October 1, 2020 - A new water supply for East San Diego County is one step closer to becoming a reality today with the approval of two major Progressive Design Build Agreements for Packages 1 and 2 for the East County Advanced Water Purification Project (East County AWP). Approval of the agreements authorizes the Phase 1 work which includes key design and pre‐construction elements. Phase 1 work for both packages has been approved at a not‐to‐exceed amount of approximately $19.6 million.
The East County AWP Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board of Directors approved an agreement with AECOM/Lyles, as a Design Builder, to design, construct and perform transitional operation and maintenance services for Package 1 of the East County AWP Project. Components of Package 1 include: a 16 MGD Water Recycling Facility, an 11.5 MGD Advanced Water Purification Facility, a solids handling facility, a product water pump station and a new visitor’s center. The progressive nature of Package 1, Phase 1 provides the JPA with the opportunity to evaluate and price options and value‐engineering (i.e., innovative) ideas, refine the Project design, continue to eliminate unknowns, and identify and evaluate project risks. Phase 1 will not exceed $14.1 million.
The JPA approved an agreement with Orion Construction Corp., as a Design‐Builder to design and construct Package 2 of the Project. Package 2 includes designing and constructing a 10‐mile Advanced Water Purification pipeline, Dechlorination Facility and inlet to Lake Jennings. Phase 1 work for Package 2 is based on time and materials and will not exceeded $5.5 million.
“The Board is elated to see this Project continue to progress forward with this important next phase of work,” commented JPA Chair Gary Kendrick. “This next phase will provide a clear path forward to securing a local water supply for our community.”
The East County AWP Program is a regional water and wastewater solution and has significant regional benefits. The Program will be one of the first potable reuse projects in the State of California to use the new Surface Water Augmentation (SWA) regulations. The Program will provide approximately 11.5 MGD of purified water meeting up to 30 percent of East County’s drinking water demands and eliminate the discharge of 15 million gallons per day of partially treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
Both Package 1 and 2 will proceed forward with Phase 1 work and not‐to‐exceed dollar amounts. During Phase 1 of each package, the JPA will collaborate with AECOM/Lyles and Orion to develop and finalize the scope of work and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for Phase 2 (and Phase 3 for Package 1 only). Phase 1 work for both packages is planned to begin in October 2020 and run through January 2022.
The East County AWP Project consists of three packages. The third package will be considered by the JPA Board at a meeting in December 2020. Project construction is expected to begin in 2022, with the Program beginning to produce water in 2025.
The Advanced Water Purification process will use four advanced water purification steps to produce water that is near‐distilled in quality. After treatment, the purified water will be blended with water in Lake Jennings and treated again at the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant before being distributed as drinking water.
This Program is a collaborative partnership between Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the County of San Diego, the City of El Cajon and Helix Water District. It will create a new, local, sustainable and drought proof drinking water supply while reducing our dependence on imported water. For more information about the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, please visit http://eastcountyawp.com.