News
OMWD’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Recognized as San Diego’s Top Plant for 2014
Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s (OMWD) 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) has been recognized by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) San Diego Section as 2014’s “Plant of the Year” (Small Plant Category).
The award was presented to OMWD on Saturday, January 24 at the Handlery Hotel during the section’s annual awards banquet.
Recycled water is a linchpin of OMWD’s water supply diversification efforts, and the 4S Ranch WRF is OMWD’s sole facility for the production of recycled water. Over the past three years, the 4S Ranch WRF has processed and produced over 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality recycled water, which is used for irrigation purposes at schools, parks, golf courses, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas in the southeastern portion of OMWD’s service area.
“The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is a critical part of OMWD’s infrastructure and is a significant reason we have been able to reduce our demand for imported water,” explained OMWD Board President Ed Sprague. “We are very proud of this facility and of our reclamation operators who ensure it continues to reliably produce recycled water. This recognition from the California Water Environment Association is appreciated and well-deserved.”
CWEA’s San Diego Section evaluated eligible facilities on such criteria as permit compliance, process controls, maintenance strategies and efficiency, training and safety, and facility accomplishments. In particular, the 4S Ranch WRF was recognized for its innovative practices, including jar testing, equipment demonstrations, and exemplary operator training, as well as for its quality management systems and ongoing efforts to efficiently reduce costs.
The 4S Ranch WRF will now be considered along with each of CWEA’s 16 other regional honorees for statewide “Plant of the Year” recognition.
Founded in 1927, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 9,000-plus professionals in the wastewater industry. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes sound policies to benefit society through protection and enhancement of our water environment.
