Land scarcity drives Inland Empire Utilities Agency toward direct aquifer recharge pivot

Land scarcity drives Inland Empire Utilities Agency toward direct aquifer recharge pivotThe California agency outlined its 2026 strategic priorities, highlighting a necessary shift away from traditional spreading basins toward advanced water purification and injection wells to secure local supply reliability.

Deputy General Manager Kevin Alexander stated that development has reduced available land for spreading basins, forcing a move to direct injection and advanced treatment.

2026 priorities include early engineering for the Rialto pipeline and advanced treatment facilities associated with the Chino Basin Program.

The agency is finalizing preliminary designs for extraction facilities and pursuing additional state funding after securing $50 million last year.

A director raised concerns regarding the RP5 expansion project, noting it is reportedly 400 days behind schedule.

Metropolitan Water District has called for the return of stored water under the Dry Year Yield program as the contract nears expiration.

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) presented its strategic implementation priorities for 2026 on January 7, signaling a major infrastructure shift driven by land constraints in the Chino Basin. During a board workshop, Deputy General Manager Kevin Alexander outlined a transition from traditional stormwater and recycled water spreading basins to direct aquifer recharge. Alexander noted that regional development has consumed available properties suitable for spreading grounds. "Down the road here, we're going to have to go to direct injection, which reduces the footprint, but requires us to go to advanced treatment," Alexander told the board. He described the agency as being at a "turning point" regarding land and cost availability. To facilitate this shift, the agency’s 2026 activities will focus heavily on the Chino Basin Program. Key engineering priorities for the year include early engineering for the Rialto pipeline and advanced treatment facilities to refine costs. Staff are also finalizing preliminary designs for extraction—or "take"—facilities. These cost refinements are intended to support an upcoming rate study and the pursuit of further state funding. Alexander noted that the agency secured $50 million in state funding last year and is targeting additional funds that have become available due to other projects falling through. On the regulatory front, the agency plans to update its energy management plan and address inflow and infiltration (I&I) issues that are consuming treatment plant capacity. Alexander also highlighted the completion of the Advanced Water Purification Facility demonstration project, which will serve to validate treatment processes for future direct injection compliance. This validation is critical, as direct recharge requires rigorous control to prevent geochemical changes that could mobilize naturally occurring minerals like arsenic or allow trace contaminants to enter the groundwater system. While the workshop focused on future planning, current capital execution drew scrutiny. Director Hofer expressed concern regarding the Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP5) expansion, stating, "Last I heard... [we are] 400 days behind." Staff acknowledged the focus on improving execution rates for capital projects in the coming year. Additionally, the agency is managing the wind-down of its Dry Year Yield (DYY) program with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). MWD has called the stored water forward as the contract terms near expiration, requiring IEUA to ensure a final extraction plan is in place.