Regional San has completed construction on the Sacramento Power Authority Cogeneration Recycled Water Project (SPA Project). Working collaboratively with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the City of Sacramento, the project will  convey recycled water from the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant near Elk Grove, to the Sacramento Power Authority (SPA) Cogen plant in south Sacramento. The project provides 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 Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP) will produce high-quality recycled water that will be conveyed through “purple pipes” to the SPA Cogeneration plant located approximately six miles north of the SRWTP.

Construction Updates

Construction of the SPA cogeneration is now complete.  For 2020, Regional San is working closely with the City of Sacramento, SMUD, and the SPA 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 will be Title 22 tertiary recycled water
• Recycled water will be supplied by SRWTP
• 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.

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.