Oso Water Reclamation Plant Improvement Project

Santa Margarita Water District is upgrading and refurbishing the nearly 50-year-old Oso Water Reclamation Plant to meet increasingly stringent water quality standards, improve the water quality in nearby Oso Creek, and increase its supply of sustainable, local water. 

This is one of four treatment plants owned and operated by the Santa Margarita Water District. 

Project Overview

  • March 7, 2022 through December 2023
  • $33 million investment 
  • The upgraded state-of-the-art treatment plant will treat raw wastewater to recycled water standards for irrigating common areas
  • The new advanced water treatment plant will improve the water quality in Oso Creek  
  • Enclosed and underground portions of the plant to meet the visual appeal of Mission Viejo’s Core Area Vision Plan
  • Increased sustainable, local water supply
Rendering

About the Treatment Plant 

The Oso Treatment Plant was built in 1975 and treats 1.8 million gallons of wastewater each day to recycled water standards. During the cooler months, when Mission Viejo and the surrounding communities do not require as much water, the recycled water is pumped to the Upper Oso Reservoir located near Los Alisos and the 241 for storage until warmer, dryer weather arrives, and water demands are higher. 

There are three main steps to treat raw wastewater to safe recycled water standards:   

  1. Primary, or the physical processing where the solids are separated from the liquids
  2. Secondary, or the biological processing substantially degrade the biological content of the waste through aerobic biological processes.
  3. Tertiary, or recycled water is the processing of treating the water to Title 22 standards through chlorination. 

It takes roughly 24 hours to treat wastewater and convert it to usable recycled water. Recycled water has been used safely in the United States since 1929. It’s used for watering common areas, medians, parks, sports fields, and refilling Lake Mission Viejo. 

Nearly all our drinking water in south Orange County imported from hundreds of miles away through a sophisticated system of pipelines, reservoirs, pumps, and more. It’s far too valuable to use just once. One day, recycled water may be a source of safe drinking water for the region. 

Oso Treatment Plant

The Improvement Project

The improvement project includes a largely enclosed, sophisticated water treatment plant that can treat up to 3.3 million gallons of wastewater per day to recycled water standards; an advanced water treatment facility – like the one used to fill Lake Mission Viejo - that can treat one million gallons of Oso Creek urban runoff water to improve the water quality; and new buildings for administration, warehouse space, and parking.  The architecture and color elements will blend with the surrounding landscape and fit in with visual character of Mission Viejo.    

Phase 1: March 7 – June 30, 2022

  • Demolition of existing treatment plant and buildings
  • Crews will work efficiently from 7 AM to 3:30 PM to complete the work; no weekend, holiday or night work is anticipated 
  • Increased noise is expected while excavators break up the concrete structures and dump trucks haul away the debris

Phase 2: July 2022- October 2023

  • Treatment plant construction and upgrades

Phase 3: January – December 2023

  • Administrative and warehouse construction 
  • Paving and restoration 

SMWD is also working with the City of Mission Viejo as it begins the development of its Core Area Vision Plan for the shopping center located on the west side of Oso Creek opposite the treatment plant location.  

Supporting Documents