Hi-Desert Water District Advances GRRP and Reclaimed Water Designs with $397,000 Engineering Awards

Hi-Desert Water District Advances GRRP and Reclaimed Water Designs with $397,000 Engineering AwardsThe California utility approved contracts with West Coast Civil to bring its groundwater replenishment and reclaimed water projects to 90% design, aiming to achieve "shovel-ready" status for major infrastructure grants.

The Board approved a $270,968 contract for 90% design of the Reclaimed Water System and GRRP conveyance facilities, backed by nearly $500,000 in expected Bureau of Reclamation reimbursements.

A related $126,997 contract was awarded for a new groundwater monitoring well at the Water Reclamation Facility to track effluent travel and support Title 22 regulatory compliance.

The district is actively preparing to pursue a share of state Proposition 4 clean water grants, coordinating with consultants NV5 and Axiom to develop applications.

The Hi-Desert Water District in California is advancing its long-term water reuse strategies, approving two engineering contracts totaling nearly $397,000 during its September 2, 2026, board meeting. Both contracts were awarded to West Coast Civil, Inc. (WCC) to support the district's proposed Reclaimed Water System and Groundwater Replenishment and Reuse Program (GRRP). The primary contract, valued at $270,968, funds the 90% design phase for the reclaimed water and GRRP conveyance facilities. Under the GRRP concept, treated effluent from the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) will be discharged to percolation ponds, extracted via new wells, and pumped to existing spreading basins to supplement the district's potable water supply. Alternatively, the reclaimed water system would provide irrigation water for local customers. According to Sean McCarty, representing WCC, advancing the design to the 90% threshold will yield realistic construction estimates, bringing the projects closer to "shovel-ready" status. The district anticipates significant financial support for this design phase, with the General Manager noting that almost $500,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will reimburse the district's upfront expenditures. "The only way the reclaimed water will work is if we get grant money to fund it all, because... the cost of the water will be low enough for the town to be able to purchase water," the General Manager stated during the meeting. To support the regulatory and environmental requirements of these reuse initiatives, the board also approved a $126,997 contract for the design and construction oversight of a new groundwater monitoring well near the WRF percolation ponds. This well is essential for tracing chemical constituents in the plant effluent and ensuring compliance with state Title 22 reporting standards. Looking ahead to construction, the district is aggressively positioning itself for additional infrastructure funding. The General Manager announced that staff have begun meeting with consulting firms NV5 and Axiom to prepare applications for clean water grants expected under state Proposition 4.