Frequently Asked Questions

VenturaWaterPure is a purified recycled water, also known as potable reuse, program that will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary.

This program will divert treated water from Ventura’s wastewater treatment facility to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility, where the water will be treated to drinking water standards and then injected into a local groundwater basin for storage, and later extracted and delivered to customers.

Advanced purification involves multiple treatment processes. This treatment begins at the existing Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF), which will be upgraded with Membrane Bioreactors and an Ultraviolet (UV) Light disinfection system. This treated water will then be sent to the new Advanced Water Purification Facility, which will further treat water using Reverse Osmosis (RO), additional Ultraviolet Light, and Advanced Oxidation (UV / AOP).  This proven approach, known as potable reuse, is currently used throughout California, other States, and internationally and is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water. 

The VenturaWaterPure Program includes a network of infrastructure designed to recover, treat and reuse water that was previously discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary.

STEP 1. Currently, wastewater from the City of Ventura is sent to the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF), where it’s treated and cleaned before being discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary. The VWRF is being upgraded with a Membrane Bioreactor and Ultraviolet (UV) Light disinfection, which will provide a higher quality of water than currently produced.

STEP 2. Water from the VWRF is sent to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) for reuse. Using a scientifically proven process, the AWPF will treat water to drinking-water standards, creating a reliable, locally controlled, and high-quality water source. 

STEP 3.  The purified water will then be injected into a local groundwater basin and later distributed to Ventura Water customers.

The concentrate generated during the treatment process will be sent to an ocean outfall for disposal.

The VenturaWaterPure program will allow Ventura to meet legal requirements, improve water quality, and secure a new local source of drinking water that is drought resilient. Program benefits include:

• Drought Resistant. Creates a drought-resistant, reliable water supply that isn’t dependent on rain.
• High-Quality. Provides a high-quality drinking water supply that meets and exceeds water quality standards.
• Environmentally Protective. Meets regulatory requirements by reducing water discharge into the estuary, creating a natural environment that can support endangered species. 

VenturaWaterPure will produce approximately 3,600 AFY of new locally controlled water supply by 2027 and up to 5,400 AFY by 2032.

1. Membrane Bioreactor/UV: New treatment at the VWRF that provides high-quality water for the new AWPF, existing reuse customers, and discharges to the Santa Clara River Estuary.  
2. Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF):  a new facility to treat wastewater from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF) to drinking water standards.  
3. Land: land required for the AWPF facility and groundwater injection sites. 
4. Injection/Extraction Wells:  groundwater wells for injection and extraction of purified water.  
5. Pipelines: to convey treated water between the VWRF and AWPF and from the AWPF to the injection wells. 
6. Pump Stations:  required to transport water at multiple steps in the treatment process. 
7. Ocean Outfall:  new infrastructure needed to discharge concentrate generated