For more than 60 years, IRWD’s sewer system has been built to reuse what goes down the drain, treating sewage and sewer water for uses that benefit the community.
IRWD owns and maintains an expansive sewer system that includes more than 1,500 miles of pipeline, two sewage treatment plants, and a Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facility that closes the loop on the sustainable reuse of what our customers flush down the drain.
A typical sewer system is constructed of a network of pipes connecting to each building and transporting wastewater to our two water recycling plants in Irvine and Lake Forest.
Sewer systems are crucial for public health, environmental protection, and overall community well-being. They collect, move, and treat wastewater from homes and businesses to prevent the spread of disease and the contamination of groundwater and waterways.
IRWD cleans the water for use in irrigation, cooling towers, toilet-flushing and other purposes.
Solid organic material is converted into fertilizer and fuel at our Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facility.
Heat and biogas from the biosolids process are used to generate electricity to power our biosolids plant.
Sewer pipelines, manholes, pump stations, and treatment facilities.
Sewer pipes within a building and upper sewer laterals that lead from a building to the edge of its property line.
Collected by the County of Orange in a different system, traveling through street gutters to storm drains.
Channel the runoff to San Diego Creek and eventually to the ocean.
Clogged drains and sewer lines are usually the result of improper use and maintenance. Clogs of any kind can lead to sewage backing up into your home or business, spilling out onto the streets, and finding its way into storm drains and to beaches.
The Sewer Savvy program recognizes local businesses and professionals for exceptional sewer maintenance practices
IRWD’s Sewage Treatment Master Plan identifies future sewage and recycled water supply and demand projections to determine the optimal locations and methods for conveying, treating and distributing the District’s sewage and recycled water.
A core component of the master plan includes an evaluation of the Michelson Water Recycling Plant, located in Irvine and the Los Alisos Water Recycling Plant, located in Lake Forest.
The master plan also identifies capital improvement projects necessary to implement the recommendations and a corresponding implementation program for those improvements.
The District has a Sewer System Management Plan and schedule that determines the schedule for maintenance, operation and management of the sewer system.
IRWD Sewer System Management Plan
IRWD Sewer System Management Plan Appendices
