WaterSMART

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and 

Reclamation Project 

WaterSMART 

Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, FY 2017, FOA No. BOR-DO-17-F002 

Previous Agreements: R11AC35306, R12AC35339, R14AC00049 and R15AC00059
 

Inland Empire Utilities Agency Jason Gu, Grants Officer 

6075 Kimball Avenue jgu@iuea.org 

Chino, CA 91708 (909) 993 - 1636 tel, (909) 606-7364 fax 
Proposal Contents 

Attachments .................................................................................................................................. ii
 

List of Tables................................................................................................................................. ii
 

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... ii
 

List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... iii
 

Section 1: Technical Proposal....................................................................... 1
 

1.1	 Executive Summary ............................................................................... 1
 

1.2	 Technical Project Description ................................................................. 3
 

1.2.1	 Project Description and Background Information ....................... 3
 

1.2.2 Project Activities ......................................................................... 9
 

Task 1 – Environmental Documentation/National Environmental 

Policy Act Compliance................................................................ 9
 

Task 3 – Final Design .......................................................................... 10
 

Task 4 – Permitting .............................................................................. 10
 

Task 5 – Construction Contracting....................................................... 10
 

Task 6 – Construction .......................................................................... 10
 

Task 7 – Administration and Reporting ................................................ 10
 

1.3	 Evaluation Criteria................................................................................ 11
 

1.3.1	 Water Supply............................................................................ 11
 

1.3.2	 Status of Project....................................................................... 14
 

1.3.3	 Environment and Water Quality ............................................... 23
 

1.3.4	 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency ............................... 26
 

1.3.5	 Cost per Acre-Foot of Water and Other Project Benefits ......... 28
 

1.3.6	 Reclamation’s Obligations and Benefits to Rural or
 

Economically Disadvantaged Communities ............................. 31
 

1.3.7	 Watershed Perspective ............................................................ 32
 

Section 2: Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance................. 36
 

Section 3: Letters of Support ...................................................................... 49
 

Section 4: Required Permits or Approvals .................................................. 50
 

Section 5: Official Resolutions .................................................................... 52
 

Section 6: Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment ................................. 53
 

6.1	 Non-Federal Share of Expenditures..................................................... 54
 

6.2	 Completed Elements/Previous Project Expenditures........................... 55
 

6.3	 Budget Form 424C............................................................................... 57
 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page i 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project
 
Proposal Contents (cont'd) 

Section 7: Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award 

Management (SAM) .................................................................... 58 

Section 8: References.................................................................................. 59 

Attachments 

A. Letters of Support 

B. Draft Resolution 

C. Letter of Commitment 

List of Tables 

1 Completed and Planned Activities, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

2 Permitting for the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

3 Construction Costs by Year 

4 Annual Replacement Costs 

5 Permits for the Chino Phase 3 Desalter Expansion 

6 Completed and Planned Activities, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

7 Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources 

List of Figures 

ES-1 Project Overview 

1 Project Overview 

2 Phase 3 Expansion Photos 

3 Project Schedule 

4 Disadvantaged Communities in the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Service Area 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page ii 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 
 

Proposal Contents (cont'd) 

List of Acronyms 

AF acre-feet 

AFY acre-feet per year 

CAO Cleanup and Abatement Order 

CDA Chino Basin Desalter Authority 

CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife 

CEQA California Environmental Quality Act 

CVP Central Valley Project 

DWR California Department of Water Resources 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact 

IEUA Inland Empire Utilities Agency 

IX Ion Exchange 

JCSD Jurupa Community Services District 

JPA Joint Powers Authority 

kWh kilowatt hour 

kWh/AF kilowatt hour per acre-foot 

MCL Maximum Contaminant Limit 

Metropolitan Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 

MGD million gallons a day 

Mg/l milligrams per liter 

MND Mitigated Negative Declaration 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

OBMP Optimum Basin Management Plan 

Reclamation US Bureau of Reclamation 

RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board 

RO Reverse Osmosis 

SARI Santa Ana Regional Interceptor 

SARWC Santa Ana River Water Company 

SAWPA Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority 

SEIR Subsequent Environmental Impact Report 

SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board 

TCE Trichloroethylene 

TDS total dissolved solids 

USBR US Bureau of Reclamation 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page iii 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 
Proposal Contents (cont'd) 

VOC volatile organic compounds 

Watermaster Chino Basin Watermaster 

Western Western Municipal Water District 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page iv 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 
 

 

Section 1: Technical Proposal 

1.1 Executive Summary 

Date:	 December 12, 2016 

Applicant:	 Inland Empire Utilities Agency 

City, County, State:	 City of Chino, San Bernardino County, California 

Amount of Water Reclaimed: 10,600 acre-feet per year 

Project Name:	 Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation 

Project 

Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), in association with the Chino Basin Desalter 

Authority (CDA) and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), is seeking 

grant funding for Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 

initiative authorized by Title XVI. In this grant application, the entire authorized Title 

XVI Project is called the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project. The overall 

Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project will make an additional 10,600 acre-feet 

per year (AFY) of treated potable water available through enhanced pumping of 

brackish groundwater from the Chino Basin. The Project components proposed for 

funding are comprised of a comprehensive system to pump and treat poor quality 

groundwater to a level suitable for potable use and then distribute this water to 

communities in the Inland Empire area. Elements of the program include a raw water 

system including wells and pipelines, treatment at interconnected desalters, disposal 

of brine, and distribution of product water through product water pipelines and pump 

stations. Figure ES-1 provides a project overview. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 1 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

 

 

 

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Additional Raw Water Pipelines Chino Basin Desalter Authority Service Area Feet Figure ES-1 

Project Overview 
1.2 Technical Project Description 

1.2.1 Project Description and Background Information 

The Chino Groundwater Basin (Chino Basin, Basin) is the principal water supply for 

20 municipal agencies and nearly 400 agricultural and dairy operations. Total 

groundwater production is approximately 190,000 AFY. Figure 1 illustrates the 

location of the Chino Groundwater Basin. The Basin consists of approximately 235 

square miles of the upper Santa Ana River watershed with approximately 80 percent 

of the Basin within San Bernardino County, approximately 15 percent in Riverside 

County, and 5 percent in Los Angeles County. It is estimated that the Basin has a 

storage capacity of five to seven million acre-feet. 

The Chino Basin is subject to adjudication, whereby the major water management 

actions (monitoring, recharge, salt management, and production) are overseen by a 

nine-member Watermaster Board. The goals and objectives for management of the 

Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied in the Chino Basin Optimum Basin 

Management Plan (OBMP). The groundwater aquifer in the Chino Basin has 

historically been affected by high salinity and high nitrate concentrations resulting 

from past agricultural activities. The high salinity in the Basin has rendered this local 

water supply non-potable and threatened other down-gradient water bodies. High 

salt and nitrate concentrations are two long-standing water quality issues in the 

Chino Basin. Between January 2001 and June 2006, over half of all wells (452 

wells) in the Chino Basin exceeded the California maximum contaminant level (MCL) 

for nitrate and nearly half of all wells (359 wells) exceeded the MCL for total 

dissolved solids (TDS). Nitrate contamination has known short-term acute health 

effects. The health effects of elevated TDS are not well defined, but high TDS levels 

noticeably affect the taste of water and hence affect consumer acceptance of water. 

The Chino I Desalter (Chino I) began operation in 2000 as the first phase of a 

groundwater management project designed to help maintain hydraulic control of the 

Chino Basin, to preserve or increase the yield of the Basin, to remove contaminants 

from the groundwater, and to provide a drinking water supply. The Chino II Desalter 

(Chino II) started operation in 2006 to expand the capacity of the groundwater 

treatment system. Treatment technologies used at Chino I and Chino II include 

reverse osmosis (RO), ion-exchange (IX) and volatile organic compound (VOC) air 

stripping. Construction of these facilities constituted the Chino Desalter Phase 1 and 

Phase 2 projects. Chino Desalter facilities are owned and operated by the CDA, a 

joint powers authority (JPA) composed of the IEUA, Western Municipal Water 

District (Western), City of Ontario, City of Norco, Jurupa Community Services District 

(JCSD), City of Chino Hills, City of Chino, and the Santa Ana River Water Company 

(SARWC). 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 3 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

 

 

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Despite the construction and operation of the desalter facilities, issues still remain in 

the Chino Basin. 

•	 The southern end of the Chino Basin, which is adjacent to the Santa Ana River, 

overflows on the surface to the River. The groundwater in the Lower Basin is 

heavily degraded with salt, nitrogen and volatile organic compounds due to a 

long history of certain commercial/industrial operations, irrigated agriculture 

and dairy farming. Historically, the underlying groundwater in the lower end of 

the basin has been used to support agricultural uses and discharge of 

degraded groundwater to the River did not occur. However, as the land in the 

lower end of the Basin is converted to urban uses, the low-quality water 

overflows to the Santa Ana River, creating adverse impacts to downstream 

users. This “spill” of degraded water affects the 350,000 AFY of Santa Ana 

River water used by Orange County Water District (OCWD). Contamination of 

the Santa Ana River harms the comprehensive groundwater recharge program 

of OCWD. Additionally, the degraded water makes its way to Prado Basin, a 

significant freshwater wetland resource in Southern California. The California 

Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) – Santa Ana Region has 

ordered elimination of this “spill” (i.e., hydraulic control). 

•	 The Basin is under a Superior Court order (Case #RCV 51010) to address 

water quality caused by agricultural practices. 

•	 Ongoing salt issues could limit future use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

To address these issues, the CDA is implementing the Phase 3 Chino Basin 

Desalter Expansion Project. This Project is an extension of the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Desalination and Reclamation Project authorized by Section 1638 (H.R. 177). 

In September 2006, IEUA provided the US Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation, 

USBR) a Feasibility Report that included the proposed project. The Feasibility 

Report was prepared in compliance with Reclamation Guidelines for Preparing, 

Reviewing, and Processing Water Reclamation and Reuse Project Proposal Under 

Title XVI of Public Law 102-575. The Phase 3 Expansion Project would expand the 

desalter program such that the groundwater pumping for the desalters would reach 

40,000 AFY. Pumping would occur in amounts and at locations in southwestern 

Chino Basin that the Chino Basin Watermaster believes would contribute to the 

full achievement of hydraulic control. Phase 3 would include, the expansion of 

Desalter capacity, brine concentrate reduction, the construction and operation 

of new groundwater wells, as well as new pump stations and pipelines. Overall, 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project will make an additional 10,600 

AFY of local groundwater available for drinking water. 

Implementation of the Phase 3 Expansion has been ongoing since 2009. Table 1 

shows the completed activities as well as the ongoing and planned activities. The 

total estimated cost for the Phase 3 Expansion is $141,689,662. Figure ES-1 

maps Phase 3 Expansion facilities and Figure 2 provides photos of various 

project elements. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 5 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
   

     

   

           

     

          

     

           

          

         

          

        

          

          

                  

            

       

             

            

          

          

       

           

              

         

        

          

      

                 

                 

                 

                 

                   

Table 1. Completed and Planned Activities, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

Local Funding

Federal Funding

Received/

Awarded Total Cost

Completed Activities

Studies and Design of Chino Creek

Wellfield (a) (a) (a)

Comprehensive Preliminary Design

Report (a) (a) (a)

Chino II Desalter Expansion $15,013,273 $0 $15,013,273

California Environmental Quality Act (a) (a) (a)

Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek Wells

16, 17, and 18 $4,617,238 $0 $4,617,238

Raw Water Pipeline Chino Creek

Wellfield to Chino I $1,779,632 $0 $1,779,632

Milliken Pump Station $1,783,719 $0 $1,783,719

1110 Pump Station Expansion $1,589,980 $0 $1,589,980

1010 Pump Station (b) $2,175,780 $725,260 $2,901,040

Drilling and Equipping Wells 20 and 21 (c) $2,742,713 $914,238 $3,656,951

Product Water Transmission Pipeline (b) $23,324,682 $3,274,740 $26,599,422

Activities Finishing December 2016

Drilling Well 19, Drilling and Equipping of

Chino Creek Well 19A (c) $3,266,632 $636,857 $3,903,489

Brine Concentrate Reduction Facilities (d) $42,706,713 $12,200,000 $54,906,713

Subtotal Activities Through Dec 2016 $99,000,362 $17,751,095 $116,751,457

Activities through September 2019

Construction of Chino I/Chino II Intertie

Pipeline and Flow Control Facility (e) $5,525,578 $0 $5,525,578

Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw

Water Pipelines (e) $16,412,627 $3,000,000 $19,412,627

Subtotal Activities Through Sept 2019 $21,938,205 $3,000,000 $24,938,205

Total All Activities $120,938,567 $20,751,095 $141,689,662

Notes:

(a) The costs for planning and design activities included with construction costs

(b) These elements are receiving $4,000,000 in funding from Agreement R12AC35339.

(c) These elements are receiving $1,551,095 in funding from Agreement R11AC35306.

(d) This element is receiving $12,200,000 in funding from Agreement R15AC00059.

(e) These elements are receiving $ 3,000,000 in funding from Agreement R14AC00049.

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 6 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
______________________ 

Brine Concentrate Facility 

_____________________ 

Zone 1010 Pump Station 

____________________ 

Product Water Pipeline 

_________________ 

Raw Water Pipeline 

____________________ 

_ Well I-20 

______________ 

Chino II Desalter 

Chino Basin Desalter Authority 

Riverside, California 

Project Overview 

November 2016 

Figure 2, Page 7 
Intertie Pipeline 

Well II-11 

Chino Basin Desalter Authority 

Riverside, California 

Project Overview 

November 2016 

Figure 2 Page 8 
1.2.2 Project Activities 

The following tasks are a part of the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion: 

Task 1 - Environmental Documentation/National Environmental Policy Act 

Compliance 

Task 2 - Preliminary Design 

Task 3 - Final Design 

Task 4 - Permitting 

Task 5 - Construction Contracting 

Task 6 - Construction 

Task 7 - Administration and Reporting 

Task 1 – Environmental Documentation/National Environmental Policy Act 

Compliance 

The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Chino Desalter Phase 3 

Expansion (Initial Study/MND) was approved by CDA in January 2011. The 

Initial Study/MND found that although the proposed Project could have a 

significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect due 

to mitigation measures. This document formed the basis for completing 

necessary National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. The Lower 

Colorado Region of Reclamation found that the Project is not a major Federal 

action that will significantly impact the quality of the human environment. 

Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement was not required for 

implementing the Project and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was 

issued on September 28, 2011. 

Task 2 – Preliminary Design 

The first task in the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion was to inventory the 

existing facilities, well capacities, water quality, and water needs. Extensive 

studies, including modeling, on the Chino Creek Wellfield were conducted to 

determine the potential to withdraw additional water and the pumping needed 

to create hydraulic control in the basin. The next step was to evaluate the 

potential to expand treatment capacity at the Chino II Desalter. A predesign 

report (January 2008) served as the basis for design of expanding the Chino 

II Desalter from 10 MGD to 20.5 MGD. Thereafter, a Preliminary Design 

Report for the overall Phase 3 Expansion was prepared (December 2010). 

This preliminary design report lays out the major elements of the expansion: 

raw water pumping and distribution, treatment, brine disposal, and product 

water distribution. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 9 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Task 3 – Final Design 

Final design has occurred as separate plans and specifications for the various 

elements of the Phase 3 Expansion. Final design is complete for all major 

elements of the Chino Phase 3 Expansion except for the wells and raw water 

pipelines associated with the element “Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw 

Water Pipelines”. 

Task 4 – Permitting 

The necessary permits have been acquired for all completed elements. For 

those elements not yet completed, the various permits needed, and their 

status is provided in Table 2 (provided as part of section 1.3.2 of this 

application). 

Task 5 – Construction Contracting 

With the exception of the element “Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water 

Pipelines”1

, construction contracting has been completed for the Chino 

Desalter Phase 3 Expansion. After final design, the Phase 3 elements are 

advertised for bidding through standard procedures. The CDA pre-qualified 

construction contractors using procedures consistent with the Public Contract 

Code. Pre-bid meetings are held to take questions from contractors, open 

and review bids for completeness, and award the Project to the responsible 

bidder with the lowest bid in accordance with the Public Contract Code. 

Task 6 – Construction 

As shown in Table 1, construction has been completed for many elements of 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion. With the exception of the element 

“Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water Pipelines”, construction has 

started for all components of the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion. 

Completion of construction for the entire Phase 3 Expansion is expected by 

July 2019. 

Task 7 – Administration and Reporting 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion is being built by member agencies of 

the CDA. Design and other decisions will be coordinated with all CDA 

members. During construction, CDA member staff and/or qualified 

engineering consultants will provide construction management and 

administration, including daily on-site observation; inspection of materials 

used for construction, including soils and concrete; and documentation of 

these activities. 

IEUA will provide project administration, including administration of grants, 

compliance and grant-related reporting. 

1

 This element was formerly called “6000 gpm Additional Pumping Capacity Chino Basin and Raw 

Water Pipelines” 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 10 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
See Figure 3 for a Project schedule. 

1.3 Evaluation Criteria 

Brief narratives describing how the proposed project meets grant criteria are 

provided in the following subsections. The evaluation criteria, as described in the 

Funding Opportunity Announcement, are presented first in italics, followed by 

specific information on the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project as well as the 

facilities proposed for funding by this grant application. 

1.3.1 Water Supply 

Subcriterion No. 1a. Stretching Water Supplies. Points will be awarded based on 

the extent to which the project is expected to secure and stretch water supplies. 

Consideration will be given to 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 and otherwise reduce water diversions. 

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

upon completion of the Title XVI Project? Please use the total Title XVI 

Project water savings, not just projected water savings for the Project 

Activities that will be completed by September 30, 2018. 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project will make an additional 

10,600 acre-feet (AF) product water available each year. 

2. Will the Title XVI Project reduce, postpone, or eliminate the development of 

new or expanded non-recycled water supplies? 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project itself is the development 

of a desalinated water supply. By making an additional 10,600 AF product 

water available each year, dependence on other non-recycled water 

supplies will be reduced. 

3. How significantly will the demand on existing Federal water supplies be 

reduced? List the expected reduction to Federal water supply demand (in 

acre-feet) and the amount of water currently supplied directly or indirectly by a 

Federal facility to the project sponsor. Provide calculations. 

The next available increment of water available to the agencies in the 

Chino Basin is imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of 

Southern California. In the San Bernardino and Riverside area, imported 

water is approximately 20 percent from the Federal Colorado River Project 

and the remainder from the California State Water Project (also a federal 

project). Therefore, it is estimated that the 10,600 AFY produced by the 

Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion will offset demand on a Federal water 

system. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 11 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
4.	 How will the project reduce diversions from natural watercourses or 

withdrawals from aquifers? Responses should be specific (including number 

of acre-feet) and should include the percentage by which diversions or 

withdrawals will be reduced. 

The Project is part of a planned, coordinated, and necessary extraction of 

water from the Chino Basin. Extraction of contaminated groundwater from 

the Chino Basin is necessary to protect the quality of the Santa Ana River 

by intercepting contaminated groundwater for reuse before it enters the 

river system. Contamination of the River by poor quality Chino 

groundwater could limit the beneficial use of the Santa Ana River water. 

Colorado River water diversions equal about 20 percent of the total water 

supply for the region. As such, enhancing the ability to utilize this 

groundwater will reduce the demand for diversion of Colorado River water 

by 2,120 AFY, which is 20 percent of the total 10,600 AFY produced by 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion. 

5. What performance measures will be used to quantify actual benefits upon 

completion of the Title XVI Project? 

Anticipated benefits and the measures to quantify the actual benefits are: 

Improve groundwater quality in  Benefit measured by TDS

Chino Basin	 and nitrate levels in raw 

groundwater compared to 

metered potable water 

deliveries from desalters 

Deliver 10,600 AFY of  Metered potable water 

additional local supplies deliveries from Chino I and II 

Desalters 

Increased treatment Ratio of raw water input to 

efficiencies  product water output 

 Change in amount of brine

discharged to SARI 

Protect downstream water  Groundwater level monitoring 

quality in Santa Ana River within the Chino Groundwater 

Basin 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 12 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subcriterion No.1b. Contributions to Water Supply Sustainability. Points will be 

awarded for Title XVI Projects that contribute to a more sustainable water supply. 

1. Will the Title XVI Project make water available to address a specific concern 

(e.g., water supply shortages due to climate variability and/or heightened 

competition for limited water supplies)? Consider the number of acre-feet of 

water to be made available. Explain the specific concern and its severity. Also 

explain the role of the Title XVI Project in addressing that concern and the 

extent to which the Project will address it. 

The Project both enables delivery of a drought-proof water supply from 

local groundwater and by removing salt from the basin enables expanded 

use of another drought-proof local source, recycled water. 

The areas overlying the Chino Basin obtain water from various sources; 

including Chino Basin Groundwater, recycled water, and State 

Water Project. Recipients outside the Basin who will receive project 

water, receive water from the Colorado River. With the recent 

stringent regulations and heightened competition for supplies of 

State and Colorado River waters, alternative sources have been 

examined. The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion, with the 

construction of the proposed project components, is being pursued 

because it is the most feasible and drought-resistant 

alternative. By increasing desalting capacity in the Chino Basin 

and building the necessary product water facilities to distribute this 

water, local water supplies will be enhanced and preserved and the 

effective use of the Chino I and II desalters, as an important local salt 

management tool, will be preserved and expanded. 

Importantly, the Project enhances salt removal, which is necessary,

in order to expand the use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. On February 

3, 2009, the SWRCB adopted the Recycled Water Policy (Resolution 

No. 2009-0011). It is the intent of the policy that salts and nutrients 

from all sources be managed in a manner that ensures attainment of 

water quality objectives and protection of beneficial uses. Because 

recycled water introduces salts to the watershed, its use is regulated 

by the Recycled Water Policy. Without salt removal, the State could 

limit future use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

2. Will water made available by this Title XVI Project continue to be available 

during periods of drought? To what extent is the water made available by this 

Title XVI Project more drought resistant than alternative water supply 

options? Explain. 

The Chino Basin is an adjudicated basin, meaning the water rights to the 

basin have been defined and allocated, the amount of water that can be 

pumped has been defined by the court, and there is a formalized system 

to account for pumping and recharge with the intent of protecting and 

enhancing the safe yield of the basin. The adjudication put in place a set 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 13 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

of operating rules meant to protect both groundwater levels and 

groundwater quality. Because the Chino Basin is an adjudicated basin, 

water available from the Project will continue to be available during 

periods of drought. 

Alternative water sources include imported State Water Project water and 

Colorado River Project water. In recent years, these sources have 

become increasingly less reliable. The Colorado River recently 

experienced an 11 year drought. The California Department of Water 

Resources recently completed a study (State Water Project Delivery 

Capability Report 2015) suggesting that long-term deliveries of State 

Water Project will be no more than 60 percent of full allocation; and in a 

very dry year deliveries may be no more than 8 percent of full allocation2

. 

As previously discussed, compared to the alternative water sources, the 

Project removes salts from the basin and makes it possible to use 

additional recycled water (via direct delivery or groundwater recharge). 

1.3.2 Status of Project 

Subcriterion No. 2a. Progress Toward Completion of an Authorized Title XVI 

Project. Points will be awarded for Project Activities that will bring a Title XVI project 

to completion (i.e., to full Federal funding levels) or close to completion. 

1. How much Federal funding has been provided for the Title XVI project to date? 

A total of $20,751,095 has been provided to the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination and Reclamation Project from the US Bureau of 

Reclamation. $1,551,095 has been provided per Assistance Agreement 

R11AC35306; $4,000,000 as part of Assistance Agreement R12AC35339; 

$3,000,000 as part of Assistance Agreement R14AC00049, and 

$12,200,000 from Agreement R15AC00059. 

2. How much Federal funding is necessary to fully satisfy the authorized Federal 

cost-share? 

Federal participation was authorized at 25 percent of project costs, up to 

$26,000,000. Estimated cost for the overall program is $141,689,662 

(year 2016 dollars); making the federal share approximately $35,422,415 

(though based on the authorization the federal share is capped at 

$26,000,000). To date $20,751,095 in federal funding has been awarded, 

with $5,248,905 in federal share remaining. 

2

 California Department of Water Resources. 2015. The State Water Project Delivery Capability 

Report. July. Table C.18. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 14 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
3. Will the funding requested under this FOA satisfy the Federal cost share? 

Funding requested under this FOA, if all $5,248,905 is awarded, will 

satisfy the Federal cost share of $26,000,000 authorized for this project. 

Subcriterion No. 2b. Readiness to Proceed. Points will be awarded based on the 

extent to which Project Activities that will be completed with the requested funding 

are ready to proceed. 

Where funding is being requested for design, the following will be considered: 

1-2. Has the staff/contractor that will do the planning or design work been 

identified? If a contractor will be used, but has not been hired yet, when will 

the contracting process begin? 

With the exception of the element “Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw 

Water Pipelines”3, design has been completed for the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion. A consultant for the design of well drilling and well 

equipping has been selected. A consultant has been selected to perform 

the alignment study related to the raw water pipelines. A consultant for 

final design of the raw water pipelines will be selected through a 

competitive process planned to start January 2017. 

3. When will the planning or design work begin? 

With the exception of the element “Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw 

Water Pipelines”, design has been completed for the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion. Design for the element “Groundwater Supply Wells 

and Raw Water Pipeline” began on April 1, 2016. Activities have included 

confirming well location, preparing the well conceptual site layout and 

performing a sanitary survey, and preparing an alignment study for the 

raw water pipelines. Equipping design for the production well included in 

this element cannot be completed until the well site location is finalized 

and the well has been drilled and its production is established. Design 

work for well equipping is anticipated to begin in January 2017. 

3

 This element was formerly called “6000 gpm Additional Pumping Capacity Chino Basin and Raw 

Water Pipelines” 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 15 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Where funding is being requested for construction, the following will be considered: 

1-2. What is the status of necessary environmental compliance measures? 

When is environmental compliance expected to be complete? Provide a 

detailed schedule of all environmental compliance activities and a schedule 

that indicates when construction is expected to begin. 

Environmental impacts of the Phase 3 Expansion Project have been 

evaluated extensively, including 

	 Chino Basin OBMP Program Environmental Impact Report (June 

2001) 

	 Chino I Desalter Expansion and Chino II Desalter Project Draft 

Environmental Impact Report (November 2001) 

	 Chino I Desalter Expansion and Chino II Desalter Project Draft 

Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (November 2001) 

	 Chino I Desalter Expansion and Chino II Desalter Project Final 

Environmental Impact Report (January 2002) 

	 Chino II Desalter Expansion Notice of Exemption (February 2008) 

	 Inland Empire Utilities Agency Peace II Project Final Subsequent 

Environmental Impact Report (September 2010) 

	 Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Initial Study/Mitigated Negative 

Declaration (January 2011) 

	 Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion FONSI (September 2011) 

	 Addendum to the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Initial 

Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Addition of an Expanded 

TCE Treatment Program (June 2015). IEUA together with the Cities of 

Ontario and Upland requested a modification to the Phase 3 

Expansion Project so that pumping to treat salinity and nitrates could 

also be used to address and remediate groundwater that is 

contaminated by Trichloroethylene (TCE). For the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion project this has meant a new site for a planned 

Expansion Project well, and modifying some raw water pipeline from 

the original design. The CDA Board found that the Phase 3 Expansion 

Project, as modified, (i) will not have any significant effects not 

discussed in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration; (ii) will 

not result in substantially more severe effects on the environment; (iii) 

no mitigation measures or alternatives previously found infeasible are 

now feasible; or (iv) no mitigation measure different than those 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 16 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
analyzed in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration would 

substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the 

environment. The Addendum was prepared pursuant to the State 

CEQA Guidelines, 14 CCR §15164, to identify minor technical changes 

to the project that do not require preparation of a subsequent 

Environmental Impact Report. The CEQA re-evaluation criteria at 14 

CCR 15162(a) are functionally identical to Federal Council on 

Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA at 40 

CFR 1502.9(c). Therefore it was not necessary to perform any new 

NEPA analyses. 

See Figure 3 for a Project schedule; a summary of the schedule for 

environmental compliance activities is provided below: 

Discharge Authorization and Monitoring Complete (May 2009) 

Reporting Program (NPDES) Permit 

CEQA documentation, Initial Complete (January 2011) 

Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for 

Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

NEPA compliance for the project Complete (Sept 2011) 

described in the Initial Study/Mitigated 

Negative Declaration for Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion - FONSI 

CEQA documentation, Addendum to the Complete (June 2015) 

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative 

Declaration for the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion for the Addition of 

an Expanded TCE Treatment Program 

3. What is the status of required State and Federal permits for the Project 

Activities? When are all required permits expected to be obtained? 

Table 2 documents the permits needed for each element of the Phase 3 

Expansion. The outstanding permits include well drilling permits and 

encroachment permits, and domestic water supply permits. 

	 Well Drilling Permits – well drilling permits from San Bernardino and 

Riverside County are needed for the element “Groundwater Supply 

Wells and Raw Water Pipelines.” These permits will be acquired by 

the selected contractor prior to starting construction. It is anticipated 

that the final needed well drilling permits will be obtained by 

October 2017. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 17 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Figure 3. Grant Project Schedule

ID Task Name Start Finish 2017 2018 

Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 

1 Completed Activities

2 Comprehensive Preliminary Design Report

(completed Dec 2010)

3 Chino II Desalter Expansion (completed Oct

2010)

4 California Environmental Quality Act5 Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management

Plan EIR (completed Jun 2001)

6 Chino I Desalter Expansion and Chino II

Desalter EIR (completed Jan 2002)

7 Chino II Desalter Expansion Notice of

Exemption (completed Feb 2008)

8 Peace II Project Final Subsequent EIR (Sept

2010)

9 Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion IS/MND

(completed Jan 2011)

10 Addendum to the Chino Desalter Phase 3

Expansion IS/MND (completed Jun 2015)

11 National Environmental Policy Act (FONSI)

(completed Sept 2011)

12 Permitting13 Discharge Authorization/NPDES Permit

(completed May 2009)

14 Well Drilling Permit 19 and 19A (completed

Nov 2014)

15 Encroachment Permits Chino I/II Intertie

Pipeline (completed Oct 2015)

16 Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek Wells 16, 17

and 18 (completed Mar 2014)

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project December 2016 

Summary Project Summary 

Manual Task 

Page 17
ID Task Name Start Finish 

17 Raw Water Pipeline Chino Creek Wellfield to

Chino I (completed Mar 2014)

18 Milliken Pump Station (completed May 2015)19 1110 Pump Station Expansion (completed May

2016)

20 1010 Pump Station (completed May 2016)21 Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek Wells 20 and

21 (completed Jan 2016)

22 Product Water Transmission Pipeline

(completed Sept 2016)

23 Activities Finishing December 2016 10/21/11 12/31/1624 Drilling 19, Drilling and Equipping Chino

Creek Well 19A

10/21/11 12/31/16

25 Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility 9/18/13 12/31/1626 Effective Date of Grant Agreement 8/1/17 9/30/1927 Ongoing Tasks 10/26/15 9/30/1928 Chino I/Chino II Intertie 10/26/15 3/20/1729 Design (complete)30 Construction Contracting (complete)31 Permitting (complete)32 Construction 10/26/15 2/9/17

Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 

2017 2018 

Summary Project Summary 

Manual Task 

Figure 3. Grant Project Schedule

Page 18

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project December 2016 
33 

34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 

Figure 3. Grant Project Schedule

ID Task Name 

Startup

Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water 8/8/16 7/10/19

Pipelines

Design ‐ Well Drilling 8/8/16 7/21/17

Design ‐ Well EquippingDesign ‐ Raw Water PipelinesConstruction Contracting ‐ Well Drilling

Construction Contracting ‐ Well EquippingConstruction Contracting ‐ Raw WaterPipelinesPermitting (well drilling, encroachment)Construction ‐ Well Drilling

Construction ‐ Well Equipping

Construction ‐ Raw Water Pipelines

StartupDomestic Water Supply Permit Amendment

Administration and Reporting

Start 

2/10/171/9/179/14/167/24/173/19/1812/19/171/12/1710/30/177/2/183/26/184/5/195/27/198/1/16

Finish 

3/20/173/16/1812/18/1710/27/176/29/183/23/183/26/183/30/184/5/1911/9/186/5/197/10/199/30/19

2017 2018 

Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project Summary Manual TaskDecember 2016 Project Summary 

Page 19

47 
   

           

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

   

     

     

     

     

         

         

   

   

Table 2. Permitting for the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

Project

Element Permit Permit Agency Status Drilling Well 19, Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek We;; 19A

Well Drilling Permit San Bernardino County

Department of Public

Health

Obtained

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino I Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once wells completed.

Anticipated Dec 2016.

Brine Concentrate

Reduction Facilities

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino II Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once facility operable.

Anticipated December

2016.

Chino I/Chino II Intertie

Pipeline and Flow Control

Facility

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Encroachment Permit City of Eastvale Obtained

Encroachment Permit City of Ontario Obtained

Encroachment Permit County of San

Bernardino Flood

Control District

Obtained

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 21 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
           

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

         

   

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

     

   

Table 2 cont. 

Project

Element Permit Permit Agency Status Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water Pipelines

Well Drilling Permits San Bernardino County

Department of Public

Health and Riverside

County Department of

Public Health

Successful bidder will

obtain permits before

construction.

Anticipated Nov 2017.

Encroachment Permits California Dept. of

Transportation, County

of San Bernardino

Flood Control District,

County of San

Bernardino, County of

Riverside, City of

Ontario

Successful bidder will

obtain permits before

construction.

Anticipated March

2018.

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino II Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once wells are

completed.

Anticipated July 2019.

	 Encroachment Permits – these permits will be needed from the 

California Department of Transportation, the County of San 

Bernardino Flood Control District, County of San Bernardino, the 

County of Riverside, and the City of Ontario for the element 

“Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water Pipelines.” These 

permits will be acquired by the selected contractor prior to starting 

construction. It is anticipated that the final needed encroachment 

permits will be obtained by March 2018. 

	 Domestic Water Supply Permit Amendment – anytime a water 

supplier makes modifications to its drinking water system, before 

those modifications (i.e., new raw water sources, new treatment 

elements) can be placed into service the water supplier must 

coordinate with the State Water Resources Control Board Division 

of Drinking water to amend their water supply permit. CDA cannot 

apply for the permit modifications until construction on a given 

element is complete. It is anticipated that the final Domestic Water 

Supply Permit Amendment be concluded by July 2019. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 22 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
All the required permits are from State and local agencies; no federal 

permits are required for the Project. 

1.3.3 Environment and Water Quality 

Criterion 3. Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the project will 

improve surface, groundwater, or effluent discharge quality; will restore or enhance 

habitat for non-listed species or will provide water or critical habitat for Federallylisted threatened or endangered species. 

1. Will the Title XVI Project improve the quality of surface or groundwater? To 

what extent will the project improve effluent quality beyond levels necessary 

to meet State or Federal discharge requirements? 

The Project will directly improve the quality of groundwater in the Chino 

Basin and surface water of the region. 

Groundwater in the Lower Chino Dairy Area is heavily degraded with 

nitrate and salts from a century-long legacy of irrigated agriculture and 

dairy farming. Nitrate concentrations have historically ranged from 

10milligrams per liter (mg/L) as nitrogen to as high as 100 mg/L, and TDS 

concentrations have ranged from 600 mg/L to as high as 3,000 mg/L 

(IEUA 2006). 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion will improve both the quality of 

groundwater in the Basin and surface water of the region. The Project will 

improve the local groundwater quality by removing salts, nitrates and 

volatile organic compounds from the Chino Basin. In turn, this will 

significantly reduce the flow of degraded water into the Santa Ana River, 

thereby protecting downstream water supplies and ecosystems. 

To reach the additional product water capacity of 10,600 AFY projected for 

the Chino Desalter expansion, an additional 12,040 AF of groundwater (or 

raw water) will be pumped annually. Treatment of this additional water at 

the Chino II Desalter will result in an estimated 14,400 tons of annual salt 

removal from the Chino Basin through the SARI line. This is based on the 

following: 

	 The RO process at the desalters is expected to remove nearly all 

the salt contained in the pumped groundwater (about 1,100 

milligrams per liter or 1,356 kilograms per AF) (IEUA 2011). No 

more than twenty percent of raw water bypasses the RO treatment 

train. Assuming 80 percent of raw water (12,040 AF) taken from 

the Chino North Management Zone is treated by RO, the Chino 

Phase 3 Expansion Project will result in treatment of approximately 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 23 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
9,630 AFY4

. This translates into approximately 13,058,280 

kilograms (9,630 AF x 1,356 kilograms per AF), or about 

28,788,580 pounds or 14,400 tons of salt being removed annually. 

Additional groundwater pumping from the Chino North Management Zone 

will reduce degraded groundwater flow to the Santa Ana River. As 

described earlier, a key strategy of the Chino OBMP and the RWQCB 

Basin Plan is hydraulic control of the southern end of the Chino Basin 

which is adjacent to the Santa Ana River. Historically, agricultural users 

overlying the southern end of the Chino Basin have extracted and used 

this groundwater; but as the area converts to urban uses it’s estimated 

that as much as 40,000 AFY of degraded Chino Basin groundwater could 

enter the Santa Ana River (IEUA, 2006). The Santa Ana River is the 

primary source of recharge for all of Orange County. Contamination of the 

river by poor quality Chino groundwater could limit the beneficial use of 

river water. 

In addition, the project will be conducted in a manner so as to facilitate 

cleanup of a trichloroethylene (TCE) plume in the Chino Groundwater 

Basin south of the Ontario International Airport. In June 2013, the 

CDA entered into a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with parties 

pursuing cleanup of the South Archibald TCE plume. Brackish water 

treatment is the purpose of the project but with the MOU and 

collaboration with the other parties, the project will be 

implemented to promote broad groundwater remediation. It is 

anticipated that 95 percent of the TCE from the influent can be removed 

by the Chino Basin Desalters. Product water from the Chino II Desalter is 

forecast to be significantly less than the MCL of 5 micrograms per liter, 

the current drinking water standard. Costs specific to TCE treatment 

will be borne by the parties seeking TCE plume clean up and are not 

included in the project budget described in this grant application. 

2. Will the Title XVI project improve flow conditions in a natural stream channel? 

Will the project restore or enhance habitat for nonlisted species? If so, how? 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project will protect water quality of 

the Santa Ana River and enhance riparian habitat conditions. Downstream 

of the Chino Basin lies the Prado Basin, the largest wetland and riparian 

habitat in Southern California. The Prado Basin contains approximately 

465 acres of constructed wetlands as well as large areas of mature 

riparian habitat, naturally occurring wetlands, and deepwater habitats, 

providing home to numerous terrestrial and aquatic animal and plant 

species. By capturing and treating low-quality flows, the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion will reduce the discharge of poor quality water to the 

4

 With bypass water added to the treated water, total supply made available from the Phase 3 

Expansion will meet or exceed 10,600 AFY. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 24 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

 

River, thus helping to protect the Prado Basin and the various species of 

the River and the reservoir downstream. 

In addition to the local protection efforts and improvements, any addition 

to local, in-Basin water supplies, such as the 10,600 AFY provided by the 

Phase 3 Expansion, can help to replace demand for water from the 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumped through the State Water Project 

and the Colorado River, which could lead to improved habitat conditions 

for non-listed species in the Delta and Lake Mead. Further, 

because the Project will reduce imports from the State Water Project 

and the Colorado River, it also in turn will affect the Federal Water 

Projects such as the Central Valley Project (CVP), the Delta Project and 

CALFED. These are Federal projects overseen by the USBR or as in 

the case of CALFED, some CVP facilities (i.e., the San Luis Unit) that 

were developed in coordination with the California State Water 

Project. The improved habitat conditions therefore will also benefit in a 

positive way the Central Valley Project/Delta Division Project and 

Colorado River/Lake Mead Project. 

As already mentioned in Criterion 3 Question 1 above, the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion will improve both the quality of groundwater in the 

Basin and surface water downstream from the Basin. The Project will 

improve the local groundwater quality by removing salts, nitrates and 

volatile organic compounds from the Chino Basin. In turn, this will 

significantly reduce the flow of degraded water into the Santa Ana River, 

thereby protecting downstream water supplies and ecosystems. 

3. Will the Title XVI Project provide water or habitat for federally listed threatened 

or endangered species? If so, how? 

As already mentioned in Criterion 3 Question 1 above, the proposed 

Project will reduce the potential for degradation of water quality in the 

Santa Ana River and protect riparian habitat, including helping to maintain 

necessary stream flows. The Santa Ana River is home to the arroyo chub 

(Gila orcutti) and Santa Ana speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus ssp.) 

both of which are fish federally-listed as “species of special concern”. The 

Santa Ana River is also home to the Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus 

santaanae) a species considered threatened under the Endangered 

Species Act (ESA). In addition, the Prado Basin has acres of habitat for 

the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern 

Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). Lessoning the degraded 

water that flows through the wetlands will allow the habitat to flourish, 

which in turn will have a beneficial impact on the Least Bells Vireo and 

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Lake Mead is home to the 

razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) which is considered 

endangered Also, any addition to in-Basin water supplies, such as 

the 10,600 AFY provided by the Phase 3 Expansion, can help to 

replace demand for water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 25 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
pumped through the State Water Project and the Colorado River Project, 

which could lead to improved habitat conditions for ESA-listed species in 

the Delta and Lake Mead. 

1.3.4 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 

Criterion 4. Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the Title XVI 

Project incorporates the use of renewable energy and/or addresses energy 

efficiency: 

1. Will the Title XVI project include installing low-impact hydroelectric, solarelectric, wind energy, or geothermal power systems or other facilities that 

enable use of these or other renewable energy sources to provide power to 

components of the Project? Are any energy recovery devices or processes 

included in the Project? Provide the amount of energy expected to be 

generated through renewable energy sources (in kilowatt-hours). What 

percentage of the Title XVI Project’s total energy consumption will be 

provided by installing renewable energy components? 

The Chino I and Chino II Desalters participate in the Southern California 

Edison Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program. Under this program, the 

CDA teams with the local energy provider to regularly test the efficiency of 

various equipment required for a desalter (e.g., clear well pumps, booster 

pumps). Poor performing equipment is targeted for refurbishment or 

replacement. This has the effect of reducing overall energy use and 

decreasing peak energy use. The proposed Project will enhance and 

expand operations of the Chino II Desalter and is a good example of the 

CDA’s efforts to improve energy and operational efficiency. The Chino II 

Desalter has several energy efficiency features: 

(1) Reduced energy related to imported water supplies 

(2) Reduced energy needed for groundwater production (more 

recovery of water at same rate of groundwater pumping) 

(3) Reduced energy related to brine disposal and treatment 

The Chino II Desalter is one of the few desalters that utilizes a 

combination of treatment processes. The express intent of the different 

treatment processes is to use low energy treatment processes when 

feasible thereby limiting the use of high energy treatment processes. The 

Chino II Desalter, which began operation in 2006, uses both RO and ion 

exchange (IX) processes to treat groundwater. The IX system has very 

low energy demands 

The Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility element of the Phase 3 

Expansion Project is a concentrate treatment and recovery system. The 

Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility includes processes to increase RO 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 26 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

efficiency and boosts product water recoveries from approximately 80% to 

up to 95%. This increase in water recovery means product water at the 

Chino II desalter will increase by an additional 2.2 MGD for a total of 

22.7 MGD with the same amount of raw water pumping. 

The Brine Concentrate Facility also includes energy recovery facilities. 

The brine enters the Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility at high 

pressure, an energy recovery system (two turbines) upstream of the pellet 

reactor recovers excess energy. This allows the facility to minimize 

electrical use. 

It is expected that with brine concentrate reduction, brine disposal to the 

SARI and brine treatment at Orange County Sanitation District Plant #2 

will be decreased by 2,200 AFY. It is estimated that the Brine Concentrate 

Reduction Facility utilizes 440 kilowatt-hours per AF (kWh/AF) treated. On 

average, wastewater treatment in California takes 500 to 1,500 kWh/AF 

(The Water Energy Nexus. Southwest Hydrology October/November 

2007). So each AF recovered by the Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility 

saves 60 kWh (500 kWh for wastewater treatment less 440 kWh for brine 

concentrate reduction). Therefore, a reduction in necessary brine 

treatment by 2,200 AFY would reduce net energy use by 132,000 kWh 

each year. 

2. If the Title XVI Project does not itself include renewable energy, will the Title 

XVI Project facilitate power generation in the water delivery system by making 

more water available? If so, explain the relationship between this Title XVI 

Project and any potential renewable energy improvements in the water 

delivery system. 

The Title XVI Project will enhance local water supplies available in the 

potable water system from the Chino II Desalter. However, at this time no 

improvements related to renewable energy generation are proposed for 

the water delivery system. 

3.	 Will completion of the Title XVI Project lead to a reduction in energy 

consumption as compared to current water supply options? Provide 

calculations and describe assumptions and methodology. 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project will provide 10,600 AFY in 

additional local water supply, in-lieu of the import of State Water Project 

water (State Water) and Colorado River water (Federal Water). It is 

estimated that State Water delivered to the East Branch Extension 

requires 3,250 kWh/AF. For the purposes of this calculation, it is assumed 

that each AF of avoided water import is equal to 3,250 kWh/AF saved 

(data for energy used by the Colorado River Project is not available). 

Based on a Southern California Edison efficiency test, energy 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 27 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

consumption at the Chino Desalter facilities is approximately 1,700 

kWh/AF, including operation of wells, treatment and pumping. Given that 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion will generate 10,600 AFY, this is a 

net annual reduction of over 16.4 million kWh ([3,250 kWh/AF – 1,700 

kWh/AF] x 10,600 AFY) over using imported water. 

Assuming 5.8883E-04 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide is equivalent 

to one kWh, the Project offsets 4,866 metric tons of carbon dioxide 

annually (16.4 million kWh x 5.8883E-04), thereby eliminating greenhouse 

gas emissions by sources dominated by non-renewable energy (IEUA, 

2011). 

Further, as mentioned above, the proposed Brine Concentrate Reduction 

Project will lead to reductions in energy consumption attributed to reduced 

brine disposal and treatment. 

4.	 Will the Title XVI Project include any innovative components to reduce energy 

consumption or to recover energy? 

Please see response in Item 2 above. 

5. How does the Title XVI Project’s energy consumption compare to other water 

supply options that would satisfy the same demand as the Project? 

Please see response in Item 3 above. 

1.3.5 Cost per Acre-Foot of Water and Other Project Benefits 

Criterion 5. Points will be awarded based on the cost per acre-foot of water 

expected to be delivered upon completion of the Title XVI Project and other benefits 

of the project. Please use costs related to the entire Title XVI Project, not just the 

cost of work through September 30, 2018. 

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

XVI 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 Title XVI Project 

(include all previous and planned work). 

As shown in Table 3 below, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

construction costs are anticipated to be $133,209,771. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 28 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
       

Table 3 – Construction Costs by Year 

Calendar Year Construction Costs

2009 $15,013,273

2010 $0

2011 $761,780

2012 $2,378,241

2013 $8,203,989

2014 $43,953,652

2015 $31,865,070

2016 $15,586,109

2017 $989,338

2018 $3,614,580

2019 $10,843,739

Total $133,209,771

(b) The total estimated or actual costs to plan and design the Title XVI Project 

(note: this should include the cost to complete a Title XVI feasibility study). 

Total estimated costs for planning and design, environmental 

documentation, and pilot studies, including preparation of the Title XVI 

Feasibility Study are: $8,224,568 (this excludes administrative and legal 

costs, land costs, and equipment costs). 

(c) The average annual operation and maintenance costs for the life of the Title 

XVI Project (note: this is an annual not total cost). 

Operation and maintenance costs are estimated to be approximately 

$3,451,000 per year. 

(d) The year the Title XVI Project will begin to deliver recycled water. 

Treated brackish groundwater from Chino I and II desalters is already 

being delivered; in 2015 deliveries were approximately 25,629 AF. Full 

water deliveries, including the additional 10,600 AFY from the facilities 

funded by the proposed grant Project, are anticipated by August 2019. 

(e) The projected life (in years) that the Title XVI Project is expected to last (note: 

this should be measured from the time the project starts delivering water). 

A useful life of 50 years can be assumed for this Project, which based on 

a start year of 2019, results in a projected life until 2069. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 29 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
         

         

     

   

 

(f) All estimated replacement costs, by year. 

Table 4 – Annual Replacement Costs 

Year Cost

RO membrane replacement Chino I 2019 ‐ 2069 $30,000

RO membrane replacement Chino II 2019 ‐ 2069 $78,000

Resin replacement Chino II 2019 ‐ 2069 $50,000

Other/Capital Replacement/Emergency Reserve 201 ‐ 2069 $45,165

Total $203,165

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

completion of the Title XVI Project. 

The Phase 3 Expansion Project will enable production and delivery of 

10,600 AFY. 

2.	 Comparison of the cost per acre-foot of the Title XVI Project to the cost per 

acre-foot of one alternative (i.e., nonrecycled water option) that would satisfy 

the same demand as the proposed project. Provide the cost per acre-foot for 

one nonrecycled water alternative that would satisfy the same demand. 

In April 2012, the CDA performed an updated financial analysis of 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion. That analysis estimated the 

resulting unit cost for water from the program to be $551/AF. The 

alternative water source available to the Project region is imported 

water from the Metropolitan Water District. Effective January 2017, 

the cost of treated imported water from the Metropolitan Water District 

is $1,073 per AF (Tier 2 rate for new supply). 

3. Some Title XVI project benefits may be difficult to quantify. Describe any 

economic benefits of the project that are not captured by the cost per acrefoot analysis, or that are difficult to quantify. 

The Project has many benefits which are difficult to quantify: 

•	 Protection of Santa Ana River and Colorado River/Lake Mead 

quality and riparian habitat, including protection of the water supply 

and ecological resources. 

•	 Improved water supply reliability. The reliability of water supply 

refers to the ability to meet water demands on a consistent basis, 

even in times of drought or other constraints on source water 

availability. 

•	 Enhanced ability to manage salts in the basin which will allow 

continued and even expanded use of local recycled water supplies. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 30 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

	 Reduced fouling, and hence reduced maintenance, of the SARI 

pipeline due to removal of 38 tons calcium carbonate and silica a 

day through the brine concentrate facility 

	 Stabilization of water supply cost to Chino Basin users by 

producing water locally rather than importing supplies. 

	 Reduction of the unit cost of water by spreading fixed costs over a 

large production volume. 

	 Reduction in the demand for imported water, thereby reducing 

annual and seasonal peak demands on the Sacramento-San 

Joaquin Delta and the Colorado River, leading to improvements in 

habitat conditions. 

1.3.6	 Reclamation’s Obligations and Benefits to Rural or 

Economically Disadvantaged Communities 

Subcriterion No. 6a. Legal and Contractual Water Supply Obligations. Points will 

be awarded for projects that help to meet Reclamation’s legal and contractual 

obligations. 

1. Does the Title XVI Project help fulfill any of Reclamation’s legal or contractual 

obligations such as providing water for Indian tribes, water right settlements, 

river restoration, minimum flows, legal court orders, or other obligations? 

Explain. 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion is consistent with Reclamation’s 

policy to promote water reuse and reclamation so as to improve water 

supply reliability, improve efficiency, improve flexibility during water 

shortages, and to diversify water supply. The Project also assists 

Reclamation’s legal Endangered Species Act and contractual obligations 

in restoring the dual priorities of water supply reliability and ecosystem 

restoration in the Bay Delta by reducing the demand for imported water in 

our region of California. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 31 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Subcriterion No. 6b. Benefits to Rural or Economically Disadvantaged 

Communities. Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the project 

serves rural communities or economically disadvantaged communities in rural or 

urban areas. 

1. Does the Title XVI Project serve a rural or economically disadvantaged 

community? (A rural community is defined as a community with fewer than 

50,000 people.) 

The Project does not serve a rural-community; however, the Project does 

serve economically disadvantaged areas. 

2. Are any rural or economically disadvantaged communities within the Title XVI 

Project sponsor’s service area? 

Yes, as shown on Figure 4, disadvantaged communities (census block 

groups where median income is less than 80% of the Statewide median) 

make up approximately 28% of the area served by the proposed facilities. 

The City of Ontario leads the participating agencies with approximately 

39% of its service area considered disadvantaged. 

1.3.7 Watershed Perspective 

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, or forming a collaborative 

partnership with other entities. 

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. 

1. Does the Title XVI Project implement a regional or State water plan or an 

integrated resource management plan? Explain. 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion Project is a regional and 

coordinated effort to improve water supply and water management in the 

Chino Basin. In addition to major components being included in the “One 

Water One Watershed Integrated Regional Water Management Plan”, the 

proposed Project is a part of the Chino OBMP prepared by the Chino 

Basin Watermaster. The Watermaster is a consensus-based organization 

of 23 agencies to facilitate development and utilization of the Chino 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 32 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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\Ven3\projects\2011\1189051000102_ChinoDesalterPhase3ExpGrant\2015U W MP\F4Disadvantaged Communities in the LowerChinoDairyArea.mxd Path:\

Claremont

La Verne RanchoCucamonga U pland 

Fontana 

Montclair 

Pomona 

Bloomington 

Diamond Bar 

CITY OF CHINO W.S.A. 

Chino 

ChinoHills 

LosAngelesCounty CITY OF CHINO HILLS W.S.A. 

Ontario 

CITY OF ONTARIO W.S.A. Glen Avon 

S an BernardinoCounty

Riverside County 

Rubidoux

Mira Loma Pedley 

R

SANTA ANA

IVER WATER

JURUPA C.S.D. COMPANY 

Brea

Orange County 

Y orba Linda 

Anaheim 

City of Chino WSA CityofChinoW S A

Tota T l Popu l latl ota Popui

ation on = 70,505 =79,342

DAC Popu DACPopulatilation =8,427 on = 11,300

Percentage DAC = 16.0% Percentage DAC=10.6% 

Orange CCityofChinoHi ity of Chino Hills WSA llsW S A

Total Population = 52,089 T otal Population =75,551

DAC Population = 0 DACPopulation =1,612

Percentage DAC=2.1% Percentage DAC = 0.0% 

CityofOntarioW S A City of Ontario WSA

T otaTota l Popu l Popu at lation l ion = 155,785 =165,702

DACPopu DAC Population l i at on = 52,209 =64,539

PercP rcentage DAC = 33.5% eentage DAC=38.9% 

J urupa CS D

T otal Population =97,725

Jurupa CSD

Total Population = 83,839 DACPopulation =16,019 DAC Population = 11,634 Percentage DAC=16.3% Percentage DAC = 13.9% 

N orco

CITY OF NORCO W.S.A. 

Corona 

El Cerrito 

Santa Ana River Water Compan S anta Ana RiverW aterCompany

T otal Population =8,368 Total Population = 8,341

DACPopu DAC Popu lationlat=5,ion = 3,238 904

Percentag Perc ntage DAC = 38.8% ee DAC=70.5%

CityofN orcoW S A

T otal Population =27,079

City of Norco WSA

Total Population = 27,871 DACPopulation =0 DAC Population = 118 Percentage DAC=0.0% Percentage DAC = 0.0% 

Riverside 

Overall ChinoDesalterS ervice Ar Overall Chino Desalter Service Areeaa

T otaTota l Popul Popu at lationl i=451,767 on = 398,430

DACPopu DAC Population lation = 78,499 =124,792

Percentage DAC=27 Percentage DAC = 19.7.6%%

U ..S CensusBureau;2014AC 5yearEstimates S -

California Median Household Income (MHI)2013:$61,489 Kennedy/Jenks Consultants Disadvantaged Communties(DAC):MHI≤$49,191 ChinoBasin DesalterAuthority

Legend Riverside,California 

Areas S erved bythe ChinoDesalterPhase 3Expansion Disadvantaged Communities in the 

Disadvantaged Communities(2014Census T racts) 3 Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Disadvantaged Communities(2014CensusBlock Group) 0 15 . 3 KJ 1089053*02

ChinoGroundwaterBasin Miles N ovember2016

Figure 4 
Groundwater Basin. The proposed Project will be built by member 

agencies of the Chino Basin Desalter Authority. The CDA was created 

through a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA). The Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion Project is an example of regional partnerships 

resulting in basin-wide benefits. The Project will increase water supply 

available to multiple water agencies. The additional groundwater 

extraction helps to achieve hydraulic control of the Chino Basin and 

prevents low quality groundwater from entering the Santa Ana River, 

thereby benefitting agencies downstream of the Chino Basin. 

2. Does the Title XVI Project promote collaborative partnerships to address 

water-related issues? Explain. 

The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion is a regional project, supported by 

a group of agencies who have developed regional groundwater treatment 

facilities that benefit many areas. The Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

proposed Project will directly benefit many agencies in the region, 

including the City of Chino Hills, the City of Chino, Jurupa Community 

Services District (JCSD), Santa Ana River Water Company, the City of 

Norco, and the City of Ontario, as well as the Western Municipal Water 

District (WMWD) Service area. 

The Project is a result of multi-year collaboration between water 

purveyors, the Chino Basin Watermaster, and the Santa Ana RWQCB in 

response to on-going Basin salt management issues. The project will 

address: 

	 Salinity and nitrate issues in the Chino Groundwater Basin. The 

Chino Groundwater Basin is the principal water supply for 20 

municipal agencies and about 400 agricultural and dairy operations. 

	 “Spill” of degraded groundwater to the Santa Ana River and Prado 

Basin. Poor quality groundwater (salts, nitrogen, volatile organic 

compounds) from the southern end of the Chino Basin daylights 

and flows on the surface to the Santa Ana River. Without the 

Phase 3 Expansion Project this “spill” of degraded water will 

continue to affect the 350,000 AFY of Santa Ana River water used 

by OCWD. Without the project the degraded water will continue to 

adversely affect the Prado Basin, a significant freshwater wetland 

resource. 

	 Costs to water customers. All agencies utilizing the Chino I and 

Chino II desalters benefit from reduced unit costs of water as fixed 

costs are spread over a larger production volume. Additionally, as 

pumping costs are shared equally between all CDA members, the 

reduction in Chino II product water pumping costs resulting from 

implementation of the Phase 3 Expansion Project will benefit all 

members. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 34 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
	 Costs of groundwater protection and remediation. The Phase 3 

Expansion sponsors have coordinated with entities undertaking 

trichloroethylene cleanup in the Chino Basin. The various entities 

have identified a way whereby pumping to produce and treat 

brackish water can be done in a manner to remediate 

trichloroethylene. This coordination has involved moving one of the 

planned Phase 3 wells and equipping three wells with variable 

frequency drives so as to adjust well output for cleanup of the 

trichloroethylene plume. This collaboration avoids the time and cost 

of building separate and redundant water infrastructure. 

	 Potential limitations on recycled water. By removing salts the 

project benefits recycled water purveyors in the region by reducing 

salt load to the basin thereby allowing continued growth in recycled 

water use 

	 Regional supply reliability. By providing a reliable local supply the 

project reduces reliance on imported water supply and improves 

the region’s drought resiliency. By facilitating growth of recycled 

water as a supply the project further contributes to drought 

preparedness. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 35 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Section 2: Environmental and Cultural Resources 

Compliance 

To allow Reclamation to assess the probable environmental impacts and costs 

associated with each application, all applicants must respond to the following list of 

questions focusing on the requirements of the NEPA, ESA, and NHPA. Please 

answer the following questions to the best of your knowledge. If any question is not 

applicable to the project please explain why. 

1. Will the Project Activities impact the surrounding environment (i.e., soil [dust], 

air, water [quality and quantity], animal habitat, etc.)? 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. 

Applicable CEQA/NEPA Documentation 

The Phase 3 Expansion is a planned effort with a primary purpose to 

improve water quality in the Santa Ana River and the Chino Groundwater 

Basin. Extensive environmental evaluation has concluded that although 

certain project activities could have significant effects on the environment, 

impacts will be reduced to levels less than significant with implementation 

of mitigation measures. As described earlier, the Initial Study/Mitigated 

Negative Declaration for the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion was 

approved by CDA in January 2011. An Addendum to the Chino Desalter 

Phase 3 Expansion Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was 

prepared for the Addition of an Expanded TCE Treatment Program to the 

project (June 2015). 

Based on its review of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for 

the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion, Reclamation determined that the 

project did not constitute a major Federal action which would significantly 

affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 

102(2)(C) of NEPA. Reclamation completed a Finding of No Significance 

on September 28, 2011 (No. 11-SCAO-015-FONSI). The addition of the 

Expanded TCE Treatment Program was evaluated under CEQA (as 

described above). The CEQA re-evaluation criteria at 14 CCR 15162(a) 

are functionally identical to Federal Council on Environmental Quality 

(CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA at 40 CFR 1502.9(c). It was 

not necessary to do new NEPA analyses. The CEQA documents found, 

and Reclamation agreed in the FONSI, that the Phase 3 Expansion would 

have no impact or less than significant impacts associated with 

agriculture, land use and planning, mineral resources, population and 

housing, recreation and utilities and services. The issues of air quality, 

biology, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 36 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

materials, hydrology and water quality, noise, public services and 

transportation and traffic did require the implementation of mitigation 

measures to reduce impacts to a less than significant level. In the 

paragraphs below the referenced mitigation measures come from the 

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program of the Chino Desalter Phase 

3 Expansion Project Initial Study/MND, which was adopted by the Chino 

Basin Desalter Authority in December 2010. 

Potential Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures 

Air Quality. The South Coast Air Basin is a designated non-attainment 

area for ozone and dust5. The South Coast Air Basin is designated as an 

attainment area with a maintenance plan for carbon monoxide (CO) and 

nitrogen dioxide (NO2). However, air quality impacts from the Chino 

Phase 3 Expansion Project activities are overall not significant and will be 

minimized as necessary through mitigation measures. Water related 

infrastructure, such as that proposed requires very few vehicle trips for 

maintenance and operation, typically less than one trip per day per facility. 

The impact of increased pumping and water treatment activity on electrical 

usage would be very small relative to the overall electrical demand of the 

region served; and it will be less per acre-foot than importing water. 

Construction emissions include onsite generation of dust, off-gassing of 

paving materials and equipment exhaust, and offsite emissions from 

construction employee commuting and/or trucks delivering building 

materials. Mitigation measures, including watering during construction (to 

limit dust), staggering of project element construction, and limiting the 

amount of daily grading would ensure impacts related to air emissions are 

minor. 

Potential short-term air quality impacts attributable to the facilities 

proposed for funding are generally due to grading and facility construction 

activities. Construction activities for the Chino Phase 3 Expansion are to 

be restricted to the maximum “mix” of activities listed in Tables III-22 and 

III-23 of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program of the adopted 

Initial Study/MND. The construction “mix” ensures that the South Coast Air 

Quality Management District significant thresholds are not violated. 

The FONSI prepared by Reclamation stated, “Estimated air emissions will 

not exceed the Clean Air Act conformity applicability de minimis thresholds 

[40 CFR 93.153 (b)] and will not be regionally significant. No conformity 

determination is required.” 

Biology/Wetlands. Direct project impacts will occur on land that has been 

previously developed or disturbed by human activity for agricultural, 

residential, commercial or industrial uses. At three locations with limited 

5

 Specifically particulate matter less than 10 microns in size (PM10) and particulate matter less than 

2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 37 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
biological resource values, mitigation was identified to reduce impacts 

before construction begins. The Initial Study found no evidence that the 

project would affect wildlife resources. No significant indirect effect on 

riparian habitat in the Prado Basin (due to increased groundwater 

pumping) is expected. 

For potential impacts to sites where sensitive resources may occur, 

mitigation measures will be implemented as discussed within the 

biological section of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. 

These measures (Mitigation Measures IV-1 through IV-6) are as follows: 

	 Project impact areas will be evaluated by a qualified 

biologist prior to initiation of ground disturbance to 

demonstrate that no bird nests will be disturbed by 

project construction activities. 

	 Prior to commencement of construction activity in 

locations that are not fully developed, a clearance 

survey will be conducted by a qualified biologist to 

determine if any burrowing owl burrows are located 

within the potential area of impact. If occupied burrows 

may be impacted, an impact minimization plan shall be 

developed by the biologist that will protect the burrow in 

place or provide for relocation to an alternate burrow 

within the vicinity but outside of the Project footprint in 

accordance with current California Department of Fish 

and Wildlife (CDFW) guidelines. 

 Following construction activities within or adjacent to 

any natural area, the disturbed areas shall be 

revegetated using a plant mix of native plant species 

that are suitable for long term vegetation management, 

which shall be implemented in cooperation with 

regulatory agencies and with oversight from a qualified 

biologist. 

	 Three areas were identified as potentially sensitive 

biological resource habitat. Within the three areas 

identified as potentially sensitive biological resource 

habitat, the well or other facility shall be located in 

adjacent disturbed areas. 

	 Where relocation to an undisturbed area is not feasible, 

a follow-on detailed site survey shall be conducted 30­

days prior to initiating construction to verify that no 

sensitive species occur within the unavoidable impact 

area. Where such sensitive resources occur and cannot 

be avoided, a compensatory mitigation plan shall be 

implemented that permanently preserves comparable 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 38 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
or better habitat based on the findings of a qualified 

biologist and the CDFW. 

	 It is not anticipated that any discharge of fill or 

streambed alteration will result from installing projectrelated pipelines. However, if it becomes necessary to 

discharge fill or alter a streambed in conjunction with 

the implementation of the Project, CDA shall, prior to 

discharge of fill or streambed alteration of jurisdictional 

areas, obtain regulatory permits from the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, Santa Ana RWQCB and the 

CDFW. 

Cultural Resources. A cultural resources survey and evaluation of the 

project sites was prepared as part of the CEQA document. Based on 

detailed investigation, the report concluded that the Phase 3 Expansion 

sites do not contain any significant surface cultural resources. No known 

Indian Trust assets were identified. Two contingency mitigation measures 

(Mitigation Measures V-1 to V-2) were adopted to address any subsurface 

resources that may be exposed during construction: 

	 In the event that cultural resources not previously 

identified are encountered during ground disturbing 

activities, such activities shall be halted until a qualified 

archaeologist/historian can evaluate the nature and 

significance of the finds. The CDA and/or contractor 

shall implement the management recommendations of 

the archaeologist/historian that examines any 

accidentally exposed cultural resources. 

	 When excavations (not well drilling) extend below ten 

feet or encounter older alluvial sediments, the 

contractor shall have a qualified paleontological 

consulting firm conduct a review of the sediments and 

determine whether monitoring during additional initial 

ground disturbing is required during continuing 

excavation activities. If paleontological resources are 

discovered, excavation activities in the area of the find 

shall be halted until the qualified paleontologist can 

evaluate the nature and significance of the finds. The 

Chino Basin Desalter Authority and/or contractor shall 

implement the management recommendations of the 

paleontologist monitoring and evaluating any resource 

exposed during construction activities. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 39 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Geology. A potential concern was identified regarding strong seismic 

ground shaking and related failure of Phase 3 Expansion facilities, and 

some concern about soil erosion. Mitigation (measures VI-1 to VI-8) 

includes using established techniques and qualified geotechnical 

engineers to evaluate subsurface soils during design and construction. 

Hazards and Hazardous Materials. No underground storage tanks, 

hazardous waste generators, landfills, or other potentially hazardous 

materials sources were identified within the limits of the Phase 3 

Expansion Project. Hazardous materials are used routinely in support of 

treatment operations and some project activities may generate hazardous 

wastes. Use and disposal of hazardous or toxic materials will be managed 

in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Appropriate engineering 

controls, including those listed below, will be implemented to minimize 

emissions from the facility and to minimize the potential for an accidental 

release. 

	 For Phase 3 Expansion facilities that handle hazardous 

materials or generate hazardous waste, the Business 

Plan prepared and submitted to the county or local city 

shall incorporate best management practices (BMPs) 

designed to minimize the potential for accidental 

release of such chemicals. 

	 For the storage of any acutely hazardous material at a 

Phase 3 Expansion facility, such as chlorine gas, 

modeling of pathways of release and potential 

exposure of the public to any released material shall be 

completed and specific measures, such as secondary 

containment, shall be implemented to ensure that 

sensitive receptors will not be exposed to significant 

health threats based on the toxic substance involved. 

	 All contaminated material shall be delivered to a 

licensed treatment, disposal or recycling facility that has 

the appropriate systems to manage the contaminated 

material without significant impact on the environment. 

Hydrology and Water Quality. The Phase 3 Expansion will increase the 

local water supply. The project will also provide hydraulic control, a 

requirement of the Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan for 

the Chino Basin intended to protect water quality downstream of the 

Basin. The project is expected to result in a decline in groundwater level of 

about 30 feet relative to the current groundwater levels. For the local water 

producer in the vicinity of the new Chino Creek Wellfield where the new 

CDA wells will be installed, an adverse impact may occur. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 40 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
	 Mitigation will be provided to the estimated eight (8) 

private well owners/operators within the Chino Creek 

Wellfield area when the well owner/operator cannot 

produce enough groundwater to meet their needs and 

the cause of reduced production can be demonstrated 

to be the expansion of the desalter program. The 

mitigation will restore the lost production capacity to 

ensure that the well owner/operator can produce 

enough groundwater to meet the owner’s needs or 

provide an alternate source of water to replace the lost 

production capacity. 

Noise. The Phase 3 Expansion would require construction of pipelines, 

pump stations, wells, desalter modifications and support facilities. Major 

construction activities are anticipated to include grading, excavation, 

installation of pipelines, concrete forming, mechanical equipment 

installation, and associated electrical installation. Construction activities 

within or adjacent to areas where sensitive receptors are located could 

increase the noise exposure at sensitive receptor locations and have an 

intermittent short-term impact on ambient noise levels. This increase in 

noise levels would only be temporary. The temporary increase in noise 

exposure would cease immediately at the completion of construction. 

Since construction noise is of a temporary nature, most jurisdictions do not 

require such noise to be mitigated to the specific threshold levels outlined 

above. However, they do require operational considerations (i.e., limitation 

of construction hours, the muffling of construction equipment, noise 

complaint response programs, etc.) to minimize noise impacts during the 

construction process. Construction noise mitigation measures have been 

included in the project. 

Under normal operating conditions Phase 3 Expansion pipelines are 

generally not expected to increase the ambient noise levels, except for the 

periodic maintenance visit to inspect pipeline facilities. The operation of 

monitoring wells is also a fairly passive source of noise generation. Once 

installed such wells either have automatic monitoring equipment or are 

visited periodically to obtain the desired data. Modifications to desalter 

facilities can increase local noise levels from operation of pumps and other 

equipment; however, the two existing desalters (Chino I and Chino II) are 

located within industrial areas where no sensitive noise receptors exist. 

However, the operation of both production wells and booster pumps can 

generate noise levels that may be a nuisance to nearby sensitive land 

user. The Phase 3 Expansion project includes mitigation (measures XI-1 

to XI-9) such as limited construction hours and use of noise attenuating 

building materials to ensure that future production well and booster pump 

noise is reduced below a significance threshold in each of the affected 

communities: 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 41 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 Construction shall be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 

p.m. on Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. to 

6 p.m. on Saturday, and shall be prohibited on Sundays 

and federal holidays. 

 All construction vehicles and fixed or mobile equipment 

shall be equipped with properly operating and 

maintained mufflers. 

 All employees that will be exposed to noise levels 

greater than 75 dB over an 8 hour period shall be 

provided with adequate hearing protection devices to 

ensure no hearing damage will result from construction 

activities. 

 If equipment is being used that can cause hearing 

damage at adjacent noise receptor locations (distance 

attenuation shall be taken into account), portable noise 

barriers shall be installed that are demonstrated to be 

adequate to reduce noise levels at receptor locations 

below hearing damage thresholds. Alternatively, the 

construction shall meet the construction noise 

requirements of the local jurisdiction (city or county). 

 All production wells or booster pumps shall have their 

noise levels attenuated to 50 dBA CNEL at the adjacent 

property boundary, when noise sensitive uses occur on 

such property. Alternatively, the construction shall meet 

the construction noise requirements of the local 

jurisdiction (city or county). 

 Project design will include measures which assure 

adequate interior noise levels as required by Title 25 

(California Noise Insulation Standards). Alternatively, 

the construction shall meet the construction noise 

requirements of the local jurisdiction (city or county). 

 Construction staging areas shall be located as far from 

adjacent sensitive receptor locations as possible at 

each facility. Alternatively, the construction shall meet 

the construction noise requirements of the local 

jurisdiction (city or county). 

 Good relations with the local community shall be 

maintained where construction is scheduled, such as 

by keeping people informed of the schedule, duration, 

and progress of the construction to minimize the public 

objections of unavoidable noise. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 42 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
	 All above ground well pumps or booster pump stations 

shall have their noise levels attenuated to 50 dBA 

CNEL at the property boundary when adjacent to a 

noise sensitive land use. 

Public Services. Phase 3 Expansion facilities could be subject to illegal 

trespass and could require police protection. Per mitigation Measure XIII1 fencing will be required to control access to the Phase 3 Expansion 

construction sites as well as at the completed facilities to minimize the 

potential demand for police services. 

Transportation and Traffic. The facilities that would be implemented in 

support of the Phase 3 Expansion include desalting facilities, 

monitoring/production wells, booster stations and pipelines. There are no 

Phase 3 Expansion facilities that would substantially alter existing or future 

traffic generation and destination activities. None of the physical changes 

in the environment resulting from the Phase 3 Expansion implementation 

are forecast to directly or indirectly cause any permanent changes in any 

transportation or circulation systems. Construction activities would create 

traffic hazards, particularly where pipeline routes traverse major trafficked 

highways and cross intersections. Pipelines will be placed underground 

(except possibly within the Desalter compounds) and there will be shortterm disruptions of traffic flows and the potential creation of traffic hazards 

as a result of the construction within road rights-of-way. Per mitigation 

measures XV-1 to XV-8, traffic management plans consistent with the 

California Manual on Uniform Traffic Controls Devices will be prepared 

and implemented prior to initiation of construction within a traveled 

roadway alignment. These mitigation measures, provided below, ensure 

that pipeline construction activities do not create significant adverse traffic 

impacts. 

	 The construction contractor will provide adequate traffic 

management resources, as determined by the 

applicable jurisdiction, to ensure adequate access to all 

occupied properties on a daily basis, including 

emergency access. The applicable jurisdiction shall 

require a construction traffic management plan for work 

in public roads that complies with the CMUTCD, Part 6, 

Temporary Traffic Controls, or other agencies’ 

applicable standard, to provide adequate traffic control 

and safety during construction activities. 

	 The applicable jurisdiction shall require that all 

disturbances to public roadways be repaired in a 

manner that complies with the Standard Specifications 

for Public Works Construction (green book) or other 

applicable jurisdiction standards. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 43 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

	 The construction contractor will time the construction 

activities to minimize obstruction of through traffic lanes 

adjacent to project sites and/or along project 

alignments during peak hours. 

	 During construction the applicable jurisdiction shall 

require that traffic hazards for vehicles, bicycles, and 

pedestrians be adequately identified and controlled to 

minimize hazards. 

	 The applicable jurisdiction shall require the contractor 

to ensure that no open trenches or traffic safety 

hazards are left in roadways during periods of time 

when construction personnel are not present (nighttime, 

weekends, etc.). 

	 Phase 3 Desalter Expansion facilities located within 

one-quarter mile of a school will be required to prepare 

a traffic management plan for review and comment by 

the appropriate school district. The minimum 

performance standard for the traffic plan will be to 

provide sufficient traffic management resources to 

protect pedestrian and vehicle safety in the vicinity of 

school sites. 

	 To the extent feasible, installation of pipelines or other 

construction activities in support of the Phase 3 

Desalter Expansion shall not be located on major 

evacuation or emergency response routes. Where 

construction on such routes is necessary, local 

emergency response providers shall be contacted and 

emergency access and evacuation requirements shall 

be maintained at a level sufficient to meet their needs. 

	 Access to the Santa Ana River Trail and through-traffic 

bicycle access on the trail will be maintained during 

construction activities for the Hamner Avenue pipeline. 

2. Are you aware of any species listed, or proposed to be listed as a Federal 

endangered or threatened species, or designated Critical Habitat in the 

project area? If so, would they be affected by activities associated with the 

proposed project. 

Biological surveys of Project sites of the Chino Phase 3 Expansion 

Program found that the majority of facilities would be installed in areas that 

are already developed or disturbed where biological resource values are 

minimal, and where there is no suitable habitat for sensitive species. 

Three locations were identified that could support sensitive resources: a 

small weedy area of the Chino Creek Wellfield, an area on the north side 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 44 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
of the Santa Ana River where construction staging could occur, and an 

area on the south side of the Santa Ana River where construction staging 

could occur. The following mitigation measures were adopted to avoid 

significant impacts to sensitive species: 

	 To avoid an illegal take of active bird nests, any 

grubbing, brushing or tree removal will be conducted 

outside of the State identified nesting season (nesting 

season is approximately from March 1 through 

September 1 of a given calendar year). In any case, it 

is illegal to take active bird nests of native birds and 

when present at a project site, no take is allowed. 

Alternatively, project impact areas will be evaluated by 

a qualified biologist prior to initiation of ground 

disturbance to demonstrate that no bird nests will be 

disturbed by project construction activities. 

	 Prior to commencement of construction activity in 

locations that are not fully developed, a clearance 

survey will be conducted by a qualified biologist to 

determine if any burrowing owl burrows are located 

within the potential area of impact. If occupied burrows 

may be impacted, an impact minimization plan shall be 

developed by the biologist that will protect the burrow in 

place or provide for relocation to an alternate burrow 

within the vicinity but outside of the project footprint in 

accordance with current California Department of Fish 

and Wildlife guidelines. Active nests must be avoided 

until all nestlings have fledged. 

 Following construction activities within or adjacent to 

any natural area, the disturbed areas shall be 

revegetated using a plant mix of native plant species 

that are suitable for long term vegetation management 

which shall be implemented in cooperation with 

regulatory agencies and with oversight from a qualified 

biologist or landscape architect. The seed mix shall be 

verified to contain the minimum amount of invasive 

plant species seeds reasonably available for the project 

area. 

	 Within the three areas identified as containing 

potentially sensitive biological resource habitat, the well 

or other facility shall be located in adjacent disturbed 

areas or relocated to nearby disturbed areas. 

	 Where relocation is not feasible within the three 

sensitive areas, a follow-on detailed site survey shall be 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 45 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
conducted 30-days prior to initiating construction to 

verify that no sensitive species occur within the 

unavoidable impact area. Where such sensitive 

resources occur and cannot be avoided, a 

compensatory mitigation plan shall be implemented that 

permanently preserves comparable or better habitat 

based on the findings of a qualified biologist and the 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

3. Are there wetlands or other surface waters inside the project boundaries that 

potentially fall under Federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction as “Waters of the 

United States?” If so, please describe and estimate any impacts the proposed 

project may have. 

The Chino Phase 3 Expansion Program has the potential to impact the 

Prado Basin, the Santa Ana River and tributaries. However, it has been 

concluded that impacts would be less than significant impact level with 

incorporation of mitigation measures. 

4. When was the water delivery system constructed? 

The Chino Basin Desalter Authority acquired a portion of the Santa Ana 

Watershed Project Authority system which is estimated to date to the late 

1990’s. 

5. 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 proposed project will not result in modifications to irrigation system 

features. 

6. 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. 

There are several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places in the IEUA service area that will not be impacted by this project. 

A historic resources survey and evaluation of the proposed project area 

was prepared as part of the CEQA document. Historical background 

research for this study was conducted by a qualified historian on the basis 

of published literature in regional history and historic maps of the project 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 46 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
vicinity. Among maps consulted were the U.S. General Land Office's 

(GLO) land survey plat maps dated 1856-1884 and the U.S. Geological 

Survey's (USGS) topographic maps dated 1901-1954. These maps are 

collected at the Science Library of the University of California, Riverside, 

and the California Desert District of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 

located in Moreno Valley. This study identified two known cultural 

resources, designated Sites 33-016029 and 33-016681/36-013627. 

These resources were previously recorded at lying partially within the 

proposed project’s area of potential affect, but the historic resources 

evaluation found that neither of them appeared to constitute a "historic 

property" or a "historical resource" that may be affected by the proposed 

project. Based on these findings, and pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1) and 

Calif. PRC §21084.1, the historic resources report determined that no 

"historic properties" or "historical resources" have been recorded within or 

adjacent to the area of potential affect, and thus none will be affected by 

the project. In April 2012 Reclamation contacted the State Historic 

Preservation Officer who recommended a Finding of No Adverse Effects 

for the project under the National Historic Preservation Act.

7. Are there any known archeological sites in the proposed project area? 

Archeological research, including a historical/archaeological resources 

records search, contact with Native American representatives, and field 

surveys have been conducted as part of the environmental evaluations. 

Cultural resources were identified to exist within the Chino Basin; 

however, potential significant impacts are expected to be reduced to levels 

less than significant with implementation of mitigation measures. 

Measures will include halting operations and initiating evaluation by a 

qualified professional, in the event that not previously identified resources 

are encountered or consulting with a qualified professional as to the extent 

of necessary monitoring. 

8. Will the proposed project have a disproportionately high and adverse effect 

on low income or minority populations? 

The Project will not have a disproportionately high or adverse effect on low 

income or minority populations and benefits of the Project would be 

shared by all water users of the Chino Basin as well as downstream. 

9. Will the project limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites or 

result in other impacts on tribal lands? 

Contact with Native American representatives (Ramona Band of Cahuilla 

Indians, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission 

Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Santa Rosa Band of Mission 

Indians, Gabrielino Tongva Nation, Serrano Nation of Indians, Soboba 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 47 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Band of Luiseño Indians) did not identify any concerns related to the 

Project on tribal lands or sacred sites. 

10.Will the project contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread 

of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species known to occur in the area? 

Previous environmental review did not identify the introduction, continued 

existence or spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species as a 

project impact. In fact, the contractor will be required to revegetate all 

areas disturbed by construction except those areas occupied by structures 

or hardscapes. Revegetation shall emphasize the use of native species or 

drought tolerant non-invasive species. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 48 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

Section 3: Letters of Support 

Letters of support were received from the following entities and attached to this 

application. 

 Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
 

 Jurupa Community Services District
 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 49 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
   

           

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

   

     

     

     

     

         

         

   

   

Section 4: Required Permits or Approvals 

The necessary permits have been acquired for all completed elements. For those 

elements not yet completed, the various permits needed, and their status is provided 

in Table 5. 

Table 5. Permits for the Chino Phase 3 Expansion 

Project

Element Permit Permit Agency Status Drilling Well 19, Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek Well 19A

Well Drilling Permit San Bernardino County

Department of Public

Health

Obtained

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino I Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once wells completed.

Anticipated Dec 2016.

Brine Concentrate

Reduction Facilities

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino II Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once facility operable.

Anticipated December

2016.

Chino I/Chino II Intertie

Pipeline and Flow Control

Facility

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Encroachment Permit City of Eastvale Obtained

Encroachment Permit City of Ontario Obtained

Encroachment Permit County of San

Bernardino Flood

Control District

Obtained

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Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
           

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

         

   

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

     

     

     

       

     

     

   

Table 5 cont. 

Project

Element Permit Permit Agency Status Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw Water Pipelines

Well Drilling Permits San Bernardino County

Department of Public

Health and Riverside

County Department of

Public Health

Successful bidder will

obtain permits before

construction.

Anticipated Nov 2017.

Encroachment Permits California Dept. of

Transportation, County

of San Bernardino

Flood Control District,

County of San

Bernardino, County of

Riverside, City of

Ontario

Successful bidder will

obtain permits before

construction.

Anticipated March

2018.

Discharge Authorization

and Monitoring Reporting

Program (NPDES) Permit

Santa Ana Regional

Water Quality Control

Board

Obtained

Domestic Water Supply

Permit Amendment for

Chino II Desalter

State Water Resources

Control Board Division

of Drinking Water

Will apply for permit

once wells are

completed.

Anticipated July 2019.

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Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Section 5: Official Resolutions 

The Board of Directors for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency are expected to adopt 

resolution 2016-12-01 on December 21, 2016.A certified copy will be available by 

December 22, 2016. A draft of Resolution 2016-12-01 is provided as Attachment 

B to this grant application. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 52 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
   

     

   

           

     

          

     

           

          

         

          

        

          

          

                  

            

       

           

                

          

          

Section 6: Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment 

For the reviewer’s convenience, expenditures planned through September 30, 2019 

are shown in Table 6 below (this is the same as Table 1 presented earlier). 

Table 6. Completed and Planned Activities, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion 

Local Funding

Federal Funding

Received/

Awarded Total Cost

Completed Activities

Studies and Design of Chino Creek

Wellfield (a) (a) (a)

Comprehensive Preliminary Design

Report (a) (a) (a)

Chino II Desalter Expansion $15,013,273 $0 $15,013,273

California Environmental Quality Act (a) (a) (a)

Drilling and Equipping Chino Creek Wells

16, 17, and 18 $4,617,238 $0 $4,617,238

Raw Water Pipeline Chino Creek

Wellfield to Chino I $1,779,632 $0 $1,779,632

Milliken Pump Station $1,783,719 $0 $1,783,719

1110 Pump Station Expansion $1,589,980 $0 $1,589,980

1010 Pump Station (b) $2,175,780 $725,260 $2,901,040

Drilling and Equipping Wells 20 and 21 (c) $2,742,713 $914,238 $3,656,951

Product Water Transmission Pipeline (b) $23,324,682 $3,274,740 $26,599,422

Activities Finishing December 2016

Drilling Well 19, and Drilling and

Equipping of Chino Creek Well 19A (c) $3,266,632 $636,857 $3,903,489

Brine Concentrate Reduction Facilities (d) $42,706,713 $12,200,000 $54,906,713

Subtotal Activities Through Dec 2016 $99,000,362 $17,751,095 $116,751,457

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 53 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
   

   

   

   

       

           

              

         

        

          

      

                 

                 

                 

                 

                   

Table 6 cont. 

Local Funding

Federal Funding

Received/

Awarded Total Cost

Completed Activities

Activities through September 2019

Construction of Chino I/Chino II Intertie

Pipeline and Flow Control Facility (e) $5,525,578 $0 $5,525,578

Groundwater Supply Wells and Raw

Water Pipelines (e) $16,412,627 $3,000,000 $19,412,627

Subtotal Activities Through Sept 2019 $21,938,205 $3,000,000 $24,938,205

Total All Activities $120,938,567 $20,751,095 $141,689,662

Notes:

(a) The costs for planning and design activities included with construction costs

(b) These elements are receiving $4,000,000 in funding from Agreement R12AC35339.

(c) These elements are receiving $1,551,095 in funding from Agreement R11AC35306.

(d) This element is receiving $12,200,000 in funding from Agreement R15AC00059.

(e) These elements are receiving $ 3,000,000 in funding from Agreement R14AC00049.

6.1 Non-Federal Share of Expenditures 

Funding for the Project will come from three primary sources: 1) Reclamation Title 

XVI Desalination and other Reclamation funding; 2) cost share from CDA and CDA 

sponsor member agencies (Western, Ontario, JCSD); and 3) in-kind services and 

cost share from IEUA. Local funds will provide 75% or more of the project cost and 

be match for the Title XVI grant. 

A portion of the CDA, CDA sponsor and IEUA monies will be reimbursed from 

various State of California grants and local grants, including $53 million from the 

State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (formerly 

the California Department of Public Health), $4.9 million from State Water 

Resources Control Board, and $8.8 million from the California Department of 

Water Resources. All of the state grant funds that will be used for local cost share 

have been awarded. 

IEUA and the CDA have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related 

to the funding of specific Phase 3 Expansion raw water pipelines. The intent of the 

MOU and the funding is to site Chino Desalter supply wells in a way that will 

simultaneously address nitrate, TDS, and volatile organic compounds in 

groundwater. TCE plume clean-up is a secondary benefit of the proposed project. 

Table 7 shows the funding sources for the project. All involved agencies will provide 

monetary cost share, with the exception of IEUA. IEUA will provide both monetary 

and in-kind services. No funds have been requested from other federal agencies. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 54 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
The funds documented in Table 7, along with the existing Title XVI awards totaling 

$20,571,095 will meet the expected project costs of $141,689,662. 

Table 7. Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources 

Non-Federal Entities Total Costs 

1. Western Municipal Water District $14,116,996 

2. City of Ontario $6,900,505 

3. Jurupa Community Services 

District $8,554,923 

4. Chino Desalter Authority $1,557,174 

5. IEUA In-Kind Contribution* $882,285 

6. IEUA $16,104,866 

7. State of California Grants $67,572,912 

Non-Federal Subtotal $115,689,661 

Other Federal Entities 

Not applicable $0 

Other Federal Subtotal $0 

Requested Reclamation Funding $5,248,905 

* in-kind funding 

Letters of Commitment for the following entities are provided in Attachment C: 

	 Chino Basin Desalter Authority on behalf CDA and its member agencies 

Western Municipal Water District, City of Ontario, Jurupa Community 

Services District. 

With the exception of the funding requested as part of this application, there are no 

pending funding requests. Without federal funding, the element “Groundwater 

Supply Wells and Raw Water Pipelines” will be delayed. IEUA has budgeted for 

these expenditures, but without federal funds IEUA will need to release contracts for 

design and construction over a longer period of time. This would mean construction 

of these elements could not be done in parallel with other Phase 3 Expansion 

Elements. This would mean some of the cost savings from tandem construction 

would be lost, costs for construction labor and materials are likely to increase, and 

community disruption (i.e., traffic disruptions) would be greater. 

6.2 Completed Elements/Previous Project Expenditures 

As shown in Table 6, many of the project elements are complete (e.g., costs have 

been incurred) or are near completion (costs are well understood). With the 

exception of approximately $124,591 of in-kind services provided by IEUA, all costs 

have been expenditures for consultants or contractors or vendors directly related to 

project design and construction. Costs have been incurred from September 2006. 

These expenditures have resulted in the construction and operation of specific Chino 

Desalter Phase 3 Expansion elements, including: 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 55 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
	 Completion of project feasibility studies and environmental evaluations 

(evaluation of the potential production of the Chino Creek Wellfield and effect 

on “spill” from pumping from the wellfield, Preliminary Design Report, 

California Environmental Quality Act evaluation); 

	 Expansion of the Chino II Desalter from 10 mgd to 20.5 mgd; 

	 Creation of the Chino Creek Wellfield/development of the raw water source to 

serve the desalters (drilling of well 19, drilling and equipping of wells 16, 17, 

18, 20, 21, and 19A, construction of a raw water pipeline to deliver well water 

to Chino I Desalter); 

	 Creation of an efficient product water delivery system. Two pump stations 

have been built (Milliken and Zone 1010 Pump Stations) and one pump 

station expanded (Zone 1110). A 40,000 linear foot (lf) regional transmission 

pipeline was built to connect the Chino II Desalter to the delivery networks of 

three CDA member agencies (Western, Jurupa Community Services District, 

and the City of Ontario). Without these elements it will not be possible to 

deliver the entire amount of new water made available by the Chino Desalter 

expansion. Before these elements were built, water produced at the Chino II 

desalter was delivered to the JCSD 1110 pump station, lifted to the JCSD 

1110 zone (at elevation 1110 feet mean sea level [msl]) then routed through 

the JCSD system to Ontario, Norco, and the SARWC. However, Ontario, 

Norco, and the SARWC then moved their Chino II water into lower pressure 

zones. Lifting the Chino II water that went to Ontario, Norco, and SARWC to 

Zone 1010 resulted in unnecessary energy usage and higher pumping costs. 

By constructing the new pump station and product water pipeline, it became 

possible to deliver all the new water made available at the Chino II Desalter 

and reduce energy required for pumping product water. 

	 Construction of a Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility at the Chino II 

Desalter facility. With an initial treatment capacity of 10 million gallons per day 

(MGD), treatment capacity at Chino II Desalter was expanded to 20.5 MGD 

under the Phase 3 program. Additional treatment capacity, however, is also 

tied to increased brine disposal and additional related costs. As a means of 

increasing reverse osmosis (RO) treatment efficiency at the facility and 

reducing RO concentrate waste that must be disposed of through the Santa 

Ana Regional Interceptor (SARI) Line, a full-scale concentrate treatment and 

recovery system has been constructed. This system consists of a high rate 

pellet softening technology that removes calcium and silica from the RO 

concentrate, thereby allowing subsequent treatment of the softened water 

through a secondary RO process. This softening step increases RO efficiency 

and increases product water recoveries from approximately 80% to up to 

95%, and decreases brine waste by nearly 70%. In the process, pellets are 

precipitated out of the RO concentrate, creating a solid product that is 

diverted from the waste stream and may be further utilized in various 

industrial applications. As of late 2016 the Brine Concentrate Reduction 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 56 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
 

Facility is just starting operations; this efficiency enhancement is expected to 

enable capacity at Chino II to be increased by an additional 2.2. MGD for a 

total of 22.7 MGD with the same amount of raw water input. 

6.3 Budget Form 424C 

Budget Form 424C accompanies this application. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 57 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Section 7: Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award 

Management (SAM) 

IEUA is registered in the System for Award Management and will continue to 

maintain an active SAM registration with current information during which IEUA has 

an active Federal award or application or plan under consideration by a Federal 

awarding agency. The IEUA cage code is 4C6A3. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 58 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project 
Section 8: References 

California Department of Water Resources. 2015. State Water Project Capability 

Report. July. 

California Department of Water Resources. 2003. California’s Groundwater, Bulletin 

118. 

California Energy Commission (CEC). 2005. California’s Water - Energy 

Relationship. www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-700-2005-011/CEC700-2005-011-SF.PDF 

Carollo Engineers, 2010, Chino Desalter Phase 3 Comprehensive Predesign Report, 

Prepared for JCSD, City of Ontario, and Western Municipal Water District. 

Chino Basin Desalter Authority. 2015. Addendum to the Chino Desalter Phase 3 

Expansion Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Addition of an 

Expanded TCE Program. 

IEUA, 2006, Executive Summary Report for the Chino Basin Desalters Expansion 

Project, Prepared for U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation. 

IEUA, 2010, Chino Creek Well Field Development Project, Wells 1,2, and 3, 

Application Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program Funding for FY 

2011. 

IEUA, 2011, 1010 Zone Pump Station and New Product Water Pipelines, Part of the 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Projects, Application Title XVI Water 

Reclamation and Reuse Program Funding for FY 2012. 

IEUA, 2012, Brine Concentrate Reduction Facility and Prado Basin Habitat 

Sustainability Program Part of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project, Application Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program 

Funding for FY 2013. 

United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). 2013. Technical Memorandum 

No. 2, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator for the Water Sector: User’s 

Manual Santa Ana Watershed Basin Study, California. September. 

Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). 2012. Water: 

Sustainable Infrastructure. Available at: 

http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/localofficials_facts.cfm. Accessed 

on January 8, 2013. 

WaterSMART  Inland Empire Utilities Agency Page 59 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 
Attachment A 

Letters of Support 
John V. Ross, 

General Manager 

Robert Stockton Thomas P. Evans Brenda Dennstedt Donald D. Galleano S.R. "At" Lopez 

o·vis•on 1 D1vis1on 2 Dv is·on 3 o ·v s·on 4 D,v;son 5 Securing Your Water Supply 

December 5, 2016 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

PO Box 25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of Western Municipal Water District ("Western"), we would like to express our strong 

support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, and the application for WaterSMART 

grant funding. Western's service area overlies approximately 527 square miles in Western Riverside 

County wherein close to one million people reside. Western's main mission is to provide safe and 

reliable water service to this population. To do this, Western is a member agency of Metropolitan 

Water District of Southern California ("MWD"), which is a supplier of imported water from northern 

California and the Colorado River Aqueduct. To increase water supply diversity and reliability beyond 

imported water from MWD, Western joined the Chino Desalter Authority to expand its access to local 

desalted groundwater supplies. Currently Western owns and operates the existing Arlington Desalter 

and as a member of the Chino Desalter Authority, is a participant in the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project includes, among other things, 

the expansion of desalters in the Chino Groundwater Basin, brine treatment and minimization, the 

construction and operation of new groundwater wells, and new raw and product water delivery 

infrastructure. 

Water Supply 

With over 800 wells, the Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical water source for agriculture, industry, 

and public drinking water suppliers. It is the principle water source for 20 municipal agencies and 

approximately 400 agricultural and dairy operations. However, high salinity levels in some areas of 

the basin have required the construction and operation of regional desalters to maintain the basin as 

a viable water source. These desalters provide water to an area of nearly 114,000 acres as well as 

water for use by Western Municipal Water District, the City of Ontario, Jurupa Community Services 

District, City of Chino, City of Chino Hills, City of Norco, and the Santa Ana River Water Company. 

14205 Meridian Parkway, Rivers de, CA 92518 951.571.7100 wmwd com 
Support for Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

December 5, 2016 

Page 2 of 3 

Altogether, approximately 1.5 million individuals in the Inland Empire benefit from the operation of 

these desalters. 

It is in the best interest of all the water agencies and customers depending on the Chino Groundwater 

Basin to optimize the efficiency of our regional water treatment facilities in order to preserve the use 

of low cost, drought resilient local groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

will result in an additional 10,600 acre feet per year (AFY) of local water supply. The project proposed 

for grant funding will facilitate the efficient delivery of 7,067 AFY new product water. 

Water Supply Sustainability 

The goals and objectives for management of the Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied in the Chino 

Basin Optimum Basin Management Plan. Despite the construction and operation of the desalter 

facilities, the Optimum Basin Management Plan identifies many outstanding issues. Groundwater in 

the lower Chino Basin is heavily degraded with salt and nitrogen and this water overflows on the 

surface to the Santa Ana River. This "spill" of degraded water affects the 350,000 AFY of Santa Ana 

River water used by Orange County Water District. Contamination of the Santa Ana River harms the 

comprehensive groundwater recharge program of Orange County Water District. The Santa Ana 

Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered elimination of this "spill" (e.g., hydraulic control). 

In fact, the Basin is under a Superior Court order (Case #RCV 51010) to address water quality caused 

by agricultural practices. Ongoing salt issues could limit future use of recycled water in the Chino 

Basin. 

The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and Reclamation Project, consistent with 

the goals and objectives of the Optimum Basin Management Plan will: 

o 	 Increase desalter groundwater pumping from the lower Chino Basin to 40,000 AFY; 

o 	 Achieve hydraulic control of Chino Groundwater Basin overflow to the Santa Ana River; and 

o 	 Improve basin water quality through removal of basin salts and facilitate use of recycled 

water. 

Other Benefits 

Two groundwater plumes are located in the vicinity of wells proposed as part the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Desalination Project: the Chino Airport and the Ontario International Airport plumes. Design, 

siting, and operation of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project wells and pumping 

operations are being undertaken in a manner to facilitate cleanup of these plumes. 
Support for Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

December 5, 2016 

Page 3 of 3 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation through the WaterSMART Title XVI Program has allowed 

many elements of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Project to go forward and this support has greatly 

benefited local water supply and water quality. The project is in its final phases and the current grant 

request will allow for successful project completion. We strongly urge your thoughtful consideration 

of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project. 

Sincerely, 
14000 City Center Drive December 1, 2016 

Chino Hills, CA 91709 

(909) 364-2600 

Bureau of Reclamation WWW.~.fYfj Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

PO Box 25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of the City of Chino Hills, we would like to express our strong support for the Lower 

Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, and the application for WaterSMART grant funding. As a 

member of the Chino Basin community, this project will enhance the regional water sufficiency, 

while improving water quality of the groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project includes, among other things, the expansion of desalters in the Chino Groundwater 

Basin, brine treatment and minimization, the construction and operation of new groundwater 

wells, and new raw and product water delivery infrastructure. 

Water Supply 

With over 800 wells, the Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical water source for agriculture, 

industry and public drinking water suppliers. It is the principle water source for 20 municipal 

agencies and approximately 400 agricultural and dairy operations. However, high salinity levels 

in some areas of the basin have required the construction and operation of regional desalters to 

maintain the basin as a viable water source. These desalters provide water to an area of nearly 

114,000 acres and provides water for use by Western Municipal Water District, the City of 

Ontario, Jurupa Community Services District, City of Chino, City of Chino Hills, City of Norco, 

and the Santa Ana River Water Company. Altogether, approximately 1.5 million individuals in 

the Inland Empire benefit from the operation of the desalters. 

It is in the interest of all the water agencies and customers, depending on the Chino 

Groundwater Basin, to optimize the efficiency of the regional water treatment facilities in order to 

preserve the use of low cost local groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project will result in an additional 10,600 acre feet per year (AFY) of local water supply. The 

project proposed for grant funding will facilitate the efficient delivery of 7,067 AFY new product 

water. 

Water Supply Sustainability 

The goals and objectives for management of the Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied in the 

Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management Plan. Despite the construction and operation of the 

desalter facilities, the Optimum Basin Management Plan identifies many outstanding issues. 

Groundwater in the lower Chino Basin is heavily degraded with salt and nitrogen and this water 

C& c~.. Art Bennett • Ed M. Graham • Ray Marquez • Cynthia Moran • Peter J. Rogers 
Page 2 of 2 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

overflows on the surface to the Santa Ana River. This "spill" of degraded water affects the 

350,000 AFY of Santa Ana River water used by Orange County Water District. Contamination 

of the Santa Ana River harms the comprehensive groundwater recharge program of Orange 

County Water District. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered 

elimination of this "spill" (e.g., hydraulic control). In fact the Basin is under a Superior Court 

order (Case #RCV 51010) to address water quality caused by agricultural practices. Ongoing 

salt issues could limit future use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and Reclamation Project, consistent 

with the goals and objectives of the Optimum Basin Management Plan will: 

o 	 Increase desalter groundwater pumping from the lower Chino Basin to 40,000 AFY; and 

o 	 Achieve hydraulic control of Chino Groundwater Basin overflow to the Santa Ana River; 

and 

o 	 Improve basin water quality through removal of basin salts and facilitate use of recycled 

water. 

Other Benefits 

Two groundwater plumes are located in the vicinity of wells proposed as part the Lower Chino 

Dairy Area Desalination Project: the Chino Airport and the Ontario International Airport plumes. 

Design, siting, and operation of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project wells and 

pumping operations are being undertaken in a manner to facilitate cleanup of these plumes. 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation has allowed many elements of the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Project to go forward and this support has greatly benefited local water supply. The 

project is in its final phases, the current grant request will allow for successful project 

completion. We strongly urge your thoughtful consideration of the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project. 

Sincerely, 

Mayor 

~ cc: 	 Peter Rogers, Vice Mayor 

Konradt Bartlam, City Manager 

Nadeem Majaj, P.E., Public Works Director 
14000 City Center Drive December 1, 2016 

Chino Hills, CA 91709 

(909) 364-2600 

Bureau of Reclamation WWW.~.~ Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

PO Box 25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of the City of Chino Hills, we would like to express our strong support for the Lower 

Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, and the application for WaterSMART grant funding. As a 

member of the Chino Basin community, this project will enhance the regional water sufficiency, 

while improving water quality of the groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project includes, among other things, the expansion of desalters in the Chino Groundwater 

Basin, brine treatment and minimization, the construction and operation of new groundwater 

wells, and new raw and product w_ater delivery infrastructure. 

Water Supply 

With over 800 wells, the Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical water source for agriculture, 

industry and public drinking water suppliers. It is the principle water source for 20 municipal 

agencies and approximately 400 agricultural and dairy operations. However, high salinity levels 

in some areas of the basin have required the construction and operation of regional desalters to 

maintain the basin as a viable water source. These desalters provide water to an area of nearly 

114,000 acres and provides water for use by Western Municipal Water District, the City of 

Ontario, Jurupa Community Services District, City of Chino, City of Chino Hills, City of Norco, 

and the Santa Ana River Water Company. Altogether, approximately 1.5 million individuals in 

the Inland Empire benefit from the operation of the desalters. 

It is in the interest of all the water agencies and customers, depending on the Chino 

Groundwater Basin, to optimize the efficiency of the regional water treatment facilities in order to 

preserve the use of low cost local groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project will result in an additional 10,600 acre feet per year (AFY) of local water supply. The 

project proposed for grant funding will facilitate the efficient delivery of 7,067 AFY new product 

water. 

Water Supply Sustainability 

The goals and objectives for management of the Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied in the 

Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management Plan. Despite the construction and operation of the 

desalter facilities, the Optimum Basin Management Plan identifies many outstanding issues. 

Groundwater in the lower Chino Basin is heavily degraded with salt and nitrogen and this water 

C& c~.. Art Bennett • Ed M. Graham • Ray Marquez • Cynthia Moran • Peter J. Rogers 
Page 2 of 2 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

overflows on the surface to the Santa Ana River. This "spill" of degraded water affects the 

350,000 AFY of Santa Ana River water used by Orange County Water District. Contamination 

of the Santa Ana River harms the comprehensive groundwater recharge program of Orange 

County Water District. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered 

elimination of this "spill" (e.g., hydraulic control). In fact the Basin is under a Superior Court 

order (Case #RCV 51010) to address water quality caused by agricultural practices. Ongoing 

salt issues could limit future use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and Reclamation Project, consistent 

with the goals and objectives of the Optimum Basin Management Plan will: 

o 	 Increase desalter groundwater pumping from the lower Chino Basin to 40,000 AFY; and 

o 	 Achieve hydraulic control of Chino Groundwater Basin overflow to the Santa Ana River; 

and 

o 	 Improve basin water quality through removal of basin salts and facilitate use of recycled 

water. 

Other Benefits 

Two groundwater plumes are located in the vicinity of wells proposed as part the Lower Chino 

Dairy Area Desalination Project: the Chino Airport and the Ontario International Airport plumes. 

Design, siting, and operation of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project wells and 

pumping operations are being undertaken in a manner to facilitate cleanup of these plumes. 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation has allowed many elements of the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Project to go forward and this support has greatly benefited local water supply. The 

project is in its final phases, the current grant request will allow for successful project 

completion. We strongly urge your thoughtful consideration of the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project. 

Sincerely, 

Mayor 

~ cc: 	 Peter Rogers, Vice Mayor 

Konradt Bartlam, City Manager 

Nadeem Majaj, P.E., Public Works Director 
DENNIS R. YATES GLENN DUNCAN 

Mayor EARL C. ELROD 

TOM HAUGHEY 

EUNICE M. ULLOA Council Members 

Mayor Pro Tern 

MATTHEW C. BALLANTYNE 

CITY of CHINO 

City Manager 

December 6, 2016 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

PO Box 25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of the City of Chino, we would like to express our support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project, and the application for WaterSMART grant funding. The Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project provides for the reclamation of impaired groundwater, and includes, among other 

things, the expansion of desalters in the Chino Groundwater Basin, brine treatment and minimization, 

the construction and operation of new groundwater wells, and new water delivery infrastructure. 

The Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical source of water for agriculture, industry, and public drinking 

water suppliers. However, high salinity levels in the Basin has necessitated the construction and 

operation of regional desalters in order to maintain the Basin as a viable water source. Potable water 

produced by the Chino Basin Desalter Authority represents approximately 30 percent of the City of 

Chino's total potable water supply. In addition to the City of Chino, the Authority's desalters also 

provide potable water for use by the cities of Chino Hills, Norco, and Ontario, and by the many 

communities served by the Jurupa Community Services District, the Santa Ana River Water Company, 

and the Western Municipal Water District of Riverside County. 

Chino Basin groundwater quality is degraded with salt and nitrogen and this groundwater flows 

naturally to the Santa Ana River which is a major source of water for Orange County, California. The 

Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered the strict control of degraded groundwater 

quality contribution to the River. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, consistent with the 

13220 Central Avenue, Chino. Cal ifornia 91710 @ Mail i ng Address: P.O Box 667, Ch i no , California 91708 , 0667 

(909) 334 - 3250 • (909) 334 - 3720 Fax 

Web Site . www.cityofc h1no org 
goals and objectives of the Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management Program approved by the 

California Superior Court, and the requirements of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, 

achieves hydraulic control of the impaired groundwater flow to the Santa Ana River. 

Other derived benefits associated with the Lower Chino Basin Area Desalination Project removal of salts 

from the groundwater include facilitation of recycled water reuse in the Basin, and the designed 

remediation of two groundwater contamination plumes characterized by volatile organic compounds. 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation has allowed several elements of the Lower Chino Diary Area 

Project to move forward, greatly benefitting Chino Basin and downstream water suppliers. The Project, 

designed to develop local water supplies by remediating poor water quality, and reduce dependence on 

imported water, is in its final phases, and the current grant request will help to ensure successful Project 

completion. We urge your thoughtful consideration of the Lower Chino Diary Area Desalination Project. 

Sincerely, 

Assistant City Manager/ Public Works Director 
Thomas I~ Evans 

Commission 

Chair 

Cdcslc Cantu 

General 

Manag(?r 

Orange 

County 

Water 

District 

Western 

Municipal 

Wah'r Dismc"t 

Eastern 

Municipal 

Water 

Di!-trirt 

San 

Bernardino 

Valley 

Municipal 

Water 

District 

Inland 

Empire 

Utilitks 

Agency 

Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority 


OVER 45YEARS OF I.Kt\OVA.T!Ol\, V!SlO:'\, AND WATERSHED LEADERSHIP 

One Water One \Natershed 

A\r\TRA L\1.'EGRATED \,VAJ[R RCSOL"RCES lviA.'\'At;EMl!NT AWARD 

HAr<v',\RD K ENNEDY ScH001.'s Tor> 25 lr--:NOVATlo l\:s IN A MERI CAN GovER:--!ME~T 

November 9, 2016 

Bureau ofReclamation 

Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

POBox25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalfofSan Ana Watershed Project Authority we would like to express our strong 

support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, and the application for 

WaterSMART grant funding. This project is in line with SAWPA's mission to create a 

sustainable Santa Ana River Watershed that is salt balanced, drought proofed, and supports 

economic and environmental vitality. 

Toe Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project includes, among other things, the 

expansion of desalters in the Chino Groundwater Basin, brine treatment and minimization, 

the construction and operation ofnew groundwater wells, and new raw and product water 

delivery infrastructure. 

Water SuRPlY 

With over 800 wells, the Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical water source for 

agriculture, industry and public drinking water suppliers. It is the principle water source for 

20 municipal agencies and approximately 400 agricultural and dairy operations. However, 

high salinity levels in some areas ofthe basin have required the construction and operation 

ofregional desalters to maintain the basin as a viable water source. These desalters 

provide water to an area ofnearly 114,000 acres and provide water for use by Western 

Municipal Water District, the City ofOntario, Jurupa Community Services District, City of 

Chino, City ofChino Hills, City ofKorco, and the Santa Ana River Water Company. 

Altogether, approximately 1.5 million individuals in the Inland Empire benefit from the 

operation ofthe desalters. 

It is in the interest of all the water agencies and customers depending on the Chino 

Groundwater Basin to optimize the efficiency ofthe regional water treatment facilities in 

order to preserve the use oflow cost local groundwater. Toe Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project will result in an additional 10,600 acre feet per year (AFY) oflocal 

water supply. The project proposed for grant funding will facilitate the efficient delivery 

of7,067 AFY new product water. 

11615 Sterling Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503 • 951.354.4220 


www.sawpa.org • www.sawpa.org/OWOW 

Water Supply Sustainability 

The goals and objectives for management ofthe Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied 

in the Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management Plan. Despite the construction and 

operation ofthe desalter facilities, the Optimum Basin Management Plan identifies many 

outstanding issues. Groundwater in the lower Chino Basin is heavily degraded with salt 

and nitrogen and this water overflows on the surface to the Santa Ana River. This "spill" 

ofdegraded water affects the 350,000 AFY ofSanta Ana River water used by Orange 

County Water District. Contamination ofthe Santa Ana River harms the comprehensive 

groundwater recharge program ofOrange County Water District. The Santa Ana Regional 

Water Quality Control Board has ordered elimination ofthis "spill" ( e.g., hydraulic 

control). In fact the Basin is under a Superior Court order (Case #RCV 51010) to address 

water quality caused by agricultural practices. Ongoing salt issues could limit future use of 

recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and Reclamation Project, 

consistent with the goals and objectives ofthe Optimum Basin Management Plan will 

1) Increase desalter groundwater pumping from the lower Chino Basin to 40,000 AFY; 2) 

achieve hydraulic control of Chino Groundwater Basin overflow to the Santa Ana River; 

and 3) improve basin water quality through removal ofbasin salts and facilitate use of 

recycled water. 

Other Benefits 

Two groundwater plumes are located in the vicinity ofwells proposed as part the Lower 

Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project: the Chino Airport and the Ontario International 

Airport plumes. Design, siting, and operation ofthe Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination 

Project wells and pumping operations are being undertaken in a manner to facilitate 

cleanup ofthese plumes. 

Support from the Bureau ofReclamation has allowed many elements ofthe Lower Chino 

Dairy Area Project to go forward and this support has greatly benefited local water supply. 

The project is in its final phases, the current grant request will allow for successful project 

completion. We strongly urge your thoughtful consideration ofthe Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Desalination Project. 
.A'9 

Chad Blais, President JlJlUIB 

Kenneth J. McLaughlin, Vice President COMMUNITY SER VICES DISTRICT 

Betty A. Anderson, Director 

Joan E. Roberts, Ph.D., Director 

Jane F. Anderson, Director 

December 5, 2016 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 


PO Box 25007 


Denver, CO 80225 

Re: Support for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD), we would like to express our strong suppm1 

for the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project, and the application for WaterSMART grant 

funding. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project includes, among other things, the expansion 

of desalters in the Chino Groundwater Basin, brine treatment and minimization, the construction and 

operation of new groundwater wells, and new raw and product water delivery infrastructure. JCSD has a 

33 percent interest in the Chino Basin Desalter Authority (CDA) and the expansion project which 

provides JCSD with one third of its total water supply portfolio. The Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Desalination Project would improve reliability for JCSD customers and the region. 

Water Supply 

With over 800 wells, the Chino Groundwater Basin is a critical water source for agriculture, industry and 

public drinking water suppliers. It is the principle water source for 20 municipal agencies and 

approximately 400 agricultural and dairy operations. However, high salinity levels in some areas of the 

basin have required the construction and operation of regional desalters to maintain the basin as a viable 

water source. These desalters provide water to an area of nearly 114,000 acres and provide water for use 

by Western Municipal Water District, the City of Ontario, Jurupa Community Services District, City of 

Chino, City of Chino Hills, City of Norco, and the Santa Ana River Water Company. Altogether, 

approximately 1.5 million individuals in the Inland Empire benefit from the operation of the desalters. 

It is in the interest of all the water agencies and customers depending on the Chino Groundwater Basin to 

optimize the efficiency ofthe regional water treatment facilities in order to preserve the use of low cost 

local groundwater. The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project will result in an additional 10,600 

acre feet per year (AFY) of local water supply. The project proposed for grant funding will facilitate the 

efficient delivery of 7,067 AFY new product water. 

Water Supply Sustainability 

The goals and objectives for management of the Chino Groundwater Basin are embodied in the Chino 

Basin Optimum Basin Management Plan. Despite the construction and operation of the desalter facilities, 

the Optimum Basin Management Plan identifies many outstanding issues. Groundwater in the lower 

Chino Basin is heavily degraded with salt and nitrogen and this water overflows on the surface to the 

Santa Ana River. This "spill" of degraded water affects the 350,000 AFY of Santa Ana River water used 

11201 Harrel Street, Jurupa Valley, CA 91752 * Phone (951) 685-7 434 * Fax (951) 727-3501 
by Orange County Water District. Contamination of the Santa Ana River harms the comprehensive 

groundwater recharge program ofOrange County Water District. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality 

Control Board has ordered elimination of this "spill" (e.g., hydraulic control). In fact the Basin is under a 

Superior Comt order (Case #RCV 51010) to address water quality caused by agricultural practices. 

Ongoing salt issues could limit future use of recycled water in the Chino Basin. 

The Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and Reclamation Project, consistent with the 

goals and objectives ofthe Optimum Basin Management Plan will: 

o Increase desalter groundwater pumping from the lower Chino Basin to 40,000 AFY; and 

o Achieve hydraulic control of Chino Groundwater Basin overflow to the Santa Ana River; and 

o Improve basin water quality through removal of basin salts and facilitate use ofrecycled water. 

Otlter Benefits 

Two groundwater plumes are located in the vicinity of wells proposed as part the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Desalination Project: the Chino Airport and the Ontario International Airport plumes. Design, 

siting, and operation of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project wells and pumping operations 

are being undertaken in a manner to facilitate cleanup of these plumes. 

Support from the Bureau of Reclamation has allowed many elements of the Lower Chino Dairy Area 

Project to go forward and this support has greatly benefited local water supply. The project is in its final 

phases, the current grant request will allow for successful project completion. We strongly urge your 

thoughtful consideration of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project. 

Sincerely, 

~~-Q!J, 

Todd M. Corbin 

General Manager 
Attachment B 

Draft Resolution 
 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2016-12-3 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INLAND EMPIRE 

UTILITIES AGENCY*, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, 

CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE INLAND EMPIRE 

UTILITIES AGENCY TO ENTER INTO A FINANCIAL 

ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT UNDER THE WATERSMART: 

2017 WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE PROGRAM 

FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 WITH THE U.S. 

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR - BUREAU OF 

RECLAMATION AND DESIGNATING A REPRESENTATIVE 

TO EXECUTE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT, 

AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation under 

the WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program will make funding 

available to qualifying applicants; and 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency has identified 

a project that exemplifies the objectives of the WaterSMART Grant in the Lower Chino Dairy 

Area Project; and 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency* is authorized to enter into 

a financial assistance agreement under the WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and 

Reuse Program Funding for Fiscal Year 2017; 

BE IT RESOLVED, the General Manager has reviewed and supports the application 

being submitted; 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency* Board of Directors 

authorizes the General Manager, Assistance General Managers, or his designees to execute the 

financial assistance agreement, any amendments, and any grant related documents thereto; 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, along with the Chino 

Basin Desalter Authority and its member agencies, are capable of providing the amount of 

funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the grant application funding plan; 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency will work with the Bureau 

of Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a cooperative agreement, and; 

ADOPTED this 21st day of December, 2016. 

__________________________________ 

Terry Catlin, President of the Inland Empire 

Utilities Agency* and of the Board of Directors 

thereof 
__________________________________ 

 

Resolution No. 2016-12-3 

Page 2 of 3 

ATTEST: 

Steven J. Elie, Secretary/Treasurer of the 

Inland Empire Utilities Agency* and of the 

Board of Directors thereof 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution No. 2016-12-3 

Page 3 of 3 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) 

)SS 

COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) 

I, Steven J. Elie, Secretary/Treasurer of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency*, DO 

HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution being No. 2016-12-3, was adopted at a 

regular meeting on December 21, 2016, of said Agency* by the following vote: 

AYES:
 

NOES:
 

ABSTAIN: 

ABSENT: 

 Steven J. Elie

 Secretary/Treasurer 

(SEAL) 

* A Municipal Water District 
Attachment C 

Letters of Commitment 
CHINO BASIN 

DESALTER 

AUTHORITY 

Jim Bowman, Chairperson 

J. Arnold Rodriguez, Vice Chairperson 

Peter J. Rogers, Secretary 

Betty Anderson, Director 

Terry Catlin, Director 

Tom Haughey, Director 

S.R. "Al" Lopez, Director 

Greg Newton, Director 

2151 S. Haven Avenue, Suite 202 • Ontario, CA 91761 • (909) 218-3230 Curtis D. Paxt on, General Manager/ CEO 

December 2, 2016 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Acquisitions Operations Branch 

Attn: Matthew Reichert, Mail Code: 84-27852 

PO Box 25007 

Denver, CO 80225 

Subject: Funding Commitment - Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Project 

To Whom It May Concern : 

This letter is to document the funding commitment to the Lower Chino Area Desalination Project by the 

Chino Basin Desalter Authority (CDA) and its member agencies. 

The Chino Basin is the principal water supply for 20 municipal agencies and about 400 agricultural and 

dairy operations. The groundwater aquifer is plagued with high salinity and high nitrate concentrations. 

The Chino I Desalter began operation in 2000 and the Chino II Desalter began operation in 2006. 

Construction of these facilities constituted the Chino Desalter Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects. Despite the 

construction and operation of the desalter facilities issues still remain in the Chino Basin. Overflows 

from the Basin enter and degrade the Santa Ana River, the Basin is under a Superior Court order to 

address water quality caused by agricultural practices, and on-going salt issues could limit future use of 

recycled water. To address these issues, the CDA is implementing the Phase 3 Chino Basin Desalters 

Expansion Project. The project is part of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination Demonstration and 

Reclamation Project authorized by Section 1638 of H.R. 177. The City of Ontario, Jurupa Community 

Services District, and Western Municipal Water District, members of the CDA, are sponsoring the Phase 

3 Expansion. Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) is assisting with the Phase 3 Expansion by providing 

grant administration services and is funding construction of specific raw water pipelines. 

City of Chino • City of Chino Hills • City of Norco • City of Ontario • Inland Empire Utilities Agency 

Jurupa Community Services District • Santa Ana River Water Company • Western Municipal Water District 
The Phase 3 Expansion consists of multiple components: 

• 	 Construction of new extraction wells in the Chino Creek Wellfield 

• 	 Construction of new extraction wells to serve the Chino II Desalter 

• 	 Construction of raw water pipelines to deliver untreated groundwater to desalter facilities for 

treatment 

• 	 Modifications to the existing Chino J Desalter to increase salt removal 

• 	 Expansion of the Chino II Desalter to increase capacity 

• 	 Construction of a brine concentrate reduction facility at the Chino II Desalter to reduce brine 

disposal volumes 

• 	 Construction of product water pipelines to deliver treated water to users 

• 	 Expansion of an existing pump station and construction of two new pump stations 

• 	 Construction of an intertie pipeline and flow control facility between the Chino I and Chino II 

desalters. 

Capital Costs 

Many tasks of the Phase 3 Expansion Project have been completed. Remaining elements are the Chino I 

Desalter modifications, construction of new wells and associated raw water pipelines to serve the Chino 

II Desalter, and a small segment of the intertie pipeline. The overall Phase 3 Project will be ongoing from 

September 2008 until December 2019. At this point in the project the majority of costs are well 

understood. Costs for completed project elements or elements already bid are $116,751,457; 

anticipated costs for elements not yet bid are $24,938,205 for a total anticipated cost of $141,689,661. 

Sponsor Commitment to Project 

Sponsor commitment to the project is demonstrated by the Water Purchase Agreements executed by 

the City of Ontario, Jurupa Community Services District, and Western Municipal Water District. The 

agreements, dated January 2011, provide for "the acquisition, construction, operation and financing of 

the expanded desalted water facilities ...." Within these purchase agreements, the City of Ontario, Jurupa 

Community Services District, and Western Municipal Water District have agreed to fund capital costs of 

the Phase 3 Expansion. Table 1 provides sponsor financial commitment to the project as stated in the 

Water Supply Purchase Agreements and current costs which have been revised based on actual 

construction costs and award of monies from the State of California . 

TABLE 1. SPONSOR COMMITMENT TO PROJECT 

Capital Costs as Capital Costs Based 

Agreed in Water on Sept 1, 2016 CDA 

Sponsor Purchase Agreement Budget Estimate 

Ontario Municipal Utilities Company 	 $28,322,939 $19,235,880 

Jurupa Community Services District 	 $22,023,017 $19,593,401 

Western Municipal Water District 	 $37,902,092 $31,610,347 

Total $88,248,048 $72,223,857 

As demonstrated by Table 1, sponsors have committed to $88,248,048 in funding, this is above the 

amount of the estimated funding needed {$72,223,857). 
Funding for the project is available now; there are not time constraints on the availability of funds nor 

are there any other contingencies associated with the sponsor funding. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions related to sponsor funding or the Phase 3 Expansion Project. 

Included with this letter are endorsements from representatives of the Phase 3 Expansion sponsor 

agencies. 

Sincerely, 

CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY 

Curtis D. Paxton 

General Manager 

Sincerely, 

PHASE 3 EXPANSION SPONSOR AGENCIES 

CITY OF ONTARIO 

Scott Burton, Utilities General Manager 

JURUPA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT 

Todd M. Corbin, General Manager 

WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT 

John V. Rossi, General Manager 
Funding for the project is available now; there are not time constraints on the availability of funds nor 

are there any other contingencies associated with the sponsor funding. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions related to sponsor funding or the Phase 3 Expansion Project. 

Included with this letter are endorsements from representatives of the Phase 3 Expansion sponsor 

agencies. 

Sincerely, 

CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY 

Curtis D. Paxton 

General Manager 

Sincerely, 

PHASE 3 EXPANSION SPONSOR AGENCIES 

CITY OF ONTARIO 

%~~~ Scott Burton, Utilities General Manager 

JURUPA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT 

Todd M. Corbin, General Manager 

WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT 

John V. Rossi, General Manager 
Funding for the project is available now; there are not time constraints on the availability of funds nor 

are there any other contingencies associated with the sponsor funding. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions related to sponsor funding or the Phase 3 Expansion Project. 

Included with this letter are endorsements from representatives of the Phase 3 Expansion sponsor 

agencies. 

Sincerely, 

CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY 

Curtis D. Paxton 

General Manager 

Sincerely, 

PHASE 3 EXPANSION SPONSOR AGENCIES 

CITY OF ONTARIO 

Scott Burton, Utilities General Manager 

~p C~MMUNITY ~VICEWISTRICT 

- \~"{\I\ ' ~ 

Todd M . Corbin, General Manager 

WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT 

John V. Rossi, General Manager 
Funding for the project is available now; there are not time constraints on the availability of funds nor 

are there any other contingencies associated with the sponsor funding. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions related to sponsor funding or the Phase 3 Expansion Project. 

Included with this letter are endorsements from representatives of the Phase 3 Expansion sponsor 

agencies. 

Sincerely, 

CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY 

Curtis D. Paxton 

General Manager 

Sincerely, 

PHASE 3 EXPANSION SPONSOR AGENCIES 

CITY OF ONTARIO 

Scott Burton, Utilities General Manager 

JURUPA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT 

Todd M. Corbin, General Manager 

MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT 

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