Irvine Desalter Project

Irvine Desalter Project

The Irvine Desalter Project (IDP) is a joint groundwater quality restoration project by the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) to clean up the groundwater in the vicinity of the former Marine Air Corps Station (MCAS) El Toro base. The natural geology and past agricultural drainage have resulted in undesirable levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) or salts and nitrates in the local groundwater. Separately, past chemical disposal and waste handling practices at the former MCAS have caused seepage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE) into both the shallow and principal aquifers on and adjacent to the former MCAS. By pumping and treating groundwater containing elevated salts and nitrates, the IDP will largely prevent the migration of salts and nitrates from the Irvine Sub-basin into the main Orange County groundwater basin, which is located just west of Irvine. The project will also prevent VOC-contaminated groundwater from spreading into the main Orange County aquifer. By providing reliable new sources of local potable and non-potable waters, the IDP will reduce dependency on non-local water sources. The project consists of three separate systems of wells and pipelines and three separate water treatment plant facilities: the Potable Treatment of Plant (PTP), SGU treatment facilities (non-potable), and Central Treatment Plant (CTP, non-potable). Each system operates independently, with separate wells, pipelines, and treatment facilities. The only component of the IDP under the authority of the California Department of Health Services permit amendment is the Potable Treatment Plant.

Irvine

Orange