About Us

The East County Advanced Water Purification Program is a collaborative effort between Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the City of El Cajon, the County of San Diego and Helix Water District. It will create a new, local, sustainable and drought proof drinking water supply using state-of-the-art technology to purify East County's recycled water. This water recycling opportunity will diversify East County's water supply, reduce our dependence on imported water and produce up to 30 percent of East County's current drinking water needs. View an informative video about the program.

The Delivery Process
Produces up to 30 percent of East San Diego Countys water supply

WHY THE PROGRAM IS NEEDED

  • California is facing unpredictable precipitation and more frequent droughts
  • The cost of imported water is expected to continue to rise
  • Imported water and wastewater treatment is subject to rising costs out of the local water agencies’ control
  • Imported water requires an enormous amount of energy to transport
  • Imported water travels from hundreds of miles away from the Sacramento Bay Delta and the Colorado River
  • Importing water siphons water from sensitive ecosystems
  • Most of East County’s drinking water is imported
  • Treated wastewater is discharged into the ocean when it can be reused in east county

BENEFITS

  • Creates a new, local, reliable and drought-proof drinking water supply
  • It’s a smart investment - the cost is expected to be competitive with imported water
  • Produces up to 30 percent of East County’s drinking water supply
  • Reduces East County’s reliance on the City of San Diego’s Metropolitan Wastewater System
  • Sustains East County’s economy and quality of life

Check out the latest implementation steps of the Project in the Project Executive Overview.

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