits in unincorporated San 

Diego County south of Mountain View Drive and to the agriculture distribution system. The 

pump station would consist of three 250-horsepower pumps (two duty and one standby), each 

rated for 1,820 gpm to meet peak period demands. The pumps would be electric motor driven 

and equipped with variable frequency drives to supply wide varying seasonal demands. Due to 

the elevation of the Hogback reservoir, an intermediate booster pump station is to be located 

along the recycled water alignment and situated at Mountain View Park on Glenridge Road. 

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This pump station was included as part of the Recycled Water Easterly Main Extension Project 

MND. 

Process Waste Streams 

MFRO process waste streams, including RO concentrate, RO CIP, and BAC Filter backwash, will 

be collected and conveyed back to the HARRF outfall through an existing 16-inch dedicated brine 

pipeline. 

Waste streams, including MF backwash, strainer backwash, MF CIP, as well as sanitary sewer 

waste, will be discharged to an onsite sanitary sewer and conveyed to HARRF for treatment. 

Blending, dilution, or neutralization of chemical solutions will be evaluated and provided as 

necessary during final design. If required, each of the waste streams will be collected and 

directed to a waste equalization tank where the waste flows can be neutralized prior to disposal 

to the sanitary sewer. 

Electrical 

Electrical power for the proposed project would be supplied by the San Diego Gas & Electric 

(SDG&E). All electrical equipment would be located inside the process building electrical room. 

Standby power would be provided by an outdoor diesel engine generator. The engine-generator 

would be designed to meet the City’s Municipal Code sound thresholds at the property line for 

the receiving land use. The exhaust particulate filter/silencer would be provided and sized to 

meet San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) requirements as needed. The 

engine generator would provide standby power to necessary electrical and controls equipment. 

The engine-generator would only operate during loss of utility power. However, it would be 

exercised on a monthly basis during business hours and within SDCAPCD operational limits. 

Instrumentation and Control 

The MFRO Facility will include provision for an automated plant control system (PCS). The PCS 

provides automated monitoring and data acquisition for multiple data points for each process 

system and sub-systems throughout the plant utilizing a series of programmable logic controllers 

(PLCs) to be installed throughout the facilities. Since this plant is monitored closely by a 

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System, it allows the City to correct process 

issues and operate the plant more efficiently. Specific set point parameters will be seen through 

the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and allows the City to track production, water quality, and 

other key parameters. 

EVALUATION CRITERIA 

Evaluation Criterion 1—Water Supply (35 points) 

Subcriterion No. 1a—Stretching Water Supplies (18 points) 

The amount of water expected to be made available by the Project and the extent to which the 

Project will reduce demands on existing facilities is presented below by reprinting the 

questions and providing responses to related application questions: 

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1. How many acre-feet of water are expected to be made available each year upon completion of 

the Project? What percentage of the present and/or future annual demand in the project 

sponsor’s service area will the Project's recycled water provide upon Project completion? The 

percentage should be based on the total service area demand, not just recycled water demand. 

Use the total capacity of the entire Project upon completion, not just water that will be 

produced by the activities that will be completed over the next two years. 

Approximately 3,000 AF per year of additional treated Title 22 recycled water will be made 

available by the project. Upon completion, the project will offset nearly 12 percent of the service 

area's annual potable water supply. 

2. Will the Project reduce, postpone, or eliminate the development of new or expanded nonrecycled water supplies? Explain. 

Yes, assessment of the non-potable reuse/agricultural water (NPR/Ag) system has shown that 

expansion of the City’s existing recycled water system will provide recycled water to new 

customers that currently use potable water in a 1:1 ratio, and delays upgrades to the land outfall 

for at least 10 years. With the City already having started key elements of this program, such as 

the brine pipeline, and influent pipeline, incorporation of these elements has provided the 

necessary initial efforts essential to implementing this program quickly. 

3. Will the Project alleviate pressure on existing water supplies and/or facilities? If so, please 

describe the existing water supplies, identify the supplies and/or facilities that will be impacted 

and explain how they will be impacted by the Project, including quantifications where 

applicable. 

Yes, currently excess recycled water is sent through the land outfall on to the ocean. After 

completion of the MFRO Facility, recycled water will be treated and distributed to farmers in the 

surrounding area. This will reduce the amount of recycled water sent to the ocean by 3,000 AFY. 

Substituting treated Title 22 recycled water in place of drinking water restores capacity to 

drinking water treatment facilities, drinking water distribution systems, as well as the land and 

ocean outfalls. 

4. What performance measures will be used to quantify actual benefits upon completion of the 

Project? 

There are many ways to quantify the performance and benefits of the proposed project. One 

way is to track the amount of treated water being distributed from the MFRO Facility. The plant 

allows the City of Escondido to lower the amount of water it imports from the Colorado River 

and the State Water Project. Every gallon of treated agricultural water used directly correlates 

to a gallon of drinking left to supply other needs, or otherwise reduces water demand that would 

have to be extracted from the distressed California state water system, or the declining flows of 

the Colorado River. Since all these flows/usages are tracked by meter records, an actual reduction 

of potable water and increase in Title 22 water can be quantified. 

Another potential tracking mechanism is to track with the Department of Health (DEH) any on 

site/private wells which have been abandoned as a result of the project. Also, groundwater usage 

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will be tracked with the Groundwater Sustainable Agencies (GSAs) to evaluate reduction in 

groundwater usage. 

Another way to quantify the benefits of the project will be to monitor agricultural revenue 

associated with the City of Escondido. Agriculture has been declining in recent years, and if 

revenues rise after the completion of the MFRO Facility, that proves the industry is benefitting 

as well as the overall economy of Escondido. 

Subcriterion No.1b—Contributions to Water Supply Reliability (17 points) 

1. Will Project make water available to address a specific concern? Consider the number of acrefeet of water and/or the percentage of overall water supply to be made available by the 

Project. Explain the specific concern and its severity. Also explain the role of the Project in 

addressing that concern and the extent to which the Project will address it. Specific concerns 

may include, but are not limited to the following items listed in bold: 

The MFRO facility will contribute to potable water supply reliability by having an additional 

source of recycled water to provide to the agricultural community, ultimately reducing the 

demand on potable water. The following summarizes how this project contributes to water 

availability. 

• Water supply shortages 

The project provides a drought tolerant water supply for agricultural customers separate from 

the potable water supply. This reduces potable water demands and therefore assists in meeting 

the goals of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) in Escondido and the Water Shortage 

and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) operated by the San Diego County Water Authority 

(SDCWA). 

Since the agricultural high watering season coincides with the fire season, this drought tolerant 

water supply will add to the emergency preparedness of the City. Since the project reduces over 

10% of the potable water supply, it ensures a larger volume of water is available for addressing 

fire events. 

The project also reduces water taken from the San Luis Rey Watershed via the Escondido Canal 

for agricultural uses, which saves the raw water resources for other uses. 

• Water supply reliability 

Having a reliable recycled water source for agricultural customers in Escondido reduces 

dependence on imported drinking water sources. Currently 80% of the community’s water is 

imported to Escondido. Since wastewater sources are stable, this provides a constant source of 

supply. 

• Groundwater depletion 

The project reduces agricultural users’ dependence on groundwater by providing a low-cost 

alternative for those users who rely on wells, and any associated individual RO treatment 

systems. Since treated recycled water is better quality than current groundwater, farmers are 

likely to curtail ground water pumping. and abandon any on site treatment systems. Since this 

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higher water quality Title 22 recycled water has better overall quality than the groundwater, any 

water percolating to the groundwater will enhance the aquifer. 

In addition, the proposed project will reduce brine output from private RO systems that may go 

into leach lines, or which otherwise may be diverted to the wastewater system. This reduces the 

amount of water high in salt content from potentially entering the ground water aquifer and/or 

the wastewater system. 

• Water quality issues 

Currently, farmers cannot use the Title 22 water because it contains chloride levels of 188 mg/L, 

which is not ideal for agriculture and especially detrimental to avocado trees. However, the 

proposed project will produce water containing chloride levels of approximately 80-100 mg/L 

and water that has less concentrations of other constituents lower than other local waters as 

shown in Table 2-1 below. 

Table 2-1 – Estimated Water Quality 

Parameter Units Groundwater HARRF Potable **MFRO Plant 

Calcium mg/L 123 66 41 25-45 

Magnesium mg/L 77.2 26 17 9-18 

Sodium mg/L 216 171 80 60-120 

TDS mg/L 1292 923 360-700 540-600 

Chloride mg/L 305 188 70 80-100 

Boron mg/L 0.134 0.388 0.14 <0.4 

pH -------- 7.2 7.7 8 7.5-8.5 

Conductivity μS/cm 2070 1576 710 500-1000 

** Estimated water quality based on average plant production flow condition of 2.95 

MGD (blend 0.95 MGD Title 22 with 2.00 MGD MFRO product flow) 

The MFRO Facility project benefits ground water quality since it is used for irrigation purposes. 

The project also assists in reaching the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) goals 

since farmers with wells are likely to switch to the City’s system, reducing the number of wells 

without metering equipment and extraction volumes that cannot be tracked. 

• Natural disasters that may impact water supply infrastructure 

The project increases fire prevention readiness by enhancing the resources required to fight fires. 

Fire season coincides with agricultural users’ growing season. By providing alternative water 

sources for agricultural users, the MFRO Facility reduces potable water usage, providing 

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increased potable water for fire flows and storage. It also sustains local agriculture, resulting in 

active/green vegetation which is less susceptible to fire. 

In addition, the project assists with the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) in Escondido 

and the Water Shortage and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) operated by the San Diego County 

Water Authority (SDCWA). 

Finally, the project reduces flows into the Escondido Land Outfall (ELO)/San Elijo Ocean Outfall 

(SEOO), providing additional capacity to convey wet weather flows minimizing flood conditions. 

This is in line with the California Regional Water Quality Board Order number R9-2015-0027. 

• Heightened competition for water supplies 

The MFRO plant will lower water prices, which will sustain avocado grove profitability and the 

local economy. This will encourage the agricultural economy which has suffered recently due to 

the rising cost of potable water. The project will also reduce potable demands in the City’s water 

service area, therefore reducing the imported water purchased from the California State Water 

Project and Colorado River, which have competing interests from other cities and states. 

• Availability of alternative supplies 

The project provides a low-cost alternative water supply for agricultural users who rely on the 

potable water system or wells with any associated individual RO treatment systems, therefore 

reducing agricultural users’ dependence upon potable and groundwater. This project will 

introduce a new customer class to the City’s recycled water system, agricultural users, who could 

not directly use Title 22 water due to the high salinity and chloride levels. 

• Increasing cost of water supplies 

The project provides lower water prices that will sustain avocado grove profitability and the local 

economy, which has suffered recently due to the cost of water. This does not increase the cost 

of potable water in any way. 

The project will produce water in order to address the existing concern over the water supply for 

the agricultural industry. Agriculture is a $100,000,000 per year industry in Escondido and plays 

a huge part in the city’s economy. However, agriculture has been on the decline. Recent droughts 

and imported competition have forced many growers out of business, resulting in the loss of 

thousands of acres of agricultural land. A less expensive and drought-proof water source would 

help Escondido’s farmers remain competitive, stop loss of agricultural land, and preserve this 

vital industry in Escondido. This is where the proposed project comes in. Treating and recycling 

water to provide for farmers is a less expensive water source than potable water, and will help 

save Escondido’s agriculture from its current decline. 

2. Will water made available by this Project continue to be available during periods of drought? 

To what extent is the water made available by this Project more drought resistant than 

alternative water supply options? Explain. Has the area served by the Project been identified 

by the United States Drought Monitor as experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought 

at any time in the last four years? Has the area served by the Project been designated as a 

drought disaster area by the State in the last four years? 

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The proposed project is a drought-proof facility, meaning that water will be treated and 

constantly available to farmers even during times of drought. The area has been experiencing 

drought in recent years which has attributed to the decline of agriculture in the region. 

Therefore, the proposed project is vital, having the potential to help the agricultural industry of 

Escondido to rebound from its recent losses. 

The City of Escondido limited potable water usage in the periods prior to April 2017, when the 

Governor of California formally ended the statewide drought. However, even though the severe 

restrictions were removed, the City continues to use water efficiently and these efficiencies are 

codified in the Escondido Municipal Code, article 5. This project will provide the City more 

flexibility the next time local or statewide drought conditions exist. 

Evaluation Criterion 2—Environment and Water Quality (12 Points) 

How the Project directly or indirectly affects or improve surface, groundwater, or effluent 

discharge quality; will restore or enhance habitat for non-listed species; will address problems 

caused by invasive species; or will provide water or habitat for federally listed threatened or 

endangered species is presented below by reprinting the questions and providing responses to 

related application questions: 

1. Will the Project improve the quality of surface water or groundwater? Will the Project improve 

effluent quality beyond levels necessary to meet State or Federal discharge requirements? 

Because the project is designed to provide enhanced recycled water to use for agricultural 

resources, it will improve the otherwise negative impact on the groundwater itself. The project 

does not include any use or extraction of groundwater; because it reduces the amount of potable 

water required to irrigate the agricultural resources, it ultimately reduces the demand on 

groundwater resources. The proposed project concept would improve the quality of recycled 

water to local agricultural growers and capture valuable water resources. This improved recycled 

water for the farmers would also improve the quality of the surface water being circulated 

around the Escondido area. 

Since unnecessary groundwater extraction is harmful, the decrease in pumping and the 

percolation of a source of water which is higher in quality than the groundwater is beneficial to 

the watershed. This project also exceeds the Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP) 

guidelines included in the IRWM. 

2. Will the Project improve flow conditions in a natural stream channel? Will the Project restore 

or enhance habitat for non-listed species? If so, how? 

The project will decrease the amount of water the City of Escondido takes from the Colorado 

River and the State Water Project by 3,000 Acre Feet (AF) per year. This extra water will improve 

flow conditions along the river as well as help enhance the habitats created for non-listed species 

by the Colorado River. The project also reduces flow through the ocean outfall because the water 

running through it would instead be treated at the project site and distributed to farmers. The 

Escondido Creek flood control channel near the project site will remain unchanged and 

untouched throughout the whole process. 

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Discharges to Reidy Creek, which flow into the Escondido Creek, will be treated through on site 

Low Impact Design (LID) stormwater ponds which demonstrated a higher water quality entering 

the Waters of the US (Escondido Creek). If flow conditions in the stream channel are increased, 

this benefits the habitat in the creek as described in the project biological report. 

3. Will the Project provide water or habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered species? 

If so, how? 

Because the project site has been deemed too small to house any threatened or endangered 

species, there will not be harm or disruption to them caused by the project. Rather, the MFRO 

facility will produce clean water for the whole Escondido area, effecting any threatened or 

endangered species located within impact of the project. In addition, the project will reduce the 

amount of water taken from the Colorado River and State Water Project by the City of Escondido, 

leaving more water for any threatened or endangered species living along the Colorado River. 

While this may indirectly enhance habitat, the lowered demand for surface water could have a 

positive impact on any species that are relying or living off of these waters. 

4. Will the Project reduce threats to native fish or wildlife, their habitat, or water supply 

reliability, caused by invasive species? If so, how? 

Because the MFRO facility is a drought-proof water supply, it will be very reliable for the City of 

Escondido. There are facilities that are located upstream that are designed to rid the water of 

invasive species. Because there will be less water being transported through these facilities, less 

chemicals will be needed to reach the concentration necessary to rid the water of invasive 

species. This will make it easier to keep invasive species away from the project and result in a 

clean, reliable water supply. 

Since this project’s water quality is better than groundwater, it will reduce threats to wildlife and 

their habitat when farmers use it for irrigation instead of groundwater. 

Evaluation Criterion 3—Economic Benefits (35 Points) 

Subcriterion No. 3a—Cost Effectiveness (10 Points) 

The cost per acre-foot of water expected to be delivered upon completion of the Project and 

how the cost of the Project compares to a water supply alternative. Please use costs related to 

the entire Project, not just the cost of work over the next two years or the phase that is 

currently being constructed. 

1. Reclamation will calculate the cost per acre-foot of water produced by the Project using 

information provided by Project sponsors. Please provide the following information for this 

calculation: 

a. The total estimated construction costs, by year, for the Project (include all previous and 

planned work) as shown in Table 2-2. 

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Table 2-2 – Estimated Construction Costs by 

Year 

Calendar Year Construction Cost 

2021 $17,680,000 

2022 $27,020,000 

b. The total estimated or actual costs to plan and design the Project. 

The total cost for Planning, Design, and Engineering is approximately $5,137,111.00, as identified 

within the “BUDGET INFORMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS_SF-424C” form attached 

herein. 

c. The average annual operation and maintenance costs for the life of the Project. Please do not 

include periodic replacement costs in the operation and maintenance costs. Periodic 

replacement costs should be provided separately in response to (f) below. Note: this is an 

annual cost—not total cost. 

Per the Project Delivery Report, the Project Annual Operation and Maintenance Costs (including 

amortized replacement costs) upon completion is estimated to be $2,400,000 per year. 

d. The year the Project will begin to deliver reclaimed water. 

The Project is anticipated for completion and will be able to deliver enhanced Title 22 recycled 

water by the end of 2022. 

e. The Projected life (in years) that the Project is expected to last. Note: this should be measured 

from the time the Project starts delivering water. 

The projected lifespan of the City’s reclamation project is calculated to be at least 60-years. 

f. All estimated replacement costs by year as shown in Table 2-3. 

Table 2-3 – Replacement Costs by Year 

Description of Replacement Requirements Year Cost 

Project Commissioning 2021 0 

1. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2026 $250,000 

2. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2028 $475,000 

3. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2031 $250,000 

4. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2035 $475,000 

5. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2036 $250,000 

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Table 2-3 – Replacement Costs by Year 

Description of Replacement Requirements Year Cost 

6. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2041 $250,000 

7. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2042 $475,000 

8. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2046 $250,000 

9. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2049 $475,000 

10. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2051 $5,300,000 

11. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2056 $475,000 

12. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2061 $250,000 

13. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2063 $475,000 

14. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2066 $250,000 

15. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2070 $475,000 

16. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2071 $250,000 

17. Replacement of the RO Membranes 2076 $250,000 

18. Replacement of the MF Membranes 2077 $475,000 

19. End of Expected Life 2081 $0 

g. The maximum volume of water (in acre-feet) that will be produced annually upon completion 

of the Project. This volume of water must correspond to the costs provided above. If costs are 

only provided for a portion or phase of the project, then only the water produced by that same 

portion or phase of the project will be considered under this criterion. 

Projected water supply scenarios, demand projections, agriculture water quality requirements, 

and blending conditions have been evaluated as part of this project and the overall Reuse 

Program. As a result, the MFRO Facility treatment systems will be designed for a RO permeate 

production capacity range of 1.5 to 6.1 acre-feet per day. RO permeate will be blended with 

HARRF Title 22 water onsite for a total maximum blended product water capacity of 9.2 acre-feet 

per day. The facility will also be designed to accommodate the installation of additional 

equipment in the future that would produce an additional 3.1 acre-feet per day of RO permeate. 

2. Reclamation will calculate the cost per acre-foot for the Title XVI Project using the information 

requested in Question No. 1 and compare it to the non-reclaimed water alternative, and other 

water supply options identified by the applicant to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the 

Project. Please provide the following information for this comparison: 

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a. A description of the conditions that exist in the area and projections of the future with, and 

without, the Project. 

The area in rural north County San Diego is highly agricultural with numerous groves. These 

industries are high volume water users and typically cannot utilize Title 22 water due to water 

quality issues for their crops. This has caused a large amount of these groves to be reduced 

and/or decommissioned. This has numerous negative effects and offering an alternate water 

supply is the viable answer to maintain these industries. 

b. Provide the cost per acre-foot of other water supply alternatives that could be implemented 

by the non-Federal Project sponsor in lieu of the Project, this must include, but is not limited 

to, one water supply alternative that would satisfy the same demand as the Project. Other 

water supply alternatives are not required but may be provided where available to 

demonstrate cost effectiveness of the Project. 

These costs were reviewed in the North San Diego County Water Reuse Coalition Regional 

Recycled Water Project Final Program Environmental Impact Report, October 2015, and it was 

determined that treating Title 22 recycled water to a higher level was more cost effective if it 

reduced imported potable water. Since these concepts are relatively new, the actual costs for 

this scenario are not available but are in the planning and or construction phases. 

c. If available, provide the cost per acre foot of one water supply project with similar 

characteristics to the Project. This information does not have to be provided if it is not 

available. It is intended to provide another possible comparison to demonstrate the cost 

effectiveness of the Project. 

A cost per acre foot evaluation of a similar project is not readily available to the City. 

d. Discussion of the degree to which the Project is cost-effective. Including, where applicable, a 

discussion of why the Project may be cost effective even if the overall Project cost appears to 

be high. 

Currently, agriculture is a $100,000,000 industry in the City of Escondido. However, recent 

droughts and overseas competition have forced many growers out of business, resulting in the 

loss of thousands of acres of agricultural land. If this downward trend in our agriculture continues 

without a cost-efficient solution to provide more water for our farmers, the economy of the City 

of Escondido will drastically decline. 

Assuming an annual operating cost of $2,400,000 and a lifetime of at least 60 years, the total 

lifetime operating costs of the proposed project will be approximately $144,000,000. Adding the 

total Project cost of $44,700,000 results in a total cost of $188,700,000, ignoring any borrowing 

costs, which may be as much as an additional $10,000,000. While the costs may appear to be 

high, the proposed facility will generate 3,000 AF per year over 60 years, for a total of 180,000 

AF. Thus, a rough estimate of the cost per AF is $1,060. These estimates do not include revenue 

from sales of recycled water and ignore borrowing cost. One alternative to the project could be 

receiving treated water from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). The City of 

Escondido currently does not receive treated water from the San Diego County Water Authority, 

only raw, but their pricing for treated water is listed at $1,194 per AF, around $200 more than 

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the calculated cost per AF of the proposed project. This would also involve having to transport 

more water into Escondido, instead of being able to process it and clean it in the city, which 

would provide easier access to our farmers as well as limit the greenhouse gases and wasted 

energy from transporting the water to Escondido. 

Subcriterion No. 3b—Economic Analysis and Project Benefits (25 points) 

Points will be awarded based on the analysis of the Project’s benefits relative to the Project’s 

costs. Please use costs related to the entire Project, not just the cost of work over the next two 

years. 

1. Summarize the economic analysis performed for the Project, including information on the 

Project’s estimated benefits and costs. Describe the methodologies used for the analysis that 

has been conducted. Points will be awarded based on a comparison of the benefits and costs 

of the Project. The information provided should include: 

a. Quantified and monetized Project costs, including capital costs and operations and 

maintenance costs. 

The capital and O&M costs are calculated utilizing Industry standard cost estimating standards 

and the Department of the Interior Cost Estimating Handbook for requirements at each phase. 

The O&M period costs include the BOR required four components: 

• Inspection 

• Sampling and analysis 

• Routine maintenance 

• Reporting 

The method utilized for capital costs is to use manufacturer costs and then use costs for each 

process since and compare to similar facilities. Since each project is slightly different, a project 

contingency is added to account for bidding anomalies, etc. 

b. Quantified and monetized Project benefits, includes benefits that can be quantified and 

expressed as a monetized benefit per acre-foot. This may include, but is not limited to, benefits 

related to water supply quantity and water supply reliability, recreational benefits, ecosystem 

benefits, water quality, energy efficiency, and environmental compliance and permitting. 

Benefits may also include the avoided costs of no action, and the willingness of users or 

customers to pay for a benefit or to avoid a negative outcome. If qualified and/or monetized 

information for these benefits is not available, they may be addressed in response to Question 

2 below. 

The economic impact of agriculture on the City of Escondido is approximately $100,000,000 per 

year. Recent droughts and overseas competition have forced many growers out of business, 

resulting in the loss of thousands of acres of agricultural land. An inexpensive, drought-proof 

water supply would help Escondido’s farmers remain competitive, stop loss of agricultural land, 

and preserve this vital industry in Escondido. Assuming an annual operating cost of $2,400,000 

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and a lifetime of at least 60 years, the total lifetime operating costs will be approximately 

$144,000,000. Adding the construction costs of $35,010,000 results in a total cost of 

$179,010,000, ignoring any borrowing costs, which may be as much as an additional $10,000,000. 

The proposed facility will generate 3,000 AF per year over 60 years, for a total of 180,000 AF. 

With a total lifetime cost expected to be $179,010,000, a rough estimate of the cost per AF of 

the recycled water is $1,060. Compared to the cities price of $1,194 per AF of treated water, this 

offers a less expensive alternative. On top of that, this is a drought-resistant water supply, so 

this water will be available to Escondido’s farmers all the time. Ultimately this provides a cheaper 

per acre foot cost and a higher water quality to the farmers and preserves one of Escondido’s 

most important economic assets. 

The costs for potable water, Title 22, and the proposed treated Title 22 water will be measured 

through the individual meters and an actual cost provided after the initial year of project 

implementation. 

c. A comparison of the Project’s quantified and monetized benefits and costs. Provide a 

comprehensive comparison of the Project’s benefits and cost. 

This information is not available at this time, but is estimated to be available after several years 

of project implementation. This will be through all of the various project streams, monitoring 

costs, O&M costs, etc. 

d. A comparison of the Project’s quantified and monetized benefits and costs. Provide a 

comprehensive comparison of the Project’s benefits and cost. 

The City of Escondido has developed a potable reuse program based upon a feasibility study 

produced in August 2014. The goal of study was to consider deferring or eliminating the need 

for a new outfall through 2050 and to develop a potable reuse program, including a review of the 

complete recycled water system, that benefits water supply, provides rate stability, and supports 

the local economy. To accomplish this key program goal, the project team evaluated upgrading 

the City’s wastewater disposal systems, expanding its existing water recycling efforts, and options 

to ultimately move toward potable reuse involving the following three major elements: 

• Perform a programmatic planning study that develops near-term and long-term reuse 

alternatives and determines the associated feasibility, costs, and benefits 

• Prepare a cost-of-service analysis to evaluate the cost of recycled water in the existing system 

• Develop an implementation plan for moving forward with the Reuse Program 

The MFRO facility is one of several projects that are part of the program and is scheduled to be 

constructed in phase A of a Phase A, B, and C program. Each individual element of the program 

has undergone a rigorous rough and fine screening process, with consideration of capital, 

operations and maintenance costs. A detailed financial model was created to evaluate planninglevel cash flow requirements and water costs of the reuse program and the Baseline Condition 

(outfall replacement) options. The following chart summarize the inputs and variables in the 

financial model, the scenarios evaluated, and the results. 

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$40 

$30 

§ $20 ~ 

C 

~ $10 

~ 

·= 

$0 

($30) 

($40) 

($50) m 

.... ~ ::l 

2 2 2 

N 

N 

2 

Annual Scenario Cashflows 

"' ~ .... .,. " 0 m N m m m .,. .,. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 

Reuse Program 

(incl. outfall rehab) 

"' ~ N "' 00 .... "' "' "' "' "' 2 2 2 2 2 2 

.,. 

"' 2 " "' 2 

~ Baseline .....,_Reuse+Outfa ll - Reuse Revenues 

R m "' "' N 

" ,-. ,-. 00 

2 2 2 2 2 

The cash flow model results are favorable for the reuse program versus the Baseline Condition. 

The cash flow expenditure rates for the reuse program are slower and lower in magnitude than 

those for the Baseline Condition. The reuse program revenues help offset financing the reuse 

infrastructure and would eventually drive full cost recovery depending on the rate charged by 

the City. On a cumulative basis, the reuse program is predicted to save the City over $1 billion 

compared to the Baseline Condition by 2065, which is a reasonable comparison point based on 

the useful life of the proposed infrastructure. 

The models were also used to calculate the gross and net costs of water for comparison to 

existing and new water sources. To determine the water costs, it was assumed that the 

cumulative cash flows for the City would need to be $0 at year 2065. The gross costs (costs to do 

the program overall) resulted in water costs ranging from approximately $1,500 to $1,700 per 

acre-foot. This is above the existing untreated water costs of $1,100/AF, but substantially below 

other new water costs, such as the recent Carlsbad Desalination supply costs of $2,300/AF. Even 

with potable water treatment costs added, the reuse program gross costs are attractive and less 

than those for the Carlsbad Desalination costs. When the Baseline Condition is factored in (i.e., 

the costs that would have to be paid to address the outfall without the reuse program), the costs 

drop to approximately $600/AF to $800/AF. This is referred to as the net costs and the results 

support the overall conclusions that the reuse program is the appropriate investment. 

2. Some Project benefits may be difficult to quantify and/or monetize. Describe any economic 

benefits of the Project that are not captured above or that are difficult to quantify and/or 

monetize. Provide a qualitative discussion of the economic impact of these benefits. Points will 

be awarded based on the potential economic impact of the Project-related benefits. Some 

examples of benefits may include, but are not limited to, acres of land or stream miles that 

may be benefitted or not harmed, benefits to habitat or species, flood risk mitigation, local 

impacts on residents and/or businesses, job creation, and regional impacts. This may also 

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include benefits listed in question 1, if they have not been monetized (e.g., water reliability, 

water quality, recreation, etc.). 

The following are all benefits that are difficult to quantify, however, these benefits are direct and 

indirect benefits to the City and make a large impact to the surrounding community, 

environment, and resources in the area. Those direct and indirect benefits are described below: 

• Reducing Green House Gas emissions by minimizing the amount of imported water, minimizing 

the amount of raw water needs to be pumped to Escondido, preventing agricultural workers from 

having to travel to remotely located farms, and supporting the agriculture industry which reduces 

CO2 in the atmosphere (supporting the Lima-Paris Action Plan) 

• Encouraging the agricultural economy which has suffered recently due to the cost of water. 

Lower water prices will sustain avocado grove profitability and the local economy. 

• Assisting with the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) in Escondido and the Water Shortage 

and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) operated by San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). 

• Increasing the use of Title 22 recycled water from HARRF, minimizing the chances having nontreated discharges to the Escondido Creek, and avoiding the limitations imposed by the California 

Regional Water Quality Board Order number R9-2015-0026. 

• The design includes an aesthetically pleasing addition to the surrounding neighborhood, 

minimizing concerns from business owners. Community outreach which includes communicating 

the details of the project, and gathering feedback from the community, will continue as the 

project progresses through construction, commissioning and start-up. 

• Utilizes existing infrastructure, minimizing excavation in the right of way outside of the MFRO 

Facility site. The Title 22 recycled water feed line and the brine line are existing. 

• The alternative water source accommodates the City of Escondido with more local and tourist 

recreation due to a reduction in the demand placed on Lake Wohlford and Dixon Lake. 

• Reduces water taken from Lake Wohlford and Dixon Lake which provides greater flexibility in 

preserving water levels for recreation and maintaining riparian habitat. Assists with taking 

advantage of upgrades to the Lake Wohlford dam designed to restore historical capacity of 6500 

acre-feet. 

• Stabilizing and rehabilitating groves/trees reduces the carbon footprint because local growers 

translate to less imported fruit, less long-distance transportation to deliver the fruit, and less 

global emissions. 

• The MFRO Facility, using Low Impact Design (LID), enhances the water quality of any storm water 

discharges that enter the adjacent Escondido Creek. 

• Conserves SDG&E resources (time, money, man-power) associated with the Water Infrastructure 

and System Efficiency Program (WISE) 

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Evaluation Criterion 4—Department of Interior and Bureau of Reclamation Priorities (10 

Points) 

The Project supports the Department of the Interior and Reclamation priorities as presented 

below by reprinting the priorities listed in the application and providing a response to each (You 

may address only the parts of a priority that are applicable. It is not necessary to address 

priorities, or parts of priorities, that are not applicable to your Project. (A Project will not 

necessarily receive more points simply because multiple priorities are addressed. The points 

available under this criterion will not be divided among the priorities, and projects will not be 

penalized if some of the priorities are not applicable. Points will be allocated based on the degree 

to which the Project supports one or more of the Priorities listed, and whether the connection to 

the priority(ies) is well supported in the proposal.): 

1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt 

a. Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to 

changes in the environment. 

The Reuse Program generally includes constructing a Membrane Filtration (MF) and Reverse 

Osmosis (RO) water treatment facility (MFRO Facility) for agriculture reuse, a pipeline extension 

from the existing recycled water supply system to the MFRO facility, the development of a brine 

reject waste return pipeline to HARRF, converting the existing 1.2 million gallon (mg) Hogback 

Tank to a recycled water storage and agriculture supply reservoir, and a new agriculture reuse 

conveyance and distribution system. The program also includes a future potable water reuse 

Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) that may be implemented based on successful 

MFRO Facility operations and anticipated future development of potable reuse regulations. The 

AWPF may be located at the same site as the MFRO Facility. The MFRO Facility will utilize multiple 

systems including membrane, cleaning and maintenance, pumping, storage, piping, chemical 

feed, building mechanical, electrical and instrumentation and control systems for water 

treatment and overall facility development. The long-lead equipment items including the 

Membrane Filtration (MF) System and Reverse Osmosis (RO) System will be designed by MF 

System Supplier and RO System Supplier. The equipment will be designed and procured by the 

City concurrent with the overall facility design. 

The agricultural economy of Escondido has suffered lately due to the high cost of water as well 

as recent drought. However, this project will encourage that sector of the economy by providing 

a drought proof water supply as well as lower water prices that will support the avocado grove 

profitability and, in turn, the local economy. 

b. Examine land use planning processes and land use designations that govern public use and 

access. 

The project site is located within a developed area located on City owned land. Surrounding land 

uses consist of commercial and industrial developments. The site occurs on flat land, at an 

elevation range of approximately 672 feet above amsl to 674 amsl. The project site itself is largely 

disturbed, consisting of very little vegetation throughout most of the site. Sparse ornamental 

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trees are located along the northern, western, and eastern edges of the site, both within and just 

outside project boundaries. Reidy Creek Flood Control Channel, a concrete-lined channel with no 

riparian vegetation, is located to the south of the project site and parallels the southern border. 

Historical uses on the project site, such as vehicle use, equipment storage, and stockpiling, have 

significantly reduced the quality of the habitat on the project site. 

To minimize excavation in the right-of-way outside of the MFRO facility site, the project utilizes 

existing infrastructure. The existing Title 22 recycled water feed line, and brine line, have been 

installed as part of previous investments by the City of Escondido in this project. The project also 

provides the potential for alternative energy sources with solar power and potentially future 

wind power. 

A Biological Resources Assessment was conducted in January 2019 to evaluate biological 

resources within the project site and surrounding vicinity, and provide biological 

recommendations based on literature reviews, and the survey of the project site. Prior to 

conducting the field survey, biologists conducted a database search and review of the California 

Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) (CDFW, 

2016) and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Rare Plant Inventory (CNPS, 2016) for recorded 

occurrences of special-status plant and wildlife species within the Escondido, California 7.5-

minute USGS topographic quadrangle and the eight surrounding USGS quadrangles. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) IPaC Trust Resource Report for federally-sensitive 

biological resources known to occur near the Project site was also reviewed (USFWS 2016). 

Combined, the sources reviewed provided a comprehensive baseline from which to inventory 

the biological resources potentially occurring on the project site and within the general area. 

c. Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review process while maintaining 

environmental standards. 

The City is nearing completion of the CEQA Plus document . The Mitigation and Monitoring and 

Reporting Plan (MMRP) is a part of the IS/MND. The MMRP will be included as a part of the 

Contract Documents which ensures the environmental requirements will be implemented as the 

project progresses. 

d. Review DOI water storage, transportation, and distribution systems to identify opportunities 

to resolve conflicts and expand capacity. 

The proposed project does comply with the Department of Interior’s water storage, 

transportation, and distribution systems guidelines. The project provides a water conservation 

alternative. The proposed project will recycle water that would otherwise be discharged into the 

ocean and use this water to support the farmers of Escondido. 

The project also reduces potable water demands and therefore assists the Water Shortage 

Contingency Plan (WSCP) in Escondido and the Water Shortage and Drought Response Plan 

(WSDRP) operated by San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). It also increases available 

capacity in the Escondido Land Outfall (ELO). 

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LOCATIQ~ \,'. 

~, . . . 

' 

CA Dept of Parks and Recreattoo 

CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife 

- Olher State Lands 

Nallonal Park Service 

USDA Forest Service 

Bureau of Reclamauon 

Bureau of land Management 

US Fish and Wild life Service 

Tnbal Trust Lands 

Department of Defense 

- Other Federal Lands 

e. Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and 

use of public lands. 

The City of Escondido’s Utilities Department is part of the California Urban Water Conservation 

Council (CUWCC), which promotes, educates, and provides resources (such as outreach and 

educational resources) to encourage water conservation amongst its members for the 

betterment of the ratepayers. The City’s proposed recycled water project will promote and 

implement these ideals through the reclamation and recycling of wastewater that normally 

would be flushed out to sea and recaptured for agricultural usage. 

The project assists with the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) in Escondido and the Water 

Shortage and Drought Response Plan (WSDRP) operated by San Diego County Water Authority 

(SDCWA). 

Additionally, the City of Escondido is an active participant in the North San Diego Water Reuse 

Coalition, a group of 9 North San Diego County water and wastewater agencies who work 

collaboratively to expand the region’s recycled water production and use. One of the primary 

goals of this group is to improve inter-agency cooperation. 

f. Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing. 

In the figure below, the yellow represents the lands designated by the Bureau of Land 

Management or (BLM-Land). BLM-Land provides the opportunities to hunt and fish. The City 

supports all such efforts, however the MFRO Facility Project is shown many miles from such 

opportunities. 

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g. Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to 

access. 

The City favors every attempt to provide greater public access to public lands, it is not applicable 

to the MFRO Facility since the location of the recycling treatment facility and distribution 

pipelines service farmers in Escondido, California, and any transfer of lands, public or private, are 

not practical. However, this project has been located/sited in a parcel with few other potential 

uses for the public so as not to encumber land that could be utilized for public access. This 

treatment facility will be offered to the public for tours once in operation. 

2. Utilizing our natural resources 

a. Ensure American energy is available to meet our security and economic needs 

Recycled water is often an underutilized resource, which our project will help the farmers of 

Escondido take advantage of. Historically, the City has imported approximately 20,000 AF 

annually, which is very energy intensive. These imports come from two sources: The State Water 

Project, and the Colorado River, with each source representing about half of the import. This 

project will offset about 3,000 AF annually of imported water. If we assign half of this offset to 

each of our primary sources, then the Colorado River and the State Water Project import will 

each be offset by 1,500 AF, allowing that water to be used by other cities experiencing water 

shortages. This will also be a drought-proof water supply, meaning it will meet demands even 

during drought periods. Escondido’s farming community is currently served with potable water 

for irrigation. However, this potable supply is subject to curtailment. In fact, curtailments were 

in effect in 2015 – 2016 that significantly reduced available agricultural water. Farmers who 

connect to the recycled water system will no longer be subject to curtailment of water deliveries 

and will constantly have access to the water they need to grow their crops. 

Currently there is a peak in non-recycled water usage between 7 and 9 AM. After construction of 

the MFRO Plant, agricultural users will be able to irrigate with the treated water at varying times; 

reducing stress and competition on daily peak potable water demands. 

The MFRO plant has many different technologies and resultant effects that conserve energy 

throughout the city of Escondido. First, Variable Frequency Drive's (VFD) reduce pump energy 

usage by about $250,000 annually, based on $0.15 per KWH. Next, the plant conserves energy 

by reducing the amount of agricultural users utilizing personal wellheads and Reverse-Osmosis 

(RO) systems by providing less expensive, and better quality, water in a centralized location with 

more efficient pumps which results in reduced energy use and energy efficiency evaluation and 

monitoring in fewer locations. Finally, the plant reduces energy used at the Escondido water 

treatment plant due to lower flows, since agricultural use will be from the MFRO facility. The 

lower amount of water treated results in less energy used by the treatment plant's high service 

pumps. 

b. Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare earth minerals needed for 

scientific, technological, or military applications 

The project does not restrict access to any mineral resources. However, this project has been 

located/sited in a parcel with few other potential uses for the public so as not to encumber land 

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that could be utilized for mineral resources, or other scientific, technological, or military 

applications. 

c. Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire “healthy forests” lifecycle 

This project allows groves to stay healthy and not be abandoned. If this project is not 

implemented, then the potential for these groves to be abandoned is higher which causes harm 

to the groves and micro ecosystem. This project also reduces the demand of potable water which 

can be used for healthy forests and keeps this water for these purposes, and the majority of the 

construction will limit the use of timber by primarily using steel or concrete. 

d. Manage competition for grazing resources 

While this project does not have a direct impact on grazing land it reduces overall potable water 

demand allowing redirection to water for other purposes. 

3. Restoring trust with local communities 

a. Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and 

relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands 

A major benefit of this project is providing alternate water supply sources to local customers and 

being a steward of the local resources. Since many native American tribes utilize groundwater 

resources this project will potentially eliminate large users from utilizing the groundwater supply. 

b. Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and 

Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities 

The purpose of the Project is to provide a high-quality water supply low in TDS and chlorides to 

local avocado growers, who serve a vital role in the City of Escondido’s economy. While planning 

the site of the project, a Sacred Lands File search for the project APE completed by the Native 

American Heritage Commission (NAHC) yielded positive results. The San Luis Rey Band of Mission 

Indians indicated that sensitive discoveries have occurred immediately north of the Escondido 

Creek channel, and that the project area is considered sensitive to the tribe. Additionally, letters 

regarding the project were sent on March 8, 2019 to all contacts listed by the NAHC. One 

response been received. In a letter dated March 22, 2019, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians 

(Viejas) indicated that the general project area has cultural significance or ties to Viejas and 

requested that a Kumeyaay Cultural Monitor be on site for ground disturbing activities to inform 

them of any new developments such as inadvertent discovery of cultural artifacts, cremation 

sites, or human remains. In accordance with the requirements of AB 52, the City sent notification 

to four Native American Tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area on 

July 31, 2019. In a response dated August 12, 2019, the Rincon Band of LuiseoIndians (Luiseo) 

identified the location as being within the Territory of the Luiseño people, and also within 

Rincon’s specific area of historic interest. Furthermore, Rincon identified one Luiseoplace name 

within close proximity to the project site. As such, Luiseño requests the completion of an 

archaeological record search and assessment with results being provided to the Rincon Band. 

This consultation and outreach to the neighboring tribes satisfied Assembly Bill AB-52 as well as 

the CEQA consultation requirements. 

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Construction related CWRCB MMRPs and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance 

measures will be presented and stressed during the construction kick-off meeting. Strict 

monitoring of related activities will be performed throughout the duration of construction. The 

project also Achieves California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) goals and requirements, 

through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). 

Maintaining Lake Wohlford and Lake Dixon levels are necessary, as assisted by the project, to 

comply with both respective Multiple Habitat Conservation Plans (MHCP) for riparian/wetlands 

and to promote the San Diego County Vector Control Program, encouraged by the City of 

Escondido. 

The project utilizes existing infrastructure minimizing excavation in the right of way outside of 

the MFRO facility site. The existing Title 22 recycled water feed line, and the brine line, have been 

install as part of previous investments by the City of Escondido in this project. The MFRO plant is 

also proposed to be constructed upon previously disturbed City owned land. Additionally, site 

grading requirements associated with the facility design will reduce sediment entering Reidy 

Creek. Reidy Creek flows into Escondido Creek, which carries sediment to San Elijo Lagoon which 

is a 303(d)-listed waterbody due to sediment (IRWM pgs. 5-33 & 5-34). The MFRO facility 

improves current grading conditions and eliminates sediment entering the creek. Finally, the 

design includes an aesthetically pleasing addition to the surrounding neighborhood minimizing 

complaints from commercial and industrial owners. 

The proposed project also includes an Outreach Program. This program will be used as a platform 

to keep the community informed about the project itself as well as the progress of the project as 

it is being built. 

4. Striking a regulatory balance 

a. Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S. industry and the public 

This project does not have a minimal regulatory burden since it complies with existing 

regulations. All of the environmental processes have been completed with no conflicts due to 

the fact that this is an environmentally safe and follows all regional planning studies goals for the 

project. For example, the implementation of the MFRO Facility will reduce Green House Gas 

emissions associated with treatment and conveyance of raw and treated drinking water supplies 

currently used by growers for crop irrigation. 

The project does not require new regulations to be analyzed with pilot studies, etc,. but solely 

applies existing regulations to the project. 

b. Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough 

analysis. 

The potential for the project site to support special-status plant and wildlife species is low due to 

its location, size, level of disturbance, and poor-quality habitat. No special-status plants were 

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detected during the field survey and are not expected to occur; thus, no impacts to special-status 

plants would occur and no mitigation measures are required. 

5. Modernizing our infrastructure 

a. Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure 

Modern infrastructure adapts to emerging technology. Although this is not technically a 

Public/Private partnership it does require partnership with the private agricultural industries to 

abandon groundwater sources and utilize new enhances Title 22 recycled water. 

b. Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate private sector efforts to 

construct infrastructure Projects serving American needs 

The new MFRO facility provides the opportunity for new technologies in the area, promoting 

private sector efforts that can improve service to the agricultural users using the enhanced 

recycled water. 

c. Prioritize DOI infrastructure needs to highlight: 

i. Construction of infrastructure 

This new infrastructure proposed project is supporting collaboration between the public and 

private sectors. The City of Escondido (Public), is building a water treatment facility to support 

the farmers of the area (private). Together these groups are working to modernize infrastructure 

in the area and support the economy of Escondido. 

ii. Cyclical maintenance 

Cyclical maintenance will be needed on the proposed project, but the project budget accounts 

for these expenditures. The design provides easy access to the membranes, and selection of 

state-of-the-art technology and equipment allows cyclical maintenance to occur less frequently 

and efficiently. 

iii. Deferred maintenance 

No part of the project is related to deferred maintenance. The MFRO project proposed does defer 

replacement of the wastewater outfall by reducing flows sent to the outfall, therefore increasing 

available capacity through Year 2060. The project also expedites a new, high quality supply to 

local agriculture and helps to promote and support the local economy. The project measurably 

decreases Escondido’s vulnerability to drought or water supply depletion and reduces the 

reliance on imported and potable water by producing a new, high quality water supply to local 

agriculture. The MFRO Facility will provide advanced treatment to Title 22 recycled water 

produced at Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) for agriculture use. The facility will 

utilize membrane filtration (i.e. microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes (MF/UF)) and 

reverse osmosis (RO) technologies sized for a minimum RO permeate production capacity of 0.5 

million gallons per day (MGD), and a maximum permeate production capacity of 2.0 MGD. 

Provisions for potential future treatment equipment installation include an additional 1.0 MGD 

of RO production capacity. High quality treated water (RO permeate) will be blended with Title 

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22 recycled water within an on-site, potentially partially buried blend tank and then pumped offsite for distribution to agriculture users. 

Reclamation Priorities 

1. Increase Water Supplies, Storage, and Reliability under WIIN and other Authorities 

Recycled water is often an underutilized resource, which this project will help the farmers of 

Escondido take advantage of. Historically, the City has imported approximately 20,000 AF 

annually, which is very energy intensive. These imports come from two sources: The State Water 

Project, and the Colorado River, with each source representing about half of the import. This 

project will offset about 3,000 AF annually of imported water. If we assign half of this offset to 

each of our primary sources, then the Colorado River and the State Water Project import will 

each be offset by 1,500 AF, allowing that water to be used by other cities experiencing water 

shortages. This will also be a drought-proof water supply, meaning it will meet demands even 

during drought periods. Escondido’s farming community is currently served with potable water 

for irrigation. However, this potable supply is subject to curtailment. In fact, curtailments were 

in effect in 2015 – 2016 that significantly reduced available agricultural water. Farmers who 

connect to the recycled water system will no longer be subject to curtailment of water deliveries 

and will constantly have access to the water they need to grow their crops. Title XVI, WIIN and 

other Authorities help to financially support project such as this. 

2. Streamline Regulatory Processes and Remove Unnecessary Burdens to Provide More Water and 

Power Supply Reliability 

This project has the following key benefits to provide more water and power supply reliability: 

x reduces energy due to reducing the amount of long-distance raw water pumping from the State 

Water Project and Colorado River; 

x reduces stress on daily peak potable water demand as it allows agricultural users to irrigate at 

varying times and provides more supply from the recycled water system; 

x Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) reduces pump energy usage and provides more energy 

reliability; and 

x conserves energy by reducing the number of agricultural users utilizing personal wellheads and 

Reverse-Osmosis (RO) systems. 

3. Leverage Science and Technology to Improve Water Supply Reliability to Communities 

This project includes membrane filtration (MF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) equipment to further 

treat recycled water to a level in which it can be used by agricultural customers in lieu of potable 

water for irrigation. Many years of science and testing have been done to get the MF and RO 

technologies were they are today, and continue to be developed trending toward potable reuse. 

This best available technology meets the goals of the Escondido community at large by producing 

an agricultural recycled water supply and reducing this demand from the potable water supply 

system, resulting in a more reliable supply of water for the agricultural communities. By moving 

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agricultural demands from the potable to recycled water system, more potable water is available 

for residential communities. 

In addition to MF and RO technologies, the Project will utilize multiple other technologies 

including: clean in place systems, pumps, chemical feed systems, building mechanical, electrical 

and instrumentation and control systems for water treatment and overall facility development. 

4. Address Ongoing Drought 

This project provides a drought tolerant water supply for agricultural customers separate from 

the potable water supply. Sewage flows only reduce minimally during drought conditions and 

after advanced treatment would be a more reliable source for agricultural users. This project 

will offset about 3,000 AF annually of imported water. If we assign half of this offset to each of 

our primary sources, then the Colorado River and the State Water Project import will each be 

offset by 1,500 AF, allowing that water to be used by other cities experiencing water shortages. 

The agricultural economy of Escondido has suffered lately due to the high cost of water as well 

as recent drought. However, this project will encourage that sector of the economy by 

providing a drought proof water supply as well as lower water prices that will support the 

avocado grove profitability and, in turn, the local economy. 

5. Improve the Value of Hydropower to Reclamation Power Customers 

This project involves the storage and conveyance of an advanced treated reclamation water 

supply. This does not directly impact Hydropower but conserves energy and advances 

reclamation usage as outlined in the BOR’s other Reclamation Principles. 

6. Improve Water Supplies for Tribal and Rural Communities 

The Project sponsor’s service area is The City of Escondido. While there is a population greater 

than 50,000 in the city itself, the area surrounding the city is considered rural farmland. 

The project benefits Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) by reducing stress on the potable water 

treatment and distribution systems and postponing associated related rate increases. The MFRO 

Facility was selected based on economic analysis. 

Throughout the City of Escondido, there are many economically disadvantaged communities as 

seen in the figure in this application. 

7. Implementation of new Title Transfer authority pursuant to P.L. 116-9 

The Bureau of Reclamation has established the transfer process to construct dams, canals, and 

hydropower plants that provide water and power in the 17 western states. The title transfer 

process followed a framework that Reclamation and its partners collaboratively developed, and 

which included NEPA and other legal requirements, and involved project stakeholders. This same 

principle is involved in this project to involve stakeholders and associated entities to develop 

reclamation infrastructure. However, this project does not involve official Title transfer per the 

March 12, 2019, the President signed into law the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management 

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and Recreation Act (P.L. 116-9). Title VIII of this Act it does act to continue the construction of 

reclamation storage and conveyance facilities. 

Evaluation Criterion 5—Reclamation’s Obligations and Benefits to Rural or Economically 

Disadvantaged Communities (8 points) 

Subcriterion No. 5a—Legal and Contractual Water Supply Obligations (4 Points) 

The Project indirectly relates to the Reclamation’s mission and/or serves a Federal interest 

regarding Legal and Contractual Water Supply Obligations as follows (Does the Project help 

fulfill any of Reclamation’s legal or contractual obligations such as providing water for tribes, 

water right settlements, river restoration, minimum flows, legal court orders, or other 

obligations? Explain. Note: a Project may help Reclamation fulfill its obligations even if the 

project sponsor is not a Reclamation contractor, and indirect benefits to Reclamation will also 

be considered under this criterion.) 

The project indirectly relates to the Reclamation’s mission and serves as an indirect federal 

interest regarding water supply the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights by potentially using less raw 

water for agricultural uses from the San Luis Rey River. The extent to which the settlement, San 

Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988, P.L. 100-512, has been fulfilled and any 

possible advantage the project could have, though extremely small, has not been assessed. 

Subcriterion No. 5b—Benefits to Rural or Economically Disadvantaged Communities (4 Points) 

The Project serves rural communities and/or economically disadvantaged communities in rural 

and/or urban areas as presented below by reprinting the questions and providing responses to 

related application questions: 

1. Does the Project serve a rural or economically disadvantaged community? If so, provide 

supporting information. A rural community is defined as a community with fewer than 50,000 

people. 

The purpose of this project is to provide clean, recycled water to the farmers of Escondido. Even 

though the project site is located in the city with a population greater than 50,000 people, the 

water treated from the project is transported to the farmers on the outskirts of town which is 

considered a rural community. 

The project is located within a disadvantaged community, as shown in the figure below. 

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0 400 800 

~ Severefy Disadvantaged Commurwty 

c:::::::::J <>sadv.ant.,g<dc:am-.ruly 

PROPOSED PROJECT 

SITE SIZE: 10.3 AC 

- ' 

2. Are any rural or economically disadvantaged communities within the Project sponsor’s service 

area? If so, provide supporting information. This may include neighborhoods or census tracts 

within a larger service area that are economically disadvantaged, and/or rural areas that are 

part of a larger urban area. 

The Project sponsor’s service area is The City of Escondido. While there is a population greater 

than 50,000 in the city itself, the area surrounding the city is considered rural farmland. 

The project benefits Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) by reducing stress on the water 

treatment and distribution system and postponing associated related rate increases. The MFRO 

Facility was selected based on economic analysis. 

Throughout the City of Escondido, there are many economically disadvantaged communities as 

seen in the figure below 

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Evaluation Criterion 6—Watershed Perspective (10 Points) 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the Project promotes or applies a 

watershed perspective by implementing an integrated resources management approach, 

implementing a regional planning effort, forming collaborative partnerships with other 

entities, or conducting public outreach. 

A watershed perspective generally means an approach to planning directed at meeting the 

needs of geographically dispersed localities across a region or a watershed that will take 

advantage of economies of scale and foster opportunities for partnerships. This approach also 

takes into account the interconnectedness of water and land resources, encourages the active 

participation of all interested groups, and uses the full spectrum of technical disciplines in 

activities and decision making. 

The Project promotes and applies a watershed perspective by implementing an integrated 

resources management approach, implementing a regional planning effort, forming collaborative 

partnerships with other entities, and conducting public outreach. Specifics are presented below 

by reprinting the questions and providing responses to related application questions: 

1. Does the Project implement a regional or state water plan or an integrated resource 

management plan? Explain. 

Yes. The recycling infrastructure for Escondido, of which this project is part, has been partially 

funded through the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) process. 

Approximately $2,000,000 is funded through the IRWM Proposition 84 process to construct the 

MFRO Facility. The award of this grant demonstrates how this project is consistent with the 2013 

San Diego IRWM Plan (http://www.sdirwmp.org/2013-irwm-plan-update), which has the 

following goals: 

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• Improve the reliability and sustainability of regional water supplies. 

• Protect and enhance water quality. 

• Protect and enhance our watersheds and natural resources. 

• Promote and support sustainable integrated water resource management. 

This project helps improve the reliability and sustainability of regional water supplies by taking 

treated wastewater and reusing it for agricultural use, rather than transporting the treated 

wastewater over 20 miles for discharge into the ocean. Providing agriculture with an alternative 

source of water allows existing water supplies to be directed to its highest and best use (potable 

water supply). 

This project also addresses the following objectives in the 2013 California IRWM plan: 

• Objective A – Encourage integrated solutions to water management issues and conflicts 

Southern California has recently experienced an extended drought coupled with State-wide 

water supply issues (limitations of water supply from the Colorado River and protection of smelt 

in the Bay Delta), which has made it clear that the region needs to find its own sources of water 

to supplement supply from historical sources. Recycling wastewater helps reduce the demand 

for supply from outside sources. 

• Objective B – Maximize stakeholder and community involvement and stewardship: 

Some of the water that is being recycled originates from another agency (City of San Diego), 

which supports this project. In addition, this project is included in the preliminary environmental 

impact report and feasibility study prepared by the North San Diego County Water Reuse 

Coalition, a group of North San Diego County water and wastewater agencies. 

• Objective E – Develop and maintain a diverse mix of water resources: 

Southern California has historically relied on imports from outside of the region. Recycling water 

allows us to diversify our water sources. 

• Objective F – Construct, operate, and maintain a reliable infrastructure system: 

At present we are largely dependent on imported water. However, this is dependent on our 

ability to obtain water imports. Water recycling facilities will form part of a reliable infrastructure 

system in the future. 

The City passed a resolution in August 2015 supporting the 2013 San Diego IRWM Plan. The City 

of Escondido is represented in the IRWM planning process through the San Diego County Water 

Authority. 

2. Does the Project help meet the water supply needs of a large geographic area, region, or 

watershed? Explain. 

Yes, Escondido is home to hundreds of acres of farmland, which the project will supply water. 

Currently, much of this water flows to the outfall and into the ocean because it is deemed unfit 

for agricultural use, but if it gets treated by the proposed project, it will be recycled and help 

meet the water supply needs of the large farming community of Escondido. 

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The project does help meet the water supply of a large area because it reduces water taken from 

Lake Wohlford, Lake Dixon, the San Luis Rey Watershed, and other imported sources for 

agricultural uses. This will help supply water to other communities in needs, as well as help 

maintain water levels in natural resources such as the lakes. 

3. Does the Project promote collaborative partnerships to address water-related issues? Explain. 

Yes, The City of Escondido’s Utilities Department is part of the California Urban Water 

Conservation Council (CUWCC), which promotes, educates, and provides resources (such as 

outreach and educational resources) to encourage water conservation amongst its members for 

the betterment of the ratepayers. The City’s proposed recycled water project will promote and 

implement these ideals through the reclamation and recycling of wastewater that normally 

would be flushed out to sea and recaptured for agricultural usage. 

Additionally, the City is an active participant in the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, a 

group of 9 North San Diego County water and wastewater agencies who work collaboratively to 

expand the region’s recycled water production and use. One of the primary goals of this group is 

to improve inter-agency cooperation. 

Finally, the project itself is a collaboration between public and private sectors. The City of 

Escondido (public) has spearheaded this treatment project to stop wasting recycled water by 

discharging it into the ocean. This recycled water will be provided to the farmers (private) of 

Escondido, helping grow their businesses and boost the economy of Escondido. 

4. Does the project include public outreach and opportunities for the public to learn about the 

project? Explain. 

Yes, part of the project plan includes an outreach program to provide the public with information 

on the project itself as well as the effects of the proposed project. The outreach program is also 

designed to update the public on the progress of construction as it is being built. It is also 

anticipated that public tours of the facility will be held once operational. 

Outreach, meetings and responses have been accomplished with construction monitoring 

requirements agreed upon and established with California Native American Tribes to fulfill 

Assembly Bill AB-52 and the CEQA consultation requirements. 

The project has also achieved California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) goals and 

requirements, through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Additionally, construction 

related CWRCB MMRPs and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance measures will 

be presented and stressed during the construction kick-off meeting. Strict monitoring of related 

activities will be performed throughout the duration of construction. 

The project also works to maintain Lake Wohlford and Dixon Lake levels which are very necessary 

to comply with both respective Multiple Habitat Conservation Plans (MHCP) for 

riparian/wetlands as well as the San Diego County Vector Control Program. 

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--

2.) Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance 

The potential environmental and cultural resources impacts associated with the project are 

presented below by reprinting and answering the following list of questions which focus on the 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements. 

a. Will the proposed Project impact the surrounding environment (e.g., soil [dust], air, water 

[quality and quantity], animal habitat)? Please briefly describe all earth-disturbing work 

and any work that will affect the air, water, or animal habitat in the Project area. Please 

also explain the impacts of such work on the surrounding environment and any steps that 

could be taken to minimize the impacts. 

Soil 

The following points are taken from the “Biological Resources Report for the Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project” prepared by Helix 

Environmental Planning, which answer the above question and demonstrate how the site 

location will be sited within an industrial and already disturbed area and minimizes any 

impacts to the surrounding environment. The ambient noise is higher than what will be 

produced from the new MFRO facility, which ensures this project site meets all of the goals 

to be a good neighbor and blend in with the surrounding environment. 

The project site is located in the heart of a developed industrial district within the City (See 

Figure 1 below from the “Biological Resources Report for the Escondido Membrane Filtration 

Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project” prepared by Helix Environmental Planning). The site 

does not occur in or near lands identified for conservation or preserve configuration in the 

region. The only biological resources located near the site that are of local importance include 

the Reidy Creek and Escondido Creek flood control channels. Both reaches are concrete lined, 

but serve as important flood conveyance features for the local area, conveying storm water 

to natural downstream reaches of Escondido Creek that support regionally-important 

biological resources. 

The project site is flat, with an elevation of approximately 656 feet above mean sea level 

(AMSL) to 644 AMSL. The MFRO Facility, including pipeline connections, is mapped as Visalia 

sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (USDA 2017). The Visalia series of soils is characterized by 

moderately well-drained, very deep sandy loams and are formed from granitic alluvial 

deposits (Bowman 1973). The pipeline alignment includes Visalia sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent 

slopes; Placentia sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 19; and Ramona 

sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. The Placentia series is characterized by well-drained, sandy 

loam, clay and heavy sandy clay loam, and gravelly sandy loam horizons that formed in 

alluvium from granite and other rocks of similar composition and texture. The Ramona series 

is characterized by well-drained, very deep sandy loams that have a sandy clay loam subsoil 

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and are formed in granitic alluvium. The surface soils of the project site show sign of 

significant disturbance and alteration from their native state. 

Dust 

To preserve the air quality during construction, dust control measures will be taken such as 

wetting the soil. This will reduce dust from getting into neighboring property as well as 

getting into the flood channel at the southeastern end of the project site.

 Water 

To prevent silt from the construction site getting into the flood channel, a Storm Water 

Prevention Program (SWPP) will be put in place. This will be developed by the contractor and 

will be approved by necessary authorities before it is put into place and construction begins. 

Also, site grading requirements as well as utilizing Low Impact Design (LID) minimizes storm 

water from entering the adjacent Reidy Creek. Project specifications related to the storm 

water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) will require best management practices (BMPs) 

minimizing storm water runoff entering adjacent Reidy Creek. 

State Water Resources Control Board (CWQCB) Mitigations Measure, Mitigations Monitoring 

and Reporting Plan (MMRP) will be implemented as well as construction related CWRCB 

MMRPs and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance measures which will be 

presented and stressed during the construction kick-off meeting. Strict monitoring of related 

activities will be performed throughout the duration of construction. 

Finally, increased use of recycled water from HARRF will minimize the chances of having 

overflow discharges to the Escondido Creek, thus avoiding the limitations imposed by the 

California Regional Water Quality Board Order number R9-2015-0026. The California Regional 

Water Quality Board Order number R9-2015-0026 allows discharges to Escondido Creek, but 

only when all other listed options are unviable. 

Animal Habitat 

The project site is not expected to function as a wildlife corridor in its current condition, 

although birds may use trees on site. The project site is disturbed, surrounded by fencing, and 

within a developed industrial district. Impacts to wildlife movement and nursery sites would 

be less than significant, and no mitigation is required. 

Project construction could result in potential significant impacts on nesting birds protected 

under the federal MBTA and CFG Code; however, the impacts would be reduced to less than 

significant levels with the implementation of proposed mitigation BIO-1, as described in detail 

below. The project would have no impact on any other special-status plant and animal species 

due to the lack of suitable habitat on the site and regular disturbance. 

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Mitigation Measure to be Employed during Construction 

BIO-1 Avoidance of Nesting Birds and Raptors. To prevent direct impacts to nesting 

birds, including raptors, protected under the federal MBTA and CFG Code, the 

City shall enforce the following: 

Project activities requiring the removal and/or trimming of vegetation suitable for 

nesting birds shall occur outside of the general bird breeding season (January 15 

to September 15) to the extent feasible. If the activities cannot avoid the general 

bird breeding season, a qualified biologist shall be retained to conduct a preactivity nesting bird survey within seven days prior to the activities to confirm the 

presence or absence of active bird nests. If no active bird nests are found by the 

qualified biologist, then the activities shall proceed with the reassurance that no 

violation to the MBTA and CFG Code would occur. If an active bird nest is found 

by the qualified biologist, then vegetation removal and/or trimming activities at 

the nest location shall not be allowed to occur until the qualified biologist has 

determined that the nest is no longer active. Avoidance buffers should start at 300 

feet for passerine birds and 500 feet for raptors. However, buffers could be 

reduced at the discretion of the qualified biologist depending on the bird species 

and project activities required in the vicinity of the active nest. 

The project also helps maintain Lake Wohlford and Dixon Lake levels, which are necessary, to 

comply with both respective Multiple Habitat Conservation Plans (MHCP) for 

riparian/wetlands. 

b. Are you aware of any species listed or proposed to be listed as a Federal threatened or 

endangered species, or designated critical habitat in the Project area? If so, would they be 

affected by any activities associated with the proposed Project? 

The Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) (7 United States Code [USC] 136; 16 USC 460 et 

seq. [1973]) extends legal protection to plants and animals, listed as endangered or 

threatened by the USFWS and gives authorization to the USFWS to review proposed federal 

actions to assess potential impacts to species listed as endangered or threatened. The ESA 

generally prohibits the “taking” of a federally listed species and adverse modification of 

designated critical habitat. 

Special status plant species were evaluated for their potential to occur in the study area are 

listed in the “Biological Resources Report for the Escondido Membrane Filtration Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project” prepared by Helix Environmental Planning. The analysis 

showed there are no special status plant species with the potential to occur on site due to 

lack of suitable habitat and regular disturbance. 

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Special status animal species were evaluated for their potential to occur in the study area are 

listed in the “Biological Resources Report for the Escondido Membrane Filtration Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project” prepared by Helix Environmental Planning. The analysis 

showed there are no special status animal species with the potential to occur on site due to 

lack of suitable habitat and regular disturbance. 

As part of the Biological Resources Report, a general biological survey of the project site was 

conducted by Helix Environmental Planning on January 28, 2019. During the biological survey, 

there were no candidate, sensitive, or special status plant or wildlife species observed. 

c. Are there wetlands or other surface waters inside the Project boundaries that potentially 

fall under Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction as “Waters of the United States”? If so, please 

describe and estimate any impacts the proposed Project may have. 

According to the Biological Resources Report, there are no federally protected wetlands on 

the project site, so there would be no impact to any wetlands within the project boundaries. 

Additionally, implementation of the BMPs described for the project would prevent adverse 

impacts to off-site federally protected wetlands, such as within the Reidy Creek flood control 

channel located downstream of the project, and Escondido Creek near the end of the MFRO 

product water pipeline alignment. Therefore, potential impacts on state or federally 

protected wetlands as a result of the proposed project would be less than significant. 

As a standard construction practice and regulatory requirement, the City will implement Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) from the required Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 

(SWPPP) for the project, which may include: 

x Installing and maintaining sediment and erosion control measures; 

x Employing appropriate standard spill prevention practices and clean-up materials; 

x Maintaining the project area free of trash and debris; 

x Maintaining effective control of fugitive dust; and 

x Properly storing, handling, and disposing of toxins and pollutants including waste 

materials. 

d. When was the water delivery system constructed? 

The City’s wastewater treatment plant, the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility(HARRF), 

was constructed in the late 1950s and began operation in 1960. Multiple plant capacity 

expansions were made since then, and the addition of recycled water treatment capacity in 

the mid-1990s brought the plant to its current capacity. The existing recycled water 

distribution system was constructed in the mid-1990s, around the same time that tertiary 

capacity was added to the HARRF. The City has also recently installed a new, but so far 

unused, recycled water pipeline along the Escondido Creek flood control channel to convey 

MFRO treated water. This pipeline was completed in March 2016. The recycled water 

pipeline from the Escondido Creek flood control channel to the Hogback Reservoir is currently 

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in construction. The recycled water distribution pipeline from the Hogback Reservoir to 

agricultural users is in design, with construction anticipated to start in late 2020. 

e. Will the proposed Project result in any modification of or effects to, individual features of 

an irrigation system (e.g., headgates, canals, or flumes)? If so, state when those features 

were constructed and describe the nature and timing of any extensive alterations or 

modifications to those features completed previously. 

The portions of the Reidy Creek and Escondido Creek flood control channels near the project 

site are concrete lined. Neither of these facilities will be permanently impacted by the MFRO 

Project due to the post hydromodification plan and existing drainage facilities near the site. 

However, temporary construction mitigation measures will be employed to ensure there are 

no impacts to any individual features of any irrigation systems. 

Since the area is a developed industrial area the permanent stormwater drainage is handled 

by an existing 54-inch storm drain located along the east side of the site with a curb inlet close 

to the corner of West Washington Avenue and Rock Springs Road. The Reidy Creek concretelined Flood Control Channel is also located south of the project site. In addition, the project 

includes an on-site storm water biofiltration basin to capture, treat, and release the water at 

a controlled rate as dictated by the City’s storm water requirements. The basin directs storm 

water into the existing 54-inch storm drain and then conveys the storm water to the Reidy 

Creek Flood Control Channel, utilizing the existing channel outlet. This treated storm water 

meets all water quality standards. 

f. Are any buildings, structures, or features in the irrigation district listed or eligible for listing 

on the National Register of Historic Places? A cultural resources specialist at your local 

Reclamation office or the State Historic Preservation Office can assist in answering this 

question. 

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) website was consulted and five addresses 

listed on the NRHP are within one mile of the Area of Potential Effect (APE), and include the 

Hotel Charlotta, the Thomas/Turrentine House, the Bandy House, the A.H. Beach House, and 

the Howell/Leighton House. However, all five of these addresses are located over a half-mile 

from the project, so impacts resulting from the project would not occur. 

In addition, there are no officially designated state scenic highways in the vicinity of the 

project site. The nearest state scenic highway is State Route (SR) 52, which is approximately 

18.5 miles south of the project site. The nearest eligible state scenic highway not officially 

designated is I-5, which is approximately 11.5 miles west of the project site. Additionally, the 

project site is not located near a scenic roadway identified in the City’s General Plan (City 

2012). Therefore, the proposed project would not damage scenic resources within a state 

scenic highway. Impacts would not occur. 

g. Are there any known archeological sites in the proposed Project area? 

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The records search conducted by the SCIC indicated that 70 cultural resources have been 

previously recorded within a half-mile of the project APE. The 70 resources consist of 69 

historic buildings and one prehistoric isolate. The prehistoric isolate did not occur within the 

project APE, so there is no record of archaeological resources occurring within the project 

APE. Furthermore, the field investigation of the project site did not result in the identification 

of any cultural material within the project APE. However, a Sacred Lands File search for the 

project APE completed by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) yielded positive 

results. The San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians indicated that sensitive discoveries have 

occurred immediately north of the Escondido Creek channel, and that the project area is 

considered sensitive to the tribe. Additionally, letters regarding the project were sent on 

March 8, 2019 to all contacts listed by the NAHC. One response was received. In a letter dated 

March 22, 2019, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians (Viejas) indicated that the general 

project area has cultural significance or ties to Viejas and requested that a Kumeyaay Cultural 

Monitor be on site for ground disturbing activities to inform them of any new developments 

such as inadvertent discovery of cultural artifacts, cremation sites, or human remains. In 

accordance with the requirements of AB 52, the City sent notification to four Native American 

Tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area on July 31, 2019. In a 

response dated August 12, 2019, the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians (Luise))identified the 

location as being within the Territory of the Luiseño people, and also within Rincon’s specific 

area of historic interest. Furthermore, Rincon identified one Luiseño place name within close 

proximity to the project site. As such, Luiseo requests the completion of an archaeological 

record search and assessment with results being provided to the Rincon Band. Due to the 

cultural sensitivity of the project region, the positive Sacred Land Files results, and the 

responses to the letters sent to the contacts listed by the NAHC, the following mitigation 

measures are recommended to reduce potential impacts to archaeological resources to a less 

than significant level and comply with all requirements of AB 52 for cultural resources. 

Mitigation Measures to be Employed during Construction 

CUL-1 It is recommended that the City should enter into a Tribal Cultural Resource 

Treatment and Monitoring Agreement (also known as a pre-excavation 

agreement) with a tribe that is traditionally and culturally affiliated (TCA) with the 

Project Location (“TCA Tribe”) prior to issuance of a grading permit. The purposes 

of the agreement are (1) to provide the applicant with clear expectations 

regarding tribal cultural resources; and (2) to formalize protocols and procedures 

between the City and the TCA Tribe for the protection and treatment of, including 

but not limited to, Native American human remains; funerary objects; cultural and 

religious landscapes; ceremonial items; traditional gathering areas; and cultural 

items located and/or discovered through a monitoring program in conjunction 

with the construction of the proposed project, including additional archaeological 

surveys and/or studies, excavations, geotechnical investigations, grading, and all 

other ground disturbing activities. 

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CUL-2 Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the City shall retain a qualified archaeologist 

meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for 

archaeology (U.S. Department of the Interior 2008), and a Native American 

monitor associated with a TCA Tribe to implement the monitoring program. 

Because the project is located within shared territory of the Luiseno and 

Kumeyaay people, Native American monitors representing the interest and values 

of both the Luiseno and Kumeyaay people shall be retained for the project. The 

archaeologist shall be responsible for coordinating with the Native American 

monitors. This verification shall be presented to the City in a letter from the 

project archaeologist that confirm that Native American monitors representing 

both Luiseno and Kumeyaay TCA Tribes have been retained. The City, prior to any 

pre-construction meeting, shall approve all persons involved in the monitoring 

program. 

CUL-3 The qualified archaeologist and a Native American monitor(s) shall attend the 

pre-grading meeting with the grading contractors to explain and coordinate the 

requirements of the monitoring program. 

CUL-4 During the initial grubbing, site grading, excavation or disturbance of the ground 

surface, the qualified archaeologist and the Native American monitor shall be on 

site full-time. The frequency of inspections shall depend on the rate of excavation, 

the materials excavated, and any discoveries of tribal cultural resources as defined 

in California Public Resources Code Section 21074. Archaeological and Native 

American monitoring will be discontinued when the depth of grading and soil 

conditions no longer retain the potential to contain cultural deposits. The qualified 

archaeologist, in consultation with the Native American monitor, shall be 

responsible for determining the duration and frequency of monitoring. 

CUL-5 In the event that previously unidentified cultural resources that qualify as 

historical, unique archaeological, and/or tribal cultural resources are discovered, 

the qualified archaeologist and the Native American monitor shall have the 

authority to temporarily divert or temporarily halt ground disturbance operation 

in the area of discovery to allow for the evaluation of potentially significant 

cultural resources. Isolates and clearly non-significant deposits shall be minimally 

documented in the field and collected so the monitored grading can proceed. 

CUL-6 If a potentially significant historical, unique archaeological, and/or tribal cultural 

resource is discovered, the qualified archaeologist shall notify the City of said 

discovery. The qualified archaeologist, in consultation with the City, the TCA Tribe 

and the Native American monitor, shall determine the significance of the 

discovered resource. Recommendations for the resource’s treatment and 

disposition shall be made by the qualified archaeologist in consultation with the 

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TCA Tribe and the Native American monitor and be submitted to the City for 

review and approval. 

CUL-7 The avoidance and/or preservation of significant cultural resources that qualify as 

historical, unique archaeological, and/or tribal cultural resources must first be 

considered and evaluated as required by CEQA. Where any significant resources 

have been discovered and avoidance and/or preservation measures are deemed 

to be infeasible by the City, then a research design and data recovery program to 

mitigate impacts shall be prepared by the qualified archaeologist (using 

professional archaeological methods), in consultation with the TCA Tribe and the 

Native American monitor, and shall be subject to approval by the City. The 

archaeological monitor, in consultation with the Native American monitor, shall 

determine the amount of material to be recovered for an adequate artifact sample 

for analysis. Before construction activities are allowed to resume in the affected 

area, the research design and data recovery program activities must be concluded 

to the satisfaction of the City. 

CUL-8 As specified by California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, if human 

remains are found on the project site during construction or during archaeological 

work, the person responsible for the excavation, or his or her authorized 

representative, shall immediately notify the San Diego County Coroner’s office. 

Determination of whether the remains are human shall be conducted on-site and 

in situ where they were discovered by a forensic anthropologist, unless the 

forensic anthropologist and the Native American monitor agree to remove the 

remains to an off-site location for examination. No further excavation or 

disturbance of the site or any nearby area reasonably suspected to overlie 

adjacent remains shall occur until the Coroner has made the necessary findings as 

to origin and disposition. A temporary construction exclusion zone shall be 

established surrounding the area of the discovery so that the area would be 

protected, and consultation and treatment could occur as prescribed by law. In 

the event that the remains are determined to be of Native American origin, the 

Most Likely Descendant, as identified by the Native American Heritage 

Commission, shall be contacted in order to determine proper treatment and 

disposition of the remains in accordance with California Public Resources Code 

section 5097.98. The Native American remains shall be kept in-situ, or in a secure 

location in close proximity to where they were found, and the analysis of the 

remains shall only occur on-site in the presence of a Native American monitor. 

CUL-9 If the qualified archaeologist elects to collect any archaeological materials that 

qualify as tribal cultural resources, the Native American monitor must be present 

during any testing or cataloging of those resources. Moreover, if the qualified 

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archaeologist does not collect the archaeological materials that qualify as tribal 

cultural resources that are unearthed during the ground disturbing activities, the 

Native American monitor, may at their discretion, collect said resources and 

provide them to the TCA Tribe for respectful and dignified treatment in 

accordance with the Tribe’s cultural and spiritual traditions. The project 

archaeologist shall document evidence that all cultural materials have been 

curated and/or repatriated as follows: 

1) It is the preference of the City that all tribal cultural resources be repatriated 

to the TCA Tribe as such preference would be the most culturally sensitive, 

appropriate, and dignified. Therefore, any tribal cultural resources collected 

by the qualified archaeologist shall be provided to the TCA Tribe. Evidence that 

all cultural materials collected have been repatriated shall be in the form of a 

letter from the TCA Tribe to whom the tribal cultural resources have been 

repatriated identifying that the archaeological materials have been received. 

OR 

2) Any tribal cultural resources collected by the qualified archaeologist shall be 

curated with its associated records at a San Diego curation facility or a 

culturally-affiliated Tribal curation facility that meets federal standards per 36 

CFR Part 79, and, therefore, would be professionally curated and made 

available to other archaeologists/ researchers for further study. The collection 

and associated records, including title, shall be transferred to the San Diego 

curation facility or culturally affiliated Tribal curation facility and shall be 

accompanied by payment of the fees necessary for permanent curation. 

Evidence that all cultural materials collected have been curated shall be in the 

form of a letter form the curation facility stating the prehistoric archaeological 

materials have been received and that all fees have been paid. 

CUL-10 Prior to the release of the grading bond, a monitoring report and/or evaluation 

report, if appropriate, which describes the results, analysis and conclusion of the 

archaeological monitoring program and any data recovery program on the project 

site shall be submitted by the qualified archaeologist to the City. The Native 

American monitor shall be responsible for providing any notes or comments to 

the qualified archaeologist in a timely manner to be submitted with the report. 

The report will include California Department of Parks and Recreation Primary and 

Archaeological Site Forms for any newly discovered resources. 

h. Will the proposed Project have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on low income 

or minority populations? 

While the project site is in a low-income community as seen in the figure below, there will 

not be disproportionately high effects on the residents because the proposed project does 

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not include housing or commercial development that would directly affect the number of 

residents or employees in the area. The only effects made would be minor inconveniences 

to the nearby residents during construction activities. 

The project benefits Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) by reducing stress on the potable 

water treatment and distribution system and postpones associated related rate increases. It 

also increases available capacity in the ELO and SEOO allowing postponement of expenditures 

of tens of millions of dollars for replacement or rehabilitation of the outfall for 10 or more 

years which will benefit City residence and disadvantaged communities. 

Impact to Local Agricultural Community 

One of the key goals of this program is to expedite a new, high-quality water supply to local 

agricultural growers, utilize existing water resources and help promote and support the local 

economy and agriculture. Agricultural producers are a vital part of Escondido’s community 

and its economy. Avocados are one of the most important crops grown in San Diego County, 

and water quality for avocado production is important for quantity and quality of production. 

Growers maintain a high demand for water, specifically low-salinity water. Water must be 

low in chlorides and other constituents to avoid leaf burn, root rot, and the need for excessive 

flushing. Salinity management issues take priority due to the drought in California forcing a 

shift to higher salinity source water. For these reasons, infrastructure to provide more 

recycled water with lower salinity to the growers is necessary to offset agricultural potable 

demand, decrease demand for imported water, and to continue efficient agricultural 

production. An increased local economy benefits all residents of the City including the 

disadvantaged communities. 

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LE: r = 800' 

0 400 800 

C=::J Severely Disadvantaged Community 

i==i Disadvantaged Community 

Figure 1. 

i. Will the proposed Project limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites or result 

in other impacts on tribal lands? 

Letters regarding the project were sent on March 8, 2019 to all contacts listed by the NAHC, and 

two responses were received. These responses indicated that the project area is within the 

ancestral territory of the Luiseño and the Kumeyaay people. Additionally, a Sacred Lands File 

search for the project APE completed by the NAHC yielded positive results, with the San Luis Rey 

Band of Mission Indians indicating that sensitive discoveries have occurred immediately north of 

the Escondido Creek channel. As such, there is potential for unrecognized resources to be 

discovered on the project site during grading and other ground-disturbing activities associated 

with construction of the project. Mitigation measures CUL-1 through CUL-10, listed above, would 

be implemented to ensure that impacts to tribal cultural resources would be less than significant. 

In addition, it is anticipated the State Water Board will initiate consultation with the Office of 

Historic Preservation (OHP) under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 

to make a determination of “no historic properties affected” by the Project. 

j. Will the proposed Project contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of 

noxious weeds or non-native invasive species known to occur in the area? 

The project will not introduce the spread of noxious weeds or invasive species in the area. 

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3.) Required Permits or Approvals 

Applicants must state in the application whether any permits or approvals are required and 

explain the plan for obtaining such permits or approvals. 

Engineering/Recycled Water Use Permits 

Implementation of the proposed agricultural recycled water use program should not result in any 

significant new water quality regulatory permitting requirements. The existing recycled water 

waste discharge requirements (WDRs) already incorporate applicable California Division of 

Drinking Water (DDW) Title 22 treatment and use requirements. Many farmers that will be 

receiving the enhanced recycled water are in a basin that does not currently receive recycled 

water. Therefore, the City will need to amend the existing Recycled Water Permit and meet the 

effluent standards of Order No. R9-2010-0032 to implement the Basin Plan groundwater quality 

objectives for watersheds within the City’s recycled water service area. The Regional Water 

Quality Control Board (RWQCB) will either 1) amend the City’s Order No. R9-2010-0032 to include 

requirements applicable to the proposed agricultural reuse operations or 2) establish new waste 

discharge requirements (WDR)s that govern the City’s upgraded and expanded recycled water 

treatment and reuse operations. Regardless of which approach is implemented, the City’s 

recycled water treatment and use requirements for the proposed NPR/Ag reuse program will 

largely stay the same as the City’s existing recycled water requirements. In summary, though 

modification of the City’s existing WDRs for recycled water use will likely be required to address 

the new facilities, the recycled water effluent limits are not expected to significantly change. 

Filanc Brown & Caldwell Joint Venture is the selected progressive Design Build (DB) team. When 

the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is approved, the DB team will prepare the following 

permits: 

 Title 22 Engineering Report – submitted and approved by the California Regional Water 

Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) before 

recycled water projects are implemented 

 Report of waste discharge (ROWD) for a site-specific order 

 Caltrans encroachment permit 

 City of Escondido grading permit 

 Compliance with the Construction General Permit (CGP) for construction BMPs and post 

construction BMPs 

Land Use Permits 

The DB team has prepared a City of Escondido plot plan application needed for the development 

of the MFRO Facility. The plot plan application is currently in review by City staff. 

CEQA/NEPA Compliance 

Assembly Bill AB-52, CEQA consultation requirements with California Native American Tribes 

have occurred with measures in-place for construction. State Water Resources Control Board 

(CWQCB) Mitigations Measure, Mitigations Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) will also be 

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implemented. The project achieves California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) goals and 

requirements, through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Construction related 

CWRCB MMRPs and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance measures will be 

presented and stressed during the construction kick-off meeting. Strict monitoring of related 

activities will be performed throughout the duration of construction. San Diego County Vector 

Control Program and both respective Multiple Habitat Conservation Plans (MHCP) for 

riparian/wetlands will be fulfilled by the project maintaining water levels of Lake Wohlford and 

Lake Dixon. The project also assists with Senate Bill (SB) 88 compliance in tracking water use. 

Tracking of water used by agricultural users will be centralized with flow measuring equipment 

being part of the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system providing accurate 

recording, a means of comparing flows associated with totals of individual user meters. Finally, 

the MFRO facility utilizing Low Impact Design (LID) avoids any storm water from entering the 

adjacent Reidy Creek. Project specifications related to the storm water pollution prevention plan 

(SWPPP) will require best management practices (BMPs) prohibiting storm water runoff entering 

adjacent Reidy Creek. Permanent storm water runoff will also be prohibited from entering the 

creek. 

The tentative schedule for public review, adoption and approval of the IS/MND and MMRP is as 

follows: 

 Send to State Clearing House (SCH) March 2020 

 End of 30 day SCH public review period April 2020 

 Certify the IS/MND and adopt the MMRP May 2020 

The City has renewed the NPDES permit to include the MFRO Facility and the brine discharge, 

which was adopted by the Regional Board in April 2018. 

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4.) Project Budget 

Funding Plan 

• How you will make your contribution to the cost share requirement, such as monetary 

and/or in-kind contributions and source funds contributed by the applicant (e.g., reserve 

account, tax revenue, and/or assessments). 

The City of Escondido will fund the non-Reclamation share of the proposed project through 

City resources and two additional funding sources. The project has transitioned to a 

progressive Design Build process in order to obtain a best value project without 

compromising schedule. The Design Build process will incorporate constructability reviews 

and value engineering ideas throughout the design phase. The allocation of construction 

costs remains the same as outlined in the executed BOR Title XVI Agreement R19AC00023, 

with a total project cost of $44,700,000. 

The City’s two additional funding sources are a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan (with loan 

forgiveness) and a San Diego Integrated Water Resources Management (IRWM) grant. The 

City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-04 on January 16, 2019, authorizing the Director of 

Utilities to execute an Installment Sale Agreement (Agreement) in the amount of $29 million 

from the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Financial Assistance/Proposition 1 

Funding. However, the City Council directed staff to find a new site for the MFRO Facility at 

the same Council meeting. A new site has been determined and the SRF application is being 

updated to reflect the current site. Once approved, the loan issued from the State Revolving 

Fund (SRF) will be used for construction costs of the Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis 

(MFRO) Facility Project along with $2,000,000 received from IRWM Prop 84 Funds. 

A breakdown of the total project costs are as follows: 

Table 4-1 – Executive Summary - Total Breakdown of all Costs for the Project 

/ CONSTRUCTION - Explain any contracts or sub-Agreements that will be awarded, why needed. 

Ex 

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The City is providing a match of $2,525,000 from customer fees from the Wastewater Capital 

Improvement Program reserves. 

• Describe any in-kind costs incurred before the anticipated study start date that you seek to 

include as study costs. 

Although prior in-kind costs have been incurred, the City does not intend to seek funding for 

them. 

• Provide the identity and amount of funding to be provided by funding partners, as well as 

the required letters of commitment. 

The City has no funding partners. 

• Describe any funding requested or received from other Federal partners. Note: Other 

sources of Federal funding may not be counted towards the applicant’s 50 percent cost 

share unless otherwise allowed by statute. 

The City has not requested nor received other Federal funds. 

• Describe any pending funding requests that have not yet been approved and explain how 

the project will be affected if such funding is denied. 

The City has no pending funding requests for the planning effort. 

Letters of Commitment 

Not applicable. The City is not requesting funding from any potential partners to implement the 

proposed project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $44,700,000. The City will provide 

a 75% share of $33,525,000, and is requesting Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) funding of 

$6,291,000 for FY2020. With BOR’s previous funding of $4,884,000, Federal funding would total 

$11,175,000, or 25% of the Project’s total cost as noted in Table 4-2: 

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Table 4-2 – Total Cost of the Project 

Funding Sources % of Total Cost Total Cost by Source 

Non-Federal: Recipient Funding 75% $33,525,000 

Federal: Reclamation Funding (both 

Current Funding and Requested 

FY20 FOA Funding) 

25% $11,175,000 

Total 100% $44,700,000 

A further breakdown of these costs is noted in Table 4-3. 

Table 4-3 – Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources 

Funding Source Amount 

Non-Federal Entities 

1. California State Water Board - State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan $29,000,000 

2. IRWM Prop 84 $2,000,000 

3. City Funds $2,525,000 

Non-Federal Subtotal $33,525,000 

Federal Entities from Prior Funding (per Agreement 

R19AC00023) $4,884,000 

Other Federal Subtotal $0 

REQUESTED RECLAMATION FUNDING $6,291,000 

Budget Proposal 

Table 4-4 provides a summary of the budget proposal, breaking down the design, construction, 

environmental, geotechnical, and contingency costs of approximately 10% of the total 

construction costs. 

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• 

UDGET ITDI DESCRIPTIO~ 

CONTRACTUAL/ CONSTRUCTION - Explain any conh·acts or sub-Agreements that will be awarded, why needed . 

Ex 

 

 

 

Table 4.4 – Proposed Budget for the MFRO Facility 

Budget Narative 

Construction – The City has hired a qualified Design Build (DB) Contactor through a progressive 

Design Build procurement contract. This DB is divided into two phases: 

x Phase 1 – Initial Preconstruction Phase, which includes engineering, design, and preconstruction services 

x Phase 2 – Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction and engineering support 

services during construction 

Phase 1 services is an existing contract with Filanc Brown and Caldwell Joint Venture with a value 

of $2,716,068. 

Phase 2 services are estimated to be a total of $35,992,889 for construction, and $2,303,000 for 

engineering services during construction, for a total of $38,295,889. 

Environmental – Costs to prepare environmental compliance documents are estimated at 

$68,230. This includes the cost to prepare the IS/MND and MMRP per CEQA and CEQA plus 

requirements. 

Geotechnical – Costs to ensure proper geotechnical analysis and design criteria for construction 

is $49,881. 

Contingency – Funds set aside for potential issues during construction, which could include items 

such as unforeseen conditions, and increases in materials or construction costs, are 9.9% of the 

total for an amount of $3,570,000. 

Total Costs – Total project cost is anticipated to be approximately $44,700,000 as shown in Table 

4-1 and Table 4-4. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 67 of 69 
 

 

5.) Letters of Project Support 

Letters of Project Support for FY 2020 funding are included at the end of this application and 

are listed in order as follows: 

Table 5-1 

MRFO Facility Supporter 

1. Burr Ranch 

2. California Water Efficiency Partnership 

3. Escondido Chamber of Commerce 

4. Escondido Growers for Agricultural Preservation (EGAP) 

5. Henry Avocado Corporation 

6. Leucadia Wastewater District 

7. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 

8. Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District 

9. San Diego County Farm Bureau 

10. San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management 

11. San Diego North Economic Development Council 

12. San Elijo Joint Powers Authority 

13. Vallecitos Water District 

14. Vista Irrigation District 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 68 of 69 
 

6.) Official Resolution 

The Official Resolution was brought before the Escondido City Council on February 5, 2020 and 

is enclosed with this application. 

City of Escondido 

Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project 

No. BOR-DO-20-F008 69 of 69 
DocuSign Envelope ID: 407E8C6E-97BA-47AC-9AE2-96F794D22BC6 

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-13 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF 

THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA, 

VERIFYING THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO’S 

FINANCIAL CAPABILITY AND COMMITMENT 

TO MEET ESTABLISHED DEADLINES 

SHOULD IT BE OFFERED A FINANCIAL 

AWARD AND ENTER INTO A MODIFIED 

ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT UNDER THE 

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S 

WATERSMART: TITLE XVI PROGRAM 

WHEREAS, the City of Escondido (“City”) submitted an application to the Bureau 

of Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects 

funding program in July 2018 for construction of the proposed Membrane Filtration 

Reverse Osmosis (“MFRO”) Facility; and 

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation awarded an assistance agreement to the 

City in August 2019 with an initial amount of $4,884,000 and a total estimated amount 

of $11,175.000; and 

WHEREAS, the City intends to submit an application to the Bureau of 

Reclamation to receive the balance of the total WaterSMART: Title XVI award for 

construction of the proposed MFRO Facility; and 

WHEREAS, the application identifies Christopher W. McKinney, Director of 

Utilities, as the City’s authorized representative with legal authority to enter into a 

modified agreement; and 

WHEREAS, the City’s Wastewater Enterprise Fund is capable of providing the 

amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan for the 

MFRO Project; and 
 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 407E8C6E-97BA-47AC-9AE2-96F794D22BC6 

WHEREAS, the City and its authorized representative will work with the Bureau 

of Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into an assistance 

agreement. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of 

Escondido, California, as follows: 

1. That the above recitations are true. 

2. That the Mayor and City Council have reviewed and support the City of 

Escondido’s submitted application for additional financial assistance from the Bureau of 

Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects funding 

program. 
 

 

 

In DocuSigned by: 

~ ~E~:Af'lt 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 407E8C6E-97BA-47AC-9AE2-96F794D22BC6 

PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Escondido at a regular 

meeting thereof this 5th day of February, 2020 by the following vote to wit: 

AYES : Councilmembers: DIAZ, MARTINEZ, MASSON, MORASCO, MCNAMARA 

NOES : Councilmembers: NONE 

ABSENT : Councilmembers: NONE 

APPROVED: 

PAUL MCNAMARA, Mayor of the 

City of Escondido, California 

ATTEST: 

ZACK BECK, City Clerk of the 

City of Escondido, California 

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-13 
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720 N. Broadway EscondidoChamber.org 

Escondido CA 92025 info@escondidochamber.org 

t (760) 745-21 25 • f (760) 745-11 83 

2019-2020 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Executive Committee: 

M att Pound 

Chairman of the Board 

Escondido M aterials 

Kristen Steinke 

Immediate Past Chair 

Lounsbery Ferguson Altona & 

Peak, lLP 

Don Romo 

Chair Elect 

Erickson·HalJ Construction Co. 

Christine Antoine, MPA 

Government Affairs Chair 

San Diego County W aterAuthority 

Jayde Olin 

Finance Chair 

Bonner Bank 

Dr. Luis Rankins•lbarra 

Education Chair 

Superintendent EUSD 

Tom Stamos 

Economic Development Chair 

Escondido Realty 

Yessenia Mendoza 

Marketing Chair 

£&1 Metal Supply 

Board Directors: 

Or. Derry Connolly 

JP Catholic University 

Ernie Cow an 

North San Diego County 

Association ofRealtors 

Joe Coyle 

Printer RepairDepot 

Constance J. larsen 

Attorney at Law 

Mayra Salazar·Magos 

Restoration Arts Escondido 

Jhona M~ormick 

Arthur MurroyEscondido 

Shaw n Roner 

Escondido CharterHigh School 

Dan Meyer 

Escondido Disposal, Inc. 

Br ian M urphy 

Murphy's Fine Woodworking 

Mona Durney • Rising Stars Chair 

Rancho ComputerNetworks 

Kevin S. Svetich, CLU 

Insurance & Investments 

Jerry Van Leeuwen 

California Centerfor the Arts, 

Escondido 

Tina Pope 

Neighborhood Healthcare 

Christopher laccio 

CEMEX 

Adrian Zavala 

Neighborhood Healthcare 

Jim Vander Spek 

VanderSpek& HowerzylCPAs 

February 11, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

SUBJECT: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/ Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis Facility Project. We understand that the City of Escondido has made substantial 

progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on their Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it 

even closer to achieving the goal of this project - to provide advanced treatment for a 

portion on the effluent Title 22 recycled water from the HARRF and distribute a new 

high-quality water supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am pleased to see the City 

of Escondido make progress on this important project, and I look forward to your 

continued success. 

The Escondido Chamber of Commerce and the City of Escondido share a common vision of 

advancing towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy 

ecosystems, and economically strong communities. I offer my cont inued support to the 

City of Escondido and encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the 

City of Escondido's MFRO Facility through the Water SMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 

Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 

James Rowten 

President/CEO 

Escondido Chamber of Commerce 
Escondido Growers for Agricultural Preservation 

2601 Mountain View Drive 

Escondido, CA 92027 

Karen@growescondido.org 

Phone (760) 432-8425 I Fax (760) 432-8485 < 

~~ EGAP 

February 3, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities / Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

Facility Project. The continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it even closer to achieving the 

goal of this project, which is to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 22 

recycled water from the HARRF and distribute a new, high-quality water supply to agricultural growers 

in the region. 

Even though the family farm is a vital aspect of American Industry and significant contributor to the 

economy, without the level of commitment from our cities and counties with regard to water 

sustainability, the hope of continuing the legacy of farming in Southern California will be gone. The 

risks associated with Agri-Business require a high level of financial obligation by all stakeholders. 

This uncertainty will be moderated through the Water Reuse Program the City of Escondido is 

providing. This is a program approved and appreciated by all parties. Supporting sustainable 

agriculture helps build communities where people want to work and live. 

The social responsibility to mitigate the loss of local family farms by way of succession planning can 

only be accomplished through maintaining a thriving farm/business operation that offers a viable 

vehicle for the owner's success. Families throughout North County continue to dream of the day the 

farm will pass to the next generation. 

The Escondido Growers for Agricultural Preservation (EGAP) and the City of Escondido share a 

common vision of advancing towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, 

healthy ecosystems, and economically strong communities. I offer my continued support to the City of 

Escondido and encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City of Escondido's 

MFRO Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 
February 3, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities / Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis Facility Project. We understand that the City of Escondido has made substantial 

progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on their Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it 

even closer to achieving the goal of this project - to provide advanced treatment for a portion of 

the effluent Title 22 recycled water from the HARRF and distribute a new, high-quality water 

supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am pleased to see the City of Escondido make 

progress on this important project and look forward to your continued success. 

The Henry Avocado Corporation and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing 

towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy ecosystems, and 

economically strong communities. I offer my continued support to the City of Escondido and 

encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City of Escondido's MFRO 

Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 

/&,.t 

Rick Opel 

Henry Avocado orporation 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEUCADIA Allan Juliussen. President LEADERS IN 

Donald F. Omsted, Vice President '!'\~Tl , r r ENVIRONMENTAL Judy Hanson. Director 

David Kulchin, Director PROTECTION -.....=DISTRICT Elaine Sullivan, Director I 

PaulJ. Bushee.General Manager 

Ref: 20-7060 

February 5, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities / Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S. Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for· the City- of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

Facility Project. We understand that the City of Escondido has made substantial progress and is 

moving forward with a design-build process on their Membrane -Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

Facility. The continued progress by the City.of Escondido puts it even closer-to achieving the goal 

of this project - to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 22 recycled water 

from the HARRF and distribute a new,· high-quality water· supply· to agricultural growers in the 

region. I am pleased to see the City of Escondido make progress on this important project and 

look forward to your continued success. 

The Leucadia Wastewater District and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing 

towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water -resources, healthy ecosystems, and 

economically strong communities. I ·offer my continued support to the City of Escondido and 

encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase fundin·g for· the City of Escondido's MFRO 

Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. ·

!?ly, ~ 

p~l./ 

General Manager 

1960 LA COSTA AVENUE, CARLSBAD, CA 92009 • PHONE 760.753.0155 • FAX 760.753.3094 •LWWD.ORG • INFO@LWWD.ORG 
THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT 

OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 

Office of the General Manager 

February 10, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities 

Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S. Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility 

The purpose of this letter is to express The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's 

(Metropolitan) support for local supply projects, such as the City of Escondido's (Escondido) 

Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility Project (MFRO). 

In partnership with local water agencies, Metropolitan is a statewide leader in implementing water 

conservation programs and progressive water resources such as wastewater recycling and 

groundwater recovery. Metropolitan has invested more than $1.4 billion in these local resources, 

and our local water agency partners, such as Escondido, have invested many billions more. 

The severity of California's recent drought, coupled with the extended dry period on the Colorado 

River and the projected long-term impacts of climate change underscore the need for continued 

diversification of Southern California's water resource portfolio. Metropolitan's Integrated Water 

Resources Plan (IRP) achieves diversification with an "all of the above" approach. This includes 

stabilizing Metropolitan' s imported supplies while developing new local supplies to accommodate 

projected future growth. A 2015 update to the IRP established a local supply production goal of 

2.4 million acre-feet by 2040. By comparison, local production has varied from 1.8 to 

2.0 million acre-feet over the past few years. Escondido's MRFO facility could help the region meet 

the reliability goals set forth in the IRP. 

Metropolitan supported Title XVI funding for the MRFO faciltiy in 2018 (Attachment 1) and 

supports increased funding of the project, which would provide sustainable high-quality irrigation 

water for local agriculture. 

700 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, Cal~omia 90012 • Mailing Address: Box 54153, Los Angeles, Cal~omia 90054-0153 • Telephone (213) 217-6000 
THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 

Ms. Angela Morrow 

Page2 

February 10, 2020 

Please contact Warren Teitz at (213) 217-7418 or via e-mail at wteitz@mwdh2o.com if you have any 

questions. 

Sincerely, 

~ey~ 

Manager, Water Resource Management 

Attachments ( 1) 

WAT:rh 

cc: Sandra L. Kerl 

General Manager 

San Diego County Water Authority 

4677 Overland A venue 

San Diego, CA 92123 
THE METRCJIIOIDAN WAHR DISTRICT 

OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 

Office ofthe General Manager 

July 19, 2018 

Ms. Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

Re: Sup_port for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility 

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) would like to express support 

for the City of Escondido's proposed Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The project 

will provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent from the Hale Avenue Resource 

Recovery Facility and distribute a new, high-quality water supply to agricultural growers in the 

region. 

The severity of the State's recent drought, the extended dry period on the Colorado River, and the 

projected long-term impacts of climate change underscore the need for continued diversification of 

Southern California's water resource portfolio. Metropolitan' s long-term Integrated Water 

Resources Plan (IRP) achieves diversification with an "all of the above" approach. This includes 

maintaining Colorado River Aqueduct supplies and restoring the reliability of the State Water 

Project, while also developing local climate-resilient resources such as indirect potable reuse. 

Metropolitan' s IRP established a regional production goal of 2.4 million acre-feet per year from local 

supplies by 2040. Over the same time horizon, local planning agencies project Metropolitan's 

service area to grow by more than three million people. New local projects, such as the City of 

Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis facility, help increase local supplies and reduce 

Southern California's reliance on imported water supplies to meet expected future demands. 

Therefore, Metropolitan recommends support from the Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI Water 

Reclamation and Reuse Projects Funding Opportunity Program for the Escondido Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. 

Sincerely, 

Brad 

~~ Coffey 

Manager, Water Resource Management Group 

cc: Maureen Stapleton, San Diego County Water Authority 

700 N. Alameda Street. Los Angeles. Carlfomla 90012 • MalHng Address: Box 54153, Los Angeles, California 90054-0153 • Telephone (213) 217-6000 
General Manager Board ofDirectors Rl•ncon Clint Baze 

James B. Murtland, President Oiablo 

Clerk ofthe Board Erin R. Lump, Vice President Wanda Cassidy David A. Drake, Treasurer 

Dr. Gregory M. Quist, Director General Counsel 

Diana A Public Agency Serving the L. Towne, Director Redwine and Sherrill 

Greater Escondido Valley Since 1954 

February 6, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

(MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District (Rincon Water) supports projects such as the 

City of Escondido's (City) Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility Project. It is 

our understanding that the City has made substantial progress and is moving forward 

with the project using the design-build process. This puts the City of Escondido even 

closer to achieving its goal - to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent 

Title 22 recycled water from the HARRF in order to distribute, high-quality water supply 

to agricultural growers. 

Rincon Water and the City of Escondido share a common objective: increasing waterefficiency in California by developing sustainable water resources, improving 

ecosystems health, and fostering strong communities. 

l offer my support for the City of Escondido's MFRO Facility and encourage the Bureau 

of Reclamation to increase funding for this project through the WaterSMART Title XVI 

Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects Funding Opportunity 

Program. 

Sincerely, 

,L// , ('L.IZ 

~Uo/C._ Clint Baze v'

General Manager 

1920 North Iris Lane, Escondido, CA 92026 www.rinconwater.org . 760-745-5522 phone• 760-745-4235 fax 

del

Water 
 

 

FARM BUREAU San Diego County 

The Voice of Local Farmers 

Serving San Diego agriculture since 1914 

A 420 S. Broadway - Ste 200, Escondido, CA 92025 \. 760.745.3023 c;J www.sdfarmbureau.org II sdcfb@sdfarmbureau.org 

February 3, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido’s Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility Project. We 

understand that the City of Escondido has made substantial progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on 

their Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it even closer 

to achieving the goal of this project - to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 22 recycled water 

from the HARRF and distribute a new, high-quality water supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am pleased to see 

the City of Escondido make progress on this important project and look forward to your continued success. 

The San Diego County Farm Bureau and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing towards a waterefficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy ecosystems, and economically strong communities. I offer 

my support to the City of Escondido and encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City of 

Escondido’s MFRO Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 

Hannah Gbeh 

Executive Director 

San Diego County Farm Bureau 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ SAN DIEGO 

Integrated Regional Water Management 

February 11, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities / Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

(MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

The San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program was an early supporter 

of the City of Escondido’s Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility Project, having provided 

the project with a $2 million implementation grant in 2016. I understand that the City has made 

substantial progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on its Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. This continued progress by the City puts it even closer to 

achieving the goal of this project -- to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 

22 recycled water from the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility and distribute a new, highquality water supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am pleased to see the City of 

Escondido make progress on this important project and look forward to your continued success. 

The San Diego IRWM Program and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing 

towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy ecosystems and 

economically strong communities. The IRWM Program offers its continued support to the City of 

Escondido and encourages the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City’s MFRO 

Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Please contact me at mstadler@sdcwa.org or 858-522-6735 if you have any questions about 

this letter. 

Sincerely, 

Mark Stadler 

San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management Program Manager 

Principal Water Resources Specialist 

San Diego County Water Authority 
SAN DIEGO NORTH 

Economic Development Council 

February 6, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

The San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC) was an early supporters of 

the City of Escondido's Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility Project and we are 

writing to express our strong support for the project. The City of Escondido has made 

substantial progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on their Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it 

even closer to achieving the goal of this project - to provide advanced treatment for a portion of 

the effluent Title 22 recycled water from the HARRF and distribute a new, hi"Qh-quality water 

supply to agricultural growers in the region . The council is pleased to see the City of Escondido 

make progress on this important project and look forward to continued success. 

The SDNEDC and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing towards a waterefficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy ecosystems, and economically 

strong communities. SDNEDC offers our continued support to the City of Escondido and 

encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City of Escondido's MFRO 

Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse 

Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

W Erik Bruvold 

Chief Executive Officer 

San Diego North Economic Development Council 

100 East San Marcos Blvd ., Suite 400 I San Marcos, CA 92069 I 760-510-5919 I www.sdnedc.org 
 

 

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Jody Hubbard 

Kristi Becker 

Catherine Blakespear 

David Zito 

ADMINISTRATION 

Michael T. Thornton 

General Manager 

February 3, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We have been early supporters of the City of Escondido’s Membrane Filtration/Reverse 

Osmosis Facility Project. We understand that the City of Escondido has made 

substantial progress and is moving forward with a design-build process on their 

Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The continued progress by the City of 

Escondido puts it even closer to achieving the goal of this project - to provide advanced 

treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 22 recycled water from the HARRF and 

distribute a new, high-quality water supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am 

pleased to see the City of Escondido make progress on this important project and look 

forward to your continued success. 

The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority and the City of Escondido share a common vision 

of advancing towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, 

healthy ecosystems, and economically strong communities. I offer my continued support 

to the City of Escondido and encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding 

for the City of Escondido’s MFRO Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal 

Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Thornton, P.E. 

General Manager 

San Elijo Joint Powers Authority 

2695 Manchester Avenue Ã P.O. Box 1077 Ã Cardiff by the Sea Ã CA 92007-7077 Ã (760) 753-6203 Ã (760) 753-5935 FAX 
- ~~VALLECITOS Yl'lwATER DISTRICT 

lf/(1/er (IJII/ WastewaterSpeci"lists since 1955 

20 1 Vallecitos de Oro• San M arcos, Califor nia • 92069- 1453 Te l ephon e (760) 744- 0460 

February 3, 2020 

Angela Morrow, P.E. 

Deputy Director of Utilities/Construction and Engineering 

City of Escondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

(MFRO) Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

We understand that the City of Escondido has made substantial progress toward and is moving 

forward with a design-build process on their Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis Facility. The 

continued progress by the City of Escondido puts it even closer to achieving the goal of this project 

- to provide advanced treatment for a portion of the effluent Title 22 recycled water from the 

HARRF and distribute a new, high-quality water supply to agricultural growers in the region. I am 

pleased to see the City of Escondido make progress on this important project and look forward to 

your continued success. 

The Vallecitos Water District and the City of Escondido share a common vision of advancing 

towards a water-efficient California with sustainable water resources, healthy ecosystems, and 

economically strong communities. I offer my support to the City of Escondido and encourage 

the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for the City of Escondido's MFRO Facility through 

the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects Funding 

Opportunity Program. 

Glenn Pruim 

General Manager 

Vallecitos Water District 

FAX numbers by Department: Administration (760) 744-2738; Engineering (760) 744-3507; Finance (760) 744-5989; 

Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility (760) 744-2435; Operations/Maintenance (760) 744-5246 

e-mail: vwd@vwd.org http://www.vwd.org 
Board of Directors 

VISTA Richard L. Vasquez, President

Paul E. Dorey IRRIGATION 

DISTRICT Jo MacKenzie

Marty Miller 

1391 Engineer Street· Vista, California 92081-8840 Patrick H. Sanchez 

Phone (760) 597-3100 • Fax: (760) 598-8757 

www.vidwater.org Administrative Staff 

Brett L. Hodgkiss 

February 10, 2020 General Manager 

Lisa R. Soto 

Board Secretary 

David 8. Cosgrove Angela Morrow, PE General Counsel 

Deputy Director ofUtilities/Construction and Engineering 

City ofEscondido 

1521 S Hale Avenue 

Escondido, CA 92029 

Subject: Continued Support for the City of Escondido Membrane Filtration/Reverse Osmosis 

Facility 

Dear Ms. Morrow: 

The Vista Irrigation District has been an early supporter of the City of Escondido's (City's) Membrane 

Filtration/Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Facility Project. Once constructed, this important facility will 

provide advanced treatment for a portion of the Title 22 recycled water effluent from the City's 

wastewater treatment plant, the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility, and distribute a new, highquality wat~r supply to agricultural growers in the region. The MFRO Facility will provide many local, 

regional, and statewide benefits. It will secure a new, local, sustainable source of water for our region, 

decreasing both the demand for imported water and the volume of wastewater discharged to the ocean. 

The project will also reduce the salinity of the recycled water and assist in meeting the water quality 

objectives ofthe San Diego Region Salinity/Nutrient Management Plan. 

We understand that the City has made substantial progress on the MFRO Facility Project and is moving 

forward with a design-build process for construction. I am pleased to see that the City has made 

substantial progress on this important project and look forward to your continued success. As such, I 

offer my continued support to the City and encourage the Bureau of Reclamation to increase funding for 

the City's MFRO Facility through the WaterSMART Title XVI Fiscal Year 2020 Water Reclamation 

and Reuse Projects Funding Opportunity Program. 

Sincerely, 

Randy Whitmann, PE 

Director of Engineering 

cc: Brett Hodgkiss, General Manager; Don Smith, PE, Director ofWater Resources 

A public agency serving the city ofVista andportions ofSan Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego County