Anaheim advances water infrastructure for $4bn OC Vibe entertainment district

Anaheim advances water infrastructure for $4bn OC Vibe entertainment districtThe municipal utility is upgrading transmission mains to support a massive demand increase at the new mixed-use hub, with the developer covering the majority of off-site costs ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

The OC Vibe development is projected to increase local water demand by 7 to 9 times current levels at full build-out.

The developer opted against direct non-potable recycled water connections due to the high cost of parallel infrastructure, relying instead on potable water backed by regional groundwater replenishment.

Anaheim Public Utilities will construct three off-site transmission mains estimated at $7.5 million, with the developer reimbursing approximately 80% of the costs.

Infrastructure schedules are being accelerated to ensure major components are operational before the LA28 Olympics.

Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) has outlined the water infrastructure strategy for OC Vibe, a massive $4 billion mixed-use development surrounding the Honda Center. Principal Water Engineer Gedid Lud Sirishot told the Board that the project, which includes over 2,000 residential units, office space, and hotels, is projected to increase water demand in the specific area by 7 to 9 times current levels. To accommodate this load, the developer is constructing internal water mains which will be dedicated to the city upon completion. However, APU must upgrade the external system to ensure reliability. Sirishot identified three specific transmission main improvements required: a new main on Douglas Road, a new main on Ball Road extending from the new River Road, and an enlargement of the main on Katella Avenue. The utility estimates the design and construction of these three off-site transmission projects will cost approximately $7.5 million. Under the agreement, OC Vibe is responsible for roughly 80% of these specific costs. This figure is relatively modest compared to other large-scale regional water projects, largely because it focuses on local conveyance and interties rather than new supply creation. This is in addition to the developer funding 100% of the internal infrastructure costs and reimbursing the utility for plan checks, inspections, and service connections. The Douglas Road extension is scheduled for completion prior to the 2028 Olympics, which will utilize the Honda Center for volleyball events, while the remaining improvements will follow. Notably, the development will not utilize a direct recycled water connection despite the proximity of an Orange County Water District (OCWD) pipeline along the Santa Ana River. Sirishot explained that after evaluating the cost of constructing and maintaining "significant parallel infrastructure" for a dual-plumbing system, the developer opted to use potable water. Sirishot noted that the decision still aligns with sustainability goals because the local groundwater basin is recharged by the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) in Fountain Valley. This approach allows the project to leverage the massive existing investment in the $481 million GWRS facility—which supports countywide growth—rather than incurring the high capital expenditures typical of standalone reuse systems. Construction is proceeding on an accelerated schedule to minimize street impacts before the 2028 Games. Principal Electrical Engineer Jeremy Greeny noted that the goal is to have infrastructure installed to coincide with new roadway construction to avoid future excavation disruptions.