Regional San has completed construction of an important project to provide recycled water for the Campbell Power Plant in south Sacramento. Working collaboratively with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the City of Sacramento, the project will convey recycled water from the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility near Elk Grove to the Campbell Power Plant. The project will provide approximately 1,000 acre-feet per year, or one million gallons per day, of recycled water in lieu of current potable water use. The recycled water will be used at the cogeneration plant’s cooling tower.
Using advanced treatment processes, the treatment plant produces high-quality recycled water that will soon be conveyed through “purple pipes” to the Campbell Power Plant, which is located approximately six miles north of the treatment plant.
Project Updates
With construction now complete, Regional San is working closely with the City of Sacramento, SMUD, and the Campbell Power Plant for operations testing of the pipeline.
Project Benefits
This project has numerous regional and environmental benefits, including:
- Conserves potable surface and groundwater supplies
- Reduces discharges of treated effluent
- Compatible with allowed uses of recycled water
- Provides a sustainable water supply for industry
- Helps to meet local, regional, state and federal water recycling goals
Project Elements
This project includes the following elements:
- Level of treatment is Title 22 tertiary recycled water.
- Recycled water will be supplied by the treatment plant.
- Project required approximately six miles of pipeline construction.
- Recycled water demand will be about 1,000 acre-feet or one million gallons per day.
Costs and Funding
The preliminary cost estimate for constructing the recycled water piping system was $15.2 million. In May 2012, the SPA Cogeneration Project received a $40,000 grant from the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s Watersmart Program to support the preparation of a feasibility study for the project.
In addition, Regional San applied for and received grants through Proposition 50, Proposition 1 and Proposition 84 totaling approximately $8,080,738 million. Regional San also secured approximately $8,182,200 in a low interest loan through the State Revolving Fund Loan Program. The grants and loan will help fund the design and construction of the project.
Funding for this $3,500,000 Regional San/SPA/City of Sacramento Water Recycling Pipeline Project – Phase 1B Project has been provided in full or in part by Proposition 1 – the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. California’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and State bond proceeds.
Here is an image of the sign that will be placed at the construction site:

Project Resources
Facilities Plan Report
Feasibility Study – January 2015
Project Map
Notice of Preparation
Project Summary
Project Timeline
Below is the timeline for the project.
Feasibility Study |
Title XVI Study |
Design |
Construction |
Start-up |
2011-2012 |
2012-2014 |
2013-2015 |
2015-2019 |
2021 |
Questions? Contact Us!
We encourage you to check back for updated project information. If you’d like to discuss this project, please contact Jose Ramirez at (916) 876-6059 or via email at ramirezj@sacsewer.com.