The city has commenced building a water reclamation facility (WRF) to replace the 68-year-old morro BAY-cayucos wastewater treatment plant (wwtp)

The City of Morro Bay received a $43.7 million Cooperative Agreement from the Bureau of Reclamation under the Water Recycling and Desalination Construction Programs (CFDA 15.504) awarded on April 10, 2025. The award funds construction and implementation of a Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) project designed to replace a 68-year-old wastewater treatment plant. The WRF incorporates three primary infrastructure components: (1) a new water resources center featuring advanced treatment processes including membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation; (2) conveyance pipelines and pump stations to transport wastewater, treated effluent, and recycled water; and (3) recycled water facilities consisting of injection wells and distribution pipelines to recharge the Morro Basin aquifer and offset potable water demand.

The project deliverables encompass contract support for program and administrative management services, hydrogeologic planning and analysis services, and environmental and regulatory compliance services, along with construction of the advanced water purification facility. The cooperative agreement, which extends through September 30, 2027, is co-funded through California State Revolving Fund and Environmental Protection Agency Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans. The initiative prioritizes production of high-quality purified recycled water while protecting biological resources and enhancing land and biodiversity conservation through innovative water reuse technology.

Activities

The WRF project consists of three (3) components, each including recycled water elements. The primary components of the WRF project are: 1. Water resources center a new wwtp or WRF, including full advanced treatment (i.e., membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation treatment processes). 2. Conveyance pipelines and pump stations to convey wastewater to the water resources center, treated effluent to the citys existing ocean outfall, and advanced purified recycled water to the recycled water facilities. 3. Recycled water facilities injection wells and recycled water pipelines to recharge the morro basin and offset the need for potable water.projected deliverables or outcomes: objective 1: contract support for program and administrative management services. Objective 2: contract support for hydrogeologic planning and analysis services. Objective 3: contract support for environmental and regulatory compliance services. Objective 4: construct advanced water purification facility. Objective 5: construct conveyance pipeline. Objective 6: prepare design plans and specifications for injection and monitoring well drilling. Objective 7: procure contractor for injection and monitoring well drilling. Objective 8: drill injection and monitoring wells. Objective 9: prepare design plans and specifications for recycled water pipeline construction and injection well equipping. Objective 10: procure contractor for recycled water pipeline construction and injection well equipping. Objective 11: construct recycled water pipelines and equip injection wells. Objective 12: contractual support for construction support activities.

Intended beneficiaries

The WRF project incorporates advanced treatment technology to produce purified water that meets indirect potable reuse standards for replenishing and reusing groundwater. The treatment facility has been designed and constructed with a capacity of 0.97 million gallons per day (MGD), which will be capable of producing up to 887 acre-feet per year (AFY) of advanced purified water at full build-out of the city for injection into the lower morro valley groundwater basin (morro basin) and for non-potable irrigation uses. The infusion of advanced purified water into the morro basin will protect against seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination and provide a reliable water supply for the city s growing needs without causing harm to the environment. This ECO-efficient facility is a valuable opportunity for the community. Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): n a