CHINO, CA –Today, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the Agency’s Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP-5) Expansion Project.

The RP-5 Expansion Project (Project) is made possible through multiple partnerships and will be funded in part through agreements with the State Water Resources Control Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This beneficial Project will address increased flow, projected regional growth and an anticipated increase in capacity needs by expanding the RP-5 Liquids Treatment System to 22.5 million gallons per day, and will include infrastructure for RP-5’s ultimate buildout to treat an average flow of 30 million gallons per day and a peak flow of 60 million gallons per day.

“This essential project is innovative and necessary in addressing regional growth and water reliability, increasing recycled water supply, adding drought resiliency to the region,” stated IEUA General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh. “The use of recycled water presents multiple advantages to the region: it is one of the most significant unused local water supplies; it is reliable during drought and climate change conditions; and it requires significantly less energy than imported water for deliveries, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

An additional Project feature involves relocating the Agency’s solids treatment process from the existing Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 2 (RP-2) Solids Treatment Facility.  RP-2 is located within a flood zone and is set to be decommissioned; therefore, this Project also includes constructing a new solids treatment plant at RP-5.

“IEUA’s Board of Directors have led the Agency with a vision of innovation while being pioneers in water management and environmental stewardship, including water quality, water-use efficiency, recycled water, and renewable energy in order to enhance and preserve the quality of life throughout the region. Their leadership has enabled us to move forward with this essential project,” continued Deshmukh.

View the video on our YouTube channel @ieuawater.

Funding for this project has been provided in part through agreements with the State Water Resources Control Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. California’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State bond proceeds.

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency covers 242-square miles, distributes imported water, provides industrial/municipal wastewater collection and treatment services and other related utility services to more than 875,000 people through its member agencies which include Chino, Chino Hills, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Fontana, Fontana Water Company, Montclair, Monte Vista Water District, Ontario and Upland. To learn more, visit www.ieua.org.

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