For Water Subcommittee Meeting August 28, 2025
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Update on the City of Rialto/IEUA Agreement Relating to the Long-Term Sale of Wastewater Effluent for Recycled Water Purposes.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Rialto operates a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) that treats domestic sewage and generates recycled water, discharging it into the Santa Ana River. The WWTP produces about 7 million gallons of recycled water daily, with a maximum treatment capacity of 11.7 million gallons per day. The Santa Ana River is vital for local ecosystems, and the City is required to discharge 3.8 million gallons per day of recycled water to support this ecosystem. However, the City's recycled water system uses a concrete-lined drainage channel, and during summer months, the increased temperature of the water may harm the river’s sensitive ecosystem.
The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), which serves a large region in western San Bernardino County, is focused on improving local water resources and reducing dependence on imported water. Despite having a supply of 56,800 acre-feet per year of recycled water, IEUA faces a shortfall of up to 6,000 acre-feet per year during the summer.
To address this issue, on March 8, 2022, the City of Rialto/RUA approved a Principles of Agreement with the Inland Empire Utility Authority (IEUA) that outlined the framework for compensation by IEUA to the City, and IEUA capital improvement contributions for the required infrastructure to convey the water needed by IEUA. The Principles of Agreement served as the foundation for the more detailed Term Sheet that the City Council would later consider.
On September 27, 2022, the Rialto City Council/RUA approved a Final Agreement Term Sheet with IEUA relating to the long-term sale of wastewater effluent for recycled water purposes.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Stephen Dopudja, with Dopudja Wells, Inc., will provide an update on the progress of the City of Rialto/IEUA effluent project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
IEUA Phase 1 Construction PDB Award_PowerPoint