A Legacy of Water Leadership
Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) serves 950,000 residents in a 242 square mile area situated on one of the largest groundwater storage basin in Southern California. Through smart planning, thoughtful investments, and effective management of imported and local resources, IEUA meets current and future water supply needs for the region.
The Chino Basin Program (CBP) builds on the foundation of the existing IEUA wastewater treatment and recycled water systems to expand treatment capacity and recycled water access for the region. A series of system enhancements prioritize protecting human health and safety by enhancing treatment processes that will remove salt and constituents of emerging concern and ultimately double the amount of recycled water stored in the Chino groundwater basin.
The Chino Basin Program addresses local water challenges by investing in local water treatment, storage, and delivery.
Why Now?
Local Water Reliability
CBP will expand IEUA’s current recycled water program by treating and storing even more water in the Chino Basin, making the region less vulnerable to fluctuations of imported water. By investing in advanced treatment and sustainable groundwater management, the program ensures reliable, more drought-resistant water supplies for communities today and well into the future.
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Funding Availability
Capitalizing on current available funding opportunities now positions the CBP to align with California and federal policy priorities related to disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and water reliability.
Future Compliance and Regulation
The CBP is designed with advanced treatment technologies and modern water storage practices that meet and anticipate evolving state and federal water quality standards. By building capacity and flexibility into its operations, the program can adapt to future regulatory mandates while ensuring continued protection of public health and reliable water supplies.
IEUA's Expanded Regional Recycled Water Program
The CBP will improve IEUA’s existing recycled water program and secure access to future water supplies.
A series of infrastructure upgrades includes a new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), expanded replenishing wells and extraction facilities, and an expanded pipeline network. The CBP will advance critical capital improvement projects outlined in long-range plans. These enhancements will enable the delivery and storage of advanced treated recycled water in the Chino Groundwater Basin, with phased operations starting as early as 2032.
ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION FACILITY
Ensures regulatory compliance while improving water quality and reducing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
Enhancement #1
Wastewater Treatment Compliance:
Advanced Water Purification Facility
Located at IEUA’s Regional Water Recycling Plant-4 (RP-4), this facility will produce an additional 15,000 acre-feet of advanced treated water per year that will be injected to directly replenish the Chino Groundwater Basin.
Enhancement #2
Rialto Recycled Water Pipeline
Recycled water supplied from the City of Rialto, not otherwise in use, will supplement supplies of recycled water for treatment at the Advanced Water Purification Facility.
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Rialto Recycled Water Pipeline
New aquifer replenishing wells will be used to store an additional 15,000 acre-feet of advanced treated water per year generated by the new AWPF. With the future addition of new aquifer replenishing wells and expanded pipeline networks, more recycled water will be treated and stored in the Chino Groundwater Basin!​
INTRA-BASIN PIPELINE CONNECTION
Maximizes ability to use recycled water supplies and promotes secure water management
NEW WELLHEAD TREATMENT AND EXISTING WELLHEAD UPGRADES
Achieves timely improvements to optimize the use of existing supplies.
Enhancement #3
Groundwater Conjunctive Use (CBP Water Storage Investment Program Funds)
New extraction facilities will allow CBP partnering agencies to forgo imported water purchase and increase their pumping from stored groundwater.
