Valley Sanitary District 

Recycled Water Treatment Project 

Technical Proposal 

Prepared For: Submitted By: 

Bureau of Reclamation Valley Sanitary District 

Financial Assistance Support Section 45500 Van Buren Street 

Attn: NOFO Team Indio, CA 92201 

P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27133 Beverli Marshall, General Manager 

Denver, CO 80225 bmarshall@valley-sanitary.org 

SHA-DRO-FAFOA@usbr.gov 760-238-5400 

303-445-2906 

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION 

WATERSMART: WATER RECYCLING AND DESALINATION 

PLANNING 

February 28, 2023 
 

 

Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

Table of Contents 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................ 1 

PROJECT LOCATION ................................................................................................................................ 1 

TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 2 

Evaluation Criterion 1: Project Planning and Analysis (15 points) ....................................................... 4 

Subcriterion No.1a- Water Recycling Needs and Opportunities...................................................... 4 

Subcriterion No.1b- Evaluation of Project Alternatives (15 points) ................................................. 6 

Evaluation Criterion 2- Stretching Water Supplies (20 points) ............................................................ 8 

Evaluation Criterion- Environment and Water Quality (20 points).................................................... 10 

Evaluation Criterion 4- Department of the Interior Priorities (15 points).......................................... 12 

Evaluation Criterion 5- Watershed Perspective and Stakeholder Involvement (15 points) ............... 16 

PROJECT BUDGET .................................................................................................................................. 18 

Funding Plan...................................................................................................................................... 18 

Budget Proposal................................................................................................................................. 18 

Budget Narrative................................................................................................................................ 19 

Letters of Funding Commitment......................................................................................................... 19 

REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS....................................................................................................... 19 

OFFICAL RESOLUTION ............................................................................................................................ 19 

OVERLAP OR DUPLICATION OF EFFORT STATEMENT .............................................................................. 19 

UNIFORM AUDIT REPORTING STATEMENT ............................................................................................. 19 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT .................................................................................. 19 

Figure 1. Project Location Map ...............................................................................................................2 

Figure 2. Existing VSD Water Reclamation Facility ..................................................................................3 

Figure 3. Wastewater Treatment Flow Chart ..........................................................................................6 

Figure 4. Disadvantaged Communities Map ......................................................................................... 14 

Table 1. Project Schedule........................................................................................................................8 

Table 2. Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources .......................................................... 18 

Table 3. Total Project Cost .................................................................................................................... 19 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Date: 2/28/2023 Applicant Name: Valley Sanitation District 

City: Indio Project Length of Time: 24 Months 

County: Riverside Estimated Completion Date: October 2025 

State: California Located on a Federal Facility: No 

The Indio Water Authority (IWA) supplies potable water to 79,000 people within its 38 squaremile service area. IWA exclusively relies on groundwater from the Coachella Valley 

Groundwater Basin (CVGB), which has historically been in a state of overdraft and is designated 

as a High Priority Basin in California. Precipitation in this arid region of Southern California 

averages only 3.1 inches annually, so supplies for natural groundwater recharge are extremely 

limited. Therefore, IWA and other water agencies in the region mostly rely on the Colorado 

River to recharge the basin. However, the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control 

Board has determined that continued use of Colorado River water to recharge the groundwater 

is “unsustainable for the long-term”. In addition, the persistent onslaught of droughts in 

California brought on by climate change has strained the supplies of the Colorado River to a 

point where the largest reservoirs in the country are at historically low levels. Therefore, the 

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has asked the seven states using water from the river to submit 

plans for reduction in use. The Recycled Water Treatment Project proposes to expand and 

upgrade Valley Sanitation District’s (VSD, the District) existing Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) 

to accommodate Title 22 tertiary treatment, which will result in non-potable reuse (irrigation) 

and potable reuse via recharge of the CVGB with recycled water. This funding request will 

further the planning effort for the Project by completing the following tasks: 

1. Site specific investigations to gather design data. 

2. Development and evaluation of Project alternatives. 

3. Preparation of preliminary Project cost estimates. 

4. Preparation of an engineering report to guide the final design of the Project. 

5. Collection of data and gathering of documentation for environmental and cultural resources 

compliance. 

6. Preparing all required technical studies for environmental documentation. 

7. Preparing final environmental documents for CEQA and NEPA compliance. 

PROJECT LOCATION 

The Project is within VSD’s WRF, which is located at 45500 Van Buren Street, Indio CA 92201.

The City of Indio is located approximately 25 miles southeast of the City of Palm Springs in the 

Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. Please see the location map in Figure 1 below. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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Figure 1. Project Location Map 

TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

VSD owns and operates the WRF, which provides wastewater treatment and collection services 

and receives its water supplies directly from users within its service territory. Please see Figure 

2 showing the WRF, which is also the Project site. The majority of VSD’s users receive their

water supplies from IWA, who obtains its water supply solely from groundwater. The East 

Valley Reclamation Authority (EVRA) was created in 2013 under a joint power agreement 

between the City of Indio through IWA and VSD to plan, implement and operate a recycled 

water program. In its 2015 Water Reclamation Facility Master Plan, VSD developed a 

preliminary study on recycled water expansion opportunities that identified a three-phase 

approach as described below. 

As detailed in the 2015 Water Reclamation Facility Master Plan (WRFMP), the Project is 

separated into three phases which are detailed as Phase 2B, Phase 2C, and Phase 3. For 

simplicity, Phases 2B, 2C and Phase 3 are referred to as Phase 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 

Phase 1 (formerly Phase 2B) is currently being implemented by VSD and is not part of this 

funding request. This involves various upgrades to the WRF to allow for Phase 2 and 3 to 

commence. 

Phase 2 (formerly Phase 2C) involves the following components: 

- Decommission Pond 2 

- Build sludge drying bed extension. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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- Install digester gas Figure 2. Existing VSD Water Reclamation Facility

holding facility. 

- Implement cogeneration 

with digester gas. 

Design for Phase 3 will 

commence once Phase 2 is 

nearing completion. The 

following objectives will be 

achieved once construction of 

Phase 3 is completed: 

- Expand water treatment 

capacity increase to 10.0 

MGD. 

- Install two additional 

aeration basins. 

- Install additional belt 

press. 

- Implement tertiary 

treatment (Title 22) to 

produce 10.0 MGD of Title 

22 water for landscaping 

and irrigation. 

- Install of additional 

filtration, disinfection, 

equalization, storage, and 

pumping capacity 

- Install one 1 MGD equalization basin downstream of secondary clarifiers to serve as a wet 

well for the filter influent transfer pumps to the cloth media filters. 

- Three 16-disks units and chlorine contact tank 

- 12 MGD reservoir and Title 22 pump station 

2Phase 2 and 3, which is the Project in this funding request will build upon Phase 1(currently in 

Process) to expand and upgrade the WRF to accommodate Title 22 tertiary treatment, which 

will result in non-potable reuse (irrigation) and potable reuse via recharge of the CVGB with 

recycled water. 

VSD is seeking funding under Funding Group I to complete the following tasks: 

1. Site specific investigations to gather design data. 

2. Development and evaluation of Project alternatives. 

3. Preparation of preliminary Project cost estimates. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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4. Preparation of an engineering report to guide the final design of the Project. 

5. Collection of data and gathering of documentation for environmental and cultural 

resources compliance. 

6. Preparing all required technical studies for environmental documentation. 

7. Preparing final environmental documents for CEQA and NEPA compliance. 

VSD is an eligible applicant as it is a local authority that provides wastewater services to its 

residents. The Project fits into Funding Group I as the Project has an anticipated total cost of 

less than $500,000,000. 

Evaluation Criterion 1: Project Planning and Analysis (15 points) 

Subcriterion No.1a- Water Recycling Needs and Opportunities 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the proposal demonstrates that the 

planning activities will explore opportunities for water reclamation and reuse in the area. 

1. Describe the problems and needs in the project area. 

2. Describe the current and projected water supplies and demands in the project area; include 

a discussion on supply and demand imbalances. Additional consideration will be given to 

proposals that explain how the problems and needs in the area may be impacted by climate 

change, and/or if supply and demand projections will include climate change information. 

IWA is the potable service provider to approximately 79,000 people in the City of Indio, with 

nearly 24,000 connections. The potable water uses include residential, commercial, industrial 

and irrigation and the demand amounted to approximately 20,000 acre-feet (AF) in 2020. The 

agency relies exclusively on groundwater from the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin – Indio 

Subbasin. The CVGB has historically been in overdraft condition since the Indio Subbasin that 

IWA extracts its water from is unadjudicated and the extraction rate outpaces the natural 

recharge rate. The CVGB is designated as a High Priority Basin in California. 

Precipitation in this arid region of Southern California averages only 3.1 inches annually, so 

supplies for natural groundwater recharge are extremely limited. Therefore, IWA and other 

water agencies in the region mostly rely on the Colorado River to recharge the basin. However, 

the extreme impacts of climate change on water availability have become clear in recent years. 

All scientific research, as well as actual current drought patterns, indicate the frequency, 

severity and duration of droughts are increasing. Climate change is resulting in very 

unpredictable weather patterns and hotter and drier summers, which is making the 

Southwestern United States water resources ever more vulnerable and unreliable. As a result, 

federal, state and local water planning and operating agencies have taken major efforts to shift 

water dependence from vulnerable sources to more sustainable resources. 

The Colorado River is the source of water for 40 million people and millions of acres of farming 

operations. But the Colorado River has been one of the most susceptible water bodies to 

climate change and the droughts it has brought on. Consequently, the Colorado River Basin 

Regional Water Quality Control Board has determined that continued use of Colorado River 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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water to recharge the groundwater is “unsustainable for the long-term”. In addition, the 

persistent onslaught of droughts in California brought on by climate change has strained the 

supplies of the Colorado River to a point where the largest reservoirs in the country are at 

historically low levels. Therefore, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has asked the seven states 

using water from the river to submit plans for reduction in use. 

To combat the effects of climate change and build resiliency to droughts, utility agencies in the 

Southwest must develop alternative sources of water that are reliable, sustainable, and not 

impacted by climate change such as recycled and desalinated water. The Project works toward 

this objective by taking wastewater that would otherwise be disposed of and turns it into water 

of quality that is suitable for groundwater recharge and irrigation. 

In addition, Colorado River water is high in salt and nutrients. Recharging the CVGB with 

Colorado River water results in water that is high in salt and nutrients when it is pumped from 

the groundwater wells in the area, which requires additional treatment. 

3. Describe how the planning activities will investigate potential uses and markets for 

reclaimed or desalinated water (e.g., environmental restoration, fish and wildlife, 

groundwater recharge, municipal, domestic, industrial, agricultural, power generation, 

and recreation). 

As stated in the Technical Project Description section above, the Project scope in this funding 

request includes development of alternatives. More specifically, the feasibility of various 

alternative will be assessed for using recycled water including irrigation of potentially four golf 

courses in the City of Indio and recharge of the CVGB. The potential environmental impacts of 

the preferred alternatives will be analyzed, and mitigations devised if necessary. In addition, 

specific design parameters for the expansion of the existing WRF including capacity needed for 

additional future recycled water needs will be evaluated. 

4. Describe the source water that will be considered for the project, including location, 

capacities, existing flows, treatment processes, and quantities of impaired water available 

to meet the new reclaimed, recycled, or desalinated water demands. 

The wastewater collection system owned and operated by VSD conveys wastewater via 

approximately 254 miles of mains and 4 pump stations to the WRF. Currently, the system 

collects and treats an average of 6 MGD of wastewater at the WRF located adjacent to the 

Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC). The first treatment that the influent undergoes at 

the WRF is initial screening, grit removal, and is then diverted to the primary clarifiers where 

liquid waste is delivered to aeration basins, oxidation ponds, or the biological treatment unit 

depending on its level of contamination after the initial treatment process. The solid waste 

collected from screening and grit removal is diverted to digesters where it is processed and 

ultimately hauled away by trucks. The liquid waste from the aeration basin is then processed by 

a secondary clarifier and sent to the chlorine contact tank 3 (CCT3) for final treatment. From 

the oxidation ponds and biological treatment unit, the wastewater is sent to the chlorine 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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contact tank 2 (CCT2) for final treatment. From CCT2 and CCT3, the water is treated to the 

required levels to be discharged into the CVSC. Figure 3 below demonstrates the wastewater 

treatment flow chart. The CVSC then carries the treated wastewater 15 miles south to the 

Salton Sea where it is ultimately deposited. 

Figure 3. Wastewater Treatment Flow Chart 

Subcriterion No.1b- Evaluation of Project Alternatives (15 points) 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the proposal demonstrates that the 

planning activities will develop and evaluate of project alternatives. 

1. Describe the objectives that all alternatives will be designed to meet. What other water 

supply alternatives and project alternatives will be investigated? 

Considering the Project will provide upgrades to the WRF by expanding the treatment capacity, 

implementing tertiary treatment, and groundwater recharge, the only alternatives considered 

are the Project vs. No-Project scenarios. In addition, a 2018 Recycled Water Program 

Development Feasibility Study considered alternatives that are related to the use of effluent 

produced by VSD’s WRF. The planning that will be conducted using funds in this grant 

application will expand on the alternative analysis. 

Accordingly, the main design objective of the Recycled Water Treatment Project is to increase 

the capacity of the existing WRF and to implement tertiary level treatment capacity to be in 

compliance with Title 22 standards. This will produce recycled water of sufficient quality that is 

suitable for irrigation and groundwater recharge. 

In general terms, Phases 2 and 3 (the Project in this funding request) will consist of the 

elements described in the Technical section. Funds in this request will be used to further 

develop and refine the Project scope. The technical design criteria that will be evaluated for the 

Project includes pump capacities, disinfection, storage, injection, and distribution. Specific 

treatment technologies will also be recommended. 

Given the impacts of climate change evidenced by the state of droughts in the Southwest, 

recycled water was determined to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to shift away 

from the use of vulnerable sources such as the Colorado River. Therefore, the Project’s focus is

the production of recycled water. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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2. Describe how the planning activities will develop project alternatives (water supply 

sources, reuse strategies, or treatment technologies) that have been or will be investigated. 

There are two reports that are relevant to the Project. The first is the 2015 Water Reclamation 

Facility Master Plan, which provides the phasing process for expanding the WRF’s treatment 

capacity. This document completed an assessment of the WRF unit process, prioritized unit 

process expansion or improvement, selected and sized future treatment unit processes based 

on projected loads, and recommend the design criteria and phasing of treatment process 

expansion and improvements. 

The second report is the 2018 Recycled Water Program Development Feasibility Study, which 

provides details regarding the production of tertiary treated water to be used for groundwater 

recharge of the CVGB and for irrigation. 

The planning activities in this funding request will specifically define the technical deign 

parameters, detail the exact scope of the Project, and further explore the reuse alternatives of 

the recycled water. The planning will also look into the future to verify projected availability of 

wastewater for recycling and the demand for the recycled water in VSD’s service area and

beyond. In addition, the activities will analyze and document environmental impacts of the 

selected project. 

3. Provide a general description of the selected project, including project features, benefits, 

anticipated costs, and analyses conducted. 

1. The selected project consists of expansion of the existing VSD WRF and implementation of 

tertiary wastewater treatment for recycled water production. The components of the 

Project are described in general terms in subsection 1.b.1 above. By using recycled water 

for irrigation and groundwater Shifting away from water sources that are vulnerable to 

climate change and the resulting droughts to a more sustainable resource. 

2. Creating more operational flexibility for the IWA through the availability of recycled water 

to help the CVGB recover from its current state of overdraft and increase its reliability as a 

sustainable water resource. This results in higher resiliency in the face of recurring 

droughts. 

3. The recycled water is of higher quality than Colorado River water, which is high in salt and 

nutrients. This reduces the amount of treatment needed for water pumped from the basin 

to turn it into potable water. 

4. Adequate recharge of the CVGB helps the basin avoid land subsidence. 

recharge, the Project has the following benefits: 

Preliminary analyses of the Project were conducted as described in subsection 1.b.2 above. The 

anticipated total cost for the construction project is $ 90,897,475. 

4. Include a preliminary schedule showing major tasks, milestones, and dates for the 

planning, design, and construction activities related to the project. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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VSD is ready to issue Request for Proposal upon notice of award of this grant to start the 

planning and pre-design process. The table below shows the Project’s detailed schedule.

Table 1. Project Schedule 

Project Component Estimated Completion Date 

Environmental Process Start upon notice of award 

Cultural and Historical Assessment Report 2/2025 

Biological Assessment Report 2/2025 

Final Impact Statement (IS)/Mitigation 

Negative Declaration (MND) 2/2025 

Final Notice of Determination (NOD) 3/2025 

Design Plans and Construction Documents 

Preliminary Design Documents – Phase 2 10/2024 

Preliminary Design Documents – Phase 3 10/2025 

Preliminary Design Documents –

Groundwater Recharge 10/2025 

Evaluation Criterion 2- Stretching Water Supplies (20 points) 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the project being investigated will help to 

secure and stretch water supplies and contribute to a more sustainable water supply. 

1. Describe the potential for the project to reduce, postpone, or eliminate the development of 

new or expanded non-recycled water supplies. 

The Recycled Water Treatment Project will produce recycled water to be used for irrigation and 

groundwater recharge. This production of recycled water will be offset in the same amount of 

imported water from the Colorado River and underground water pumping from the CVGB 

(proportional to the amount used for each purpose). Therefore, the Project has a direct and 

equal reduction in the amount of water supplies from non-recycled water sources. As demands 

for potable water increase in the future while production of recycled water also increases with 

the implementation of the Project, the need for additional non-recycled water supplies and 

infrastructure, such as digging new wells, is reduced, or eliminated. 

2. Describe the potential for the project to alleviate pressure on existing water supplies and/or 

facilities. 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. 

IWA is the primary water supply provider within VSD’s service area to approximately 79,000 

people within its 38 square-mile service area. The only potable water supply is local 

groundwater from the CVGB, which is replenished with imported water from the Colorado 

River. The CVGB is an irreplaceable water resource that can store up to 39 million acre-feet per 

year (AFY) and provides drinking water supplies to a population of 320,000. 

The Project will enable VSD to produce recycled water for utilization by IWA to distribute to its 

customers for non-potable uses (irrigation) and to inject the water into the CVGB. With 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the Project, the capacity of the WRF will be expanded to 

10.0 MGD and with an estimated recycled water production of 12,890 AFY. IWA supplied a total 

of 19,880 AF of water to its customers in 2020. 

The Colorado River, which originates in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, has been a consistent 

water source that seven Western US states and Mexico rely on. However, there has been a 

prolonged 21 year warming and drying trend that is pushing one of the nation’s largest water 

supplies to record lows. In response to the historic lows, the Federal Government has declared 

a Tier 1 water shortage in the Colorado River for the first time ever in August 2021. This 

declaration has reduced water allocations from the River for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico. 

This production of recycled water will be offset in the same amount in imported water from the 

Colorado River and underground water pumping from the CVGB (proportional to the amount 

used for each purpose). Recycled water is a sustainable and reliable local water resource that 

converts water that would otherwise be disposed of into valuable, usable water. This translates 

into a substantial reduction in the amount of imported Colorado River water and pumped 

groundwater, thereby alleviating pressure on the vulnerable Colorado River and the over 

drafted CVGB. 

3. Describe the potential for the project to make water available to address a specific concern. 

Explain the specific concern and its severity. Also explain the role of the project being 

investigated in addressing that concern and the extent to which the project will address it. 

Specific concerns may include, but are not limited to: 

• Water supply shortages 

• Water supply reliability 

• Groundwater depletion 

• Water quality issues 

• Natural disasters that may impact water supply infrastructure. 

• Heightened competition for water supplies 

• Availability of alternative supplies 

• Increasing cost of water supplies 

AS mentioned above, IWA exclusively relies on underground water pumped from the CVGB, 

which has historically been in a state of overdraft and is designated as a High Priority Basin in 

California. Precipitation in this arid region of Southern California averages only 3.1 inches 

annually, so supplies for natural groundwater recharge are extremely limited. Therefore, IWA 

and other water agencies in the regain mostly rely on Colorado River to recharge the basin. 

However, supplies from the Colorado River are currently unprecedently scarce, which means 

that they are not a long-term sustainable source of water. With the Colorado River and the 

CVGB being relied on by many people and acres of farmland and yet both being vulnerable and 

unsustainable, water agencies must find more reliable alternatives. The Project creates a locally 

produced reliable water resource that replaces water from vulnerable sources, which addresses 

the following: 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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• Water supply shortages: long, intense, and severe droughts are an evident result of climate 

change. As has been demonstrated in the last 10 to 15 years, droughts and water shortages 

are becoming the norm in the Southwestern U.S. Therefore, development of alternative 

sources of water that are reliable and drought resistant must be taken on by water 

agencies. The Project works towards this goal. 

• Water supply reliability: locally produced recycled water is a reliable water resource since it 

is made from already available wastewater. 

• Groundwater depletion: the Project offsets the use of groundwater by shifting to recycled 

water for irrigation and contributes to the recharge of the CVGB. 

• Water quality issues: Colorado River water is high in salt and nutrients and is not ideal for 

groundwater recharge. Recycled water is of higher quality. 

• Heightened competition for water supplies: The seven Southwestern U.S. states that use 

Colorado River water are currently in disagreement over the amount of water each state 

needs to reduce as requested by Reclamation. The Project is exactly what the region needs 

to implement to reduce reliance on the Colorado River and avoid competition and potential 

litigation among states and water agencies. 

In addition, there are current local legal conflicts over water. The implementation of the 

Project that provide an additional water supply to benefit the region. 

• Availability of alternative supplies: the Project constitutes an alternative water supply. 

• Increasing cost of water supplies: with water becoming more scarce from vulnerable 

sources such as the Colorado River, already expensive water is only anticipated to become 

more costly. The Project will ultimately increase the available water supply by up to 12,890 

AFY of locally produced and affordable water. 

4. Describe the potential for the project to help create additional flexibility to address drought. 

Will water made available by the project being investigated continue to be available during 

periods of drought? To what extent is the water made available by the project being 

investigated more drought resistant than alternative water supply options? Explain. 

The Project creates a locally produced water resource that is made from wastewater that would 

otherwise be disposed of. The availability of wastewater is minimally impacted by drought 

recurrence (volumes may be less in drought years in response to water conservation efforts but 

should not substantially affect the amount available for recycling). Having a steady, reliable, 

and relatively fixed quantity of water every year regardless of drought conditions allows for 

great flexibility and predictability in allocating water resources and avoiding drastic and sudden 

cuts that affect populations’ health, well-being, and livelihoods. 

Evaluation Criterion- Environment and Water Quality (20 points) 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the project being investigated will improve 

surface, groundwater, or effluent discharge quality; will restore or enhance habitat for nonlisted species; or will provide water or habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered 

species. Indirect benefits of the project will also be considered under this criterion. 

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Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

1. Describe the potential for the project to improve the quality of surface water or groundwater. 

The recycled water produced by the Project will come from wastewater from customers in 

VSD’s service area. The effluent water quality produced by the Project will be at levels beyond 

what is necessary to meet State discharge requirements. Therefore, treated wastewater that 

would otherwise be discharged into natural water bodies will be further treated and used for 

irrigation and groundwater recharge. The secondary treatment water that will be eliminated 

from being discharged into water bodies has nutrients that contribute to algae growth and 

oxygen depletion that greatly impact water life. Any reduction in unnatural wastewater being 

introduced into natural ecosystems will contribute to healthier habitats that support thriving 

aquatic life. 

In addition, Colorado River water is high in salt and nutrients and has resulted in the California 

Regional Water Quality Control Board- Colorado River Basin Region having to develop a 

Groundwater Basin Salt and Nutrient Management Plan. Groundwater recharge with new 

recycled water supplies is one of the priority solutions recommended in this Plan as 

groundwater recharge with water from the Colorado River is resulting in high salinity and 

nutrient concentrations for the basin. Production from wells throughout the basin do not meet 

ideal drinking water concentrations for salt and nutrients and therefore requires additional 

treatment which is costly and inefficient. 

2. Describe the potential for the project to improve effluent quality beyond levels necessary to 

meet State or Federal discharge requirements. 

Please see subsection 1 above. 

3. Describe the potential for the project to improve flow conditions in a natural stream channel. 

Effluent water from the WRF is discharged into the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel. The 

Project will take wastewater from the facility and treat it to recycled water standards to use for 

irrigation and groundwater recharge instead of discharging additional effluent into the channel. 

4. Describe the potential for the project to restore or enhance habitat for non-listed fish and 

wildlife species. 

As detailed above, the Project creates a locally produced alternative source of water that that is 

sustainable during drought events, and offsets the use of Colorado River water. Lake Powell and 

Lake Meade on the Colorado River, the two biggest water reservoirs in the U.S. are at 

historically low water levels. Therefore, any drop potentially saved translates into a lifesaving 

resource for the ecology in these two water bodies 

5. Describe the potential for the project to provide water or habitat for federally listed 

threatened or endangered species. 

The Colorado River and the SWP are the primary sources of water supply for the District’s

region and are home to species of flora and fauna listed as state or federally endangered. These 

endangered species will benefit from the additional water supply that will remain at source by 

reducing the use of these supplies for groundwater recharge. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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The water from the SWP originates in the Delta, which is a complex network of channels and 

reclaimed islands at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and home to 

various species listed under the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts. Some of the 

endangered species in the Delta include the Delta Smelt, Chinook Salmon and Sacramento 

Splittail. The Project contributes to likelihood of reducing the amount of water diverted from 

the Delta. 

The impact to the environment due to recent drought conditions has been tremendous. 

According to the Pacific Institute, many of the State’s environmental flows went unmet during

the drought period, affecting aquatic ecosystems and decreased protections for endangered 

species. The drought has caused losses or destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of 

wetlands, more wildfires and lower water levels in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. Dry creeks and 

rivers led 18 fish species to diminish to near extinction. 

Additionally, the Colorado River is relied upon by seven US states or approximately 40 million 

people for water. The high demand and impacts on water levels from climate changed induced 

droughts, has caused the Colorado River to be classified as the most endangered river in the 

county by the organization, American Rivers. Furthermore, the Colorado River runs through five 

US states and Baja California of varying habitats, making it home to several threatened and 

endangered species. These species include, but are not limited to, the Whooping Crane, Interior 

Least Turn, Pallid Sturgeon, Piping Plover, Razorback Sucker, Colorado Pikeminnow, Bonytail 

Chub, and Humpback Chub. The Project will reduce diversions from this heavily relied upon 

water source by creating a new source of water that can be used for recharging the CVGB. 

Given the state of the water levels in the Colorado River and Delta, any increment of water 

saved, no matter how small, translates into a lifesaving resource for the ecology that relies 

upon these waterbodies. 

Evaluation Criterion 4- Department of the Interior Priorities (15 points) 

Up to 15 points may be awarded based on the extent that the project demonstrates support for 

the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities, including E.O. 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis 

at Home and Abroad, E.O. 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

Communities Through the Federal Government, and the President’s memorandum, Tribal

Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships. Points will be allocated based 

on the degree to which the project supports the priorities listed, and whether the connection to 

the priority(ies) is well supported in the application. Without repeating benefits already 

described in previous criteria, describe in detail how the proposed project supports a 

priority(ies) below. 

Climate Change: Points will be awarded based on the extent the project will reduce climate 

pollution; increase resilience to the impacts of climate change; protect public health; 

and conserve our lands, waters, oceans, and biodiversity. Address the following as relevant to 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

your project. 

E.O. 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, focuses on increasing resilience 

to climate change and supporting climate- resilient development. For additional information on 

the impacts of climate change throughout the western United States, see: 

www.usbr.gov/climate/ secure/docs/2021secure/2021SECUREReport.pdf. Please describe how 

the project will address climate change, including the following: 

• Please provide specific details and examples on how the project will address the impacts 

of climate change and help combat the climate crisis. 

Climate change has become evident in California with hotter summers and more frequent and 

intense droughts with longer durations. In their various planning efforts, VSD and IWA 

thoroughly consider the effects of climate change and develops policies, strategies, and specific 

projects to build resiliency to climate change. The Project directly serves VSD’s and IWA’s

robust strategy to adapt to climate change and achieves resiliency by shifting reliance on water 

supplies from the climate change-vulnerable Colorado River, and instead using a local resource 

that is shielded from the effects of climate change. 

Severe drought conditions brought on by climate change can also negatively affect air quality 

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Droughts create an increased risk 

for wildfires and dust storms. Particulate matter suspended in the air from these events can 

irritate the bronchial passages and lungs. Some drought-related health effects are experienced 

in the short-term and can be directly observed and measured. Additionally, the slow rise of 

drought can also result in longer term, indirect health implications. By reducing dependence on 

imported water and making those supplies more available to mitigate drought impacts 

(firefighting, irrigation, etc.), the Project can help reduce air pollution and reduce resulting 

detrimental effects on air quality. The proposed Project will provide a sustainable and drought 

resistant solution to deal with the current climate change issues. 

• Does this proposed project strengthen water supply sustainability to increase resilience to 

climate change? Does the proposed project contribute to climate change resiliency in other 

ways not described above? 

The Project directly shifts away from using the climate change-impacted Colorado River to 

recycled water, a resource that has steady and known availability, which makes it sustainable 

for many years into the future. 

Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities: Points will be awarded based on the extent to 

which the Project serves economically disadvantaged or underserved communities in rural or 

urban areas. 

• Will the proposed project serve or benefit a disadvantaged or historically underserved 

community? Benefits can include, but are not limited to, public health and safety by 

addressing water quality, new water supplies, or economic growth opportunities. 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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The Project will provide direct and meaningful benefit to underserved communities in its 

service area, particularly in the City of Indio. The State of California defines Disadvantaged 

Communities (DAC) as census geographies with an annual median household income (MHI) 

that is less than 80 percent of the Statewide annual MHI. The other group that is defined is 

Severely Disadvantaged Communities (SDAC), which are census geographies with an annual 

MHI that is less than 60 percent of the Statewide annual MHI. The current California 

statewide MHI is $84,097. 

The map shown in Figure 4 below is taken from a DAC mapping tool developed by the 

California Department of Water Resources. The map shows that the entire service area for 

IWA is DAC / SDAC. 

The Project creates a locally produced water resource that is made from wastewater that 

would otherwise be disposed of. Having a steady, reliable, and relatively fixed quantity of 

water every year regardless of drought conditions allows for great flexibility and 

predictability in allocating water resources and avoiding drastic and sudden cuts that affect 

populations’ health, well-being, and livelihoods. 

Figure 4. Disadvantaged Communities Map 

• Please describe in detail how the community is disadvantaged based on a combination 

of variables that may include the following: 

• Low income, high and/or persistent poverty 

• High unemployment and underemployment 

• Racial and ethnic residential segregation, particularly where the segregation stems from 

discrimination by government entities 

• Linguistic isolation 

• High housing cost burden and substandard housing 

• Distressed neighborhoods 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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• High transportation cost burden and/or low transportation access 

• Disproportionate environmental stressor burden and high cumulative impacts 

• Limited water and sanitation access and affordability 

• Disproportionate impacts from climate change 

• High energy cost burden and low energy access 

• Jobs lost through energy transition 

• Access to healthcare 

The District is an economically disadvantaged community, with an average MHI below 

80% of the state average. Please see description and map above. 

Additionally, the City of Indio (District service area) suffers from disproportionate 

exposure to environmental stressors. According to the California Office of 

Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)’s online tool, CalEnviroScreen 4.0,

ozone concentrations in the service area are higher than 89% of the rest of the State of 

California. VSD’s service area also suffers from impaired waters, with 77% more 

impaired waters than the rest of the State. 

Furthermore, the City of Indio suffers from extreme levels of unemployment. 

California’s unemployment rate as of December 2022 is 4.1%. Meanwhile, the majority 

of census tracts in VSD’s service area are in the 90th percentile (90% higher than the rest 

of the State) with unemployment rates as high as 17%. 

• If the proposed project is providing benefits to an underserved community, provide 

sufficient information to demonstrate that the community meets the underserved 

definition in E.O. 13985, which includes populations sharing a particular characteristic, 

as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full 

opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. 

As described in the section above, VSD’s service area is an economically disadvantaged

community that is also disproportionately exposed to impaired waters and high 

concentrations of ozone compared to other census tracts throughout the State. 

The Project will reduce VSD’s reliance on expensive and imported water supplies from 

the SWP and Colorado River for groundwater recharge. The reduced reliance will allow 

VSD to keep sewer user rates down while continuing to provide high quality wastewater 

services. 

Tribal Benefits: Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the Project will honor the 

Federal government’s commitments to Tribal Nations.

• Does the proposed project directly serve and/or benefit a Tribe? Will the project improve 

water management for an Indian Tribe? 

There are multiple Tribes within Riverside County, who rely on CVGB. As an example, 

Cabazon Band of Mission Indians is the tribe with one of the golf courses. The water 

produced through the implementation of the Project will reduce the imported water and its 

impacts on the region including the salt and nutrient levels, supplement the groundwater 

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Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

supplies from the CVGB, which provide water resources to tribes and rural communities. 

Creating more operational flexibility for the SWP and CVGB systems will indirectly benefit 

tribes and rural communities. 

By reducing imported water supply from the Colorado River, the Project directly supports 

tribal communities that depend on this water body. 

• Does the proposed project support Tribal resilience to climate change and drought impacts 

or provide other Tribal benefits such as improved public health and safety by addressing 

water quality, new water supplies, or economic growth opportunities? 

As mentioned above, not only IWA but the region has relied on Colorado River water 

exchanged for SWP water to replenish the CVGB. These sources of water have seen legal 

battles, at times contentious, over this precious resource. SWP water supplies are 

threatened by prolonged drought periods and other legal and climatic restrictions which 

makes the region susceptible to the uncertainty of supply and delivery. 

Even though there is a set allocation of SWP water through 2035, if that volume of water is 

not available, they will be delivered a lesser amount and will have to pause groundwater 

recharge, reducing water service reliability. Implementing the Project will help avoid having 

to navigate through the legalities of obtaining water from the SWP or Colorado River, 

potentially increasing the chances for tensions and conflict over water. 

Additionally, currently there are potential legal constraints with the Agua Caliente Band of 

Cahuilla Indians and other water agencies over sustainable groundwater management. If 

SWP water becomes insubstantial to exchange for Colorado River water for groundwater 

recharge, conflict with Tribes is highly likely. 

By increasing water supplies through new local resources, VSD will be able to provide a new 

water supply previously wasted to meet demands and for groundwater recharge. This new 

water supply will be imperative to well being of all residents but specifically the tribal 

communities that rely on them for their livelihood and economic growth. The golf course in 

the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians is an example of how one of the tribes in the VSD’s

service area will directly benefit from the proposed project. 

Evaluation Criterion 5- Watershed Perspective and Stakeholder Involvement (15 points) 

Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the project being investigated 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 need 

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 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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participation of all interested groups, and uses the full spectrum of technical disciplines in 

activities and decision making. 

1. Will the proposed project implement a regional or state water plan or an integrated resource 

management plan? Explain. 

VSD and IWA have long cooperated on water and wastewater activities in their service areas. In 

their most effective effort yet, the agencies formally teamed up by creating the East Valley 

Reclamation Authority in 2013 under a joint power agreement between them. The EVRA is 

specifically tasked with implementing and operating a recycled water program. 

In addition, IWA and VSD are part of the Coachella Valley Water Management Group, which 

includes four other water agencies. The group developed the 2018 Coachella Valley Integrated 

Regional Water Management Plan & Stormwater Resource Plan. Recycled water is discussed in 

detail throughout the document and the Project specifically meets the following goals and 

objectives of the plan: 

Goals: 

1. Optimize water supply reliability. 

2. Protect or improve water quality. 

3. Provide stewardship of water-related natural resources. 

4. Coordinate and integrate water resource management. 

5. Ensure cultural, social, and economic sustainability of water in the Coachella Valley 

Objectives: 

1. Provide reliable water supply for residential and commercial, agricultural community, 

and tourism needs. 

2. Manage groundwater levels to reduce overdraft, manage perched water, and minimize 

subsidence. 

3. Maximize local supply opportunities, including water conservation, water recycling and 

source substitution, and capture and infiltration of runoff. 

4. Protect groundwater quality and improve, where feasible. 

Also, California Governor Gavin Newsome issued Executive Order Number N-10-19, which is an 

initiative to develop resiliency to droughts and better manage the state’s water resources. To

implement the Governor’s Executive Order, the state issued the California Water Resilience 

Portfolio in July 2020. The Portfolio establishes policies and objectives to prepare the state for a 

water sustainable future. Some of the objectives of the Portfolio are to maintain and diversify 

water supplies, protect and enhance natural ecosystems and be prepared. The Project 

contributes to all three of these state’s objectives, thus furthering this larger state initiative. 

2. Will the proposed project help meet the water supply needs of a large geographic area, 

region, or watershed? Explain. 

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Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

Yes. The Project will ultimately result in the creation of 12,890 AFY of recycled water for the 

entire service area of IWA. 

3. Will the proposed project promote collaborative partnerships to address water-related 

issues? Explain. Describe stakeholder involvement in the project planning process. 

As mentioned above, IWA and VSD are part of the Coachella Valley Water Management Group, 

which encompasses 1,420 square miles. Planning for the region is carried out collaboratively by 

the member agencies. The agencies are continually planning to optimize the region’s water

resources with input from all stakeholders. For example, the development of the 2018 

Coachella Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Plan / Stormwater Resource Plan was 

done with extensive stakeholder input ranging from federal and state agencies to local 

residents and businesses. Similarly, funds requested in this grant application will be used to 

further develop the Project through an extensive stakeholder and community engagement 

process. 

4. Will the proposed project include public outreach and opportunities for the public to learn 

about the project? Explain. 

IWA and VSD have been engaged with customers for some time to explain and promote the use 

of recycled water. As part of the planning and construction of Phase 1, IWA and VSD worked 

closely with the community on information about the project. The community outreach will 

continue for the Project with a robust program containing the following elements: 

A. Develop a project website with a project factsheet and updates of the Project progress and 

schedule. The website will allow members of the community to provide input at any time. 

B. Hold two community workshops to educate people about recycled water in general and the 

Project specifically and receive input from the participants. 

C. Post project information and updates on various social media platforms. 

PROJECT BUDGET 

Funding Plan 

The District will utilize funding from its sewer service fees to provide the required 50% funding 

match. 

Budget Proposal 

Table 2. Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources 

Funding Sources Amount 

Non-Federal Entities 

1. Valley Sanitary District $280,439 

Non-Federal Subtotal $280,439 

Requested Reclamation Funding $280,439 

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Valley Sanitary District Proposal for Bureau of 

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Table 3. Total Project Cost 

Source Amount 

Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal 

Funding 

$280,439 

Costs to be paid by the applicant $280,439 

Value of third-party contributions $0 

Total Project Cost $560,878 

Budget Narrative 

Please see the attached SF-424A form. All Project costs are contractual costs associated with 

the preparation of environmental and design documents. 

Letters of Funding Commitment 

There are no third-party contributors, therefore this is not applicable. 

REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS 

No permits will be required for the planning and preliminary design efforts for the proposed 

Project. However, the following permits are anticipated for Project construction: 

• State Water Resources Control Board- Division of Water Rights 

• State Water Resources Control Board- Division of Drinking Water- Change Petition 

• Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board 

OFFICAL RESOLUTION 

The District will submit the signed official resolution after its next board meeting. 

OVERLAP OR DUPLICATION OF EFFORT STATEMENT 

The Valley Sanitary District certifies that there is no overlap between the proposed Project or 

any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or commitment of key 

personnel. Additionally, Valley Sanitary District certifies that this proposal does not duplicate 

any proposal that has been submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding 

sources. 

UNIFORM AUDIT REPORTING STATEMENT 

The Valley Sanitary District acknowledges the requirement for a Single Audit report and has/will 

continue to comply with this requirement. 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 

No actual or potential conflicts of interest associated with the implementation of the Project 

have been identified prior to or during the time of submission of this proposal. 

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