Ocean Outfall
About the ocean outfall
A new ocean outfall is a critical component of the VenturaWaterPure Program, as it allows for the disposal of concentrate generated by the new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), diverts wet weather flows that exceed AWPF treatment capacity, provides an emergency backup disposal in case the AWPF is offline. Read the press release.
For additional information, view Frequently Asked Questions below.
Construction details
To limit community impacts, the outfall will be constructed through a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) process.
- Offshore Segment: The HDD will push a pipe through a hole starting in Marina Park that will run under the park and ocean floor to emerge approximately 2000- 4000 feet offshore. The outfall pipe will then continue along the ocean floor until it reaches an approximate water depth of 50 feet.
A separate HDD will push a pipe from Marina Park under the Harbor to Anchors Way, connecting the pipe with the Onshore Segment. - Onshore Segment: The pipe from Marina Park will then connect with pipelines that will be trenched along Anchors Way, Schooner Drive, and Harbor Boulevard.
For safety and to limit community impacts, sound walls and temporary fencing will contain most of the construction activities. Public access to the beach, walking paths, and the Leo Robbins Sailing Center will be maintained.
Estimated schedule
- Construction schedule: September 2023 through July 2024 (major work activities at Marina Park are anticipated to be completed by May 2024).
- Work hours: Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Note: critical work activities may occur for limited 24-hour intervals.
Contact us
Leave a message with our Construction Management Team at 805-500-8103.
Visit our Construction Updates webpage for the latest information on construction activity.
Project background
The City of Ventura is pursuing VenturaWaterPure, a purified recycled water project that will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary. This project will divert treated water from Ventura’s wastewater treatment facility to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), 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. The VenturaWaterPure project will allow the City to meet legal and regulatory requirements, improve water quality, and secure a new local source of drinking water that is drought resilient.
Recent Community Meetings
- Virtual Presentation
- Monday, August 21, at 6:00 p.m.
- Download a copy of the presentation
- Watch the recording
- Ventura Marina Mobile Home Park HOA Meeting
- Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
- Download a copy of the presentation
- Pierpont Bay Community Council Special Meeting
- Thursday, July 27, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- Download a copy of the presentation
- Watch the recording
- Why is a new ocean outfall needed?
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An outfall is needed to discharge concentrate generated by the new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), as part of the VenturaWaterPure, potable reuse project. Additionally, the outfall will support wet weather flows that exceed the AWPF capacity and in event of an AWPF shutdown.
- Will the outfall have negative impacts to the environment or wildlife?
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The outfall was designed to mitigate any potential impacts to the environment and wildlife. The impacts were evaluated in the Ventura Water Supply Projects Environment Impact Report, and the City will comply with all identified mitigation measures.
- When will construction of the outfall take place?
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The ocean outfall and pipeline installation is expected to take approximately 11 months to complete. The project has two (2) segments:
- Offshore segment: There will be two (2) horizontal directional drill locations. One at Marina Park and one near the Ventura Port District across the Harbor. Work at Marina Park is expected to be completed by May 2024.
- Onshore segment: The pipeline installation will be within Anchors Way, Schooner Drive, and Harbor Boulevard to the existing Ventura Water Reclamation Facility. This work is expected to be completed by July 2024.
- How was the location of the outfall determined?
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A very thorough evaluation took place prior to selecting the Marina Park location, including a study to evaluate the use of existing outfalls that were previously abandoned. Ultimately Marina Park was the only location that avoided subsurface obstructions and fault lines, provided enough construction workspace, and would increase the overall protection for the pipelines offshore. Additional information on that evaluation is discussed in the Ventura Water Supply Projects Environmental Impact Report.
- What are the impacts to Marina Park?
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A portion of Marina Park will be closed for drilling equipment and pipeline construction. The drilling equipment will be enclosed in a 24-foot sound wall perimeter for potential noise mitigation. In addition, a portion of the parking lot will be closed for contractor staging, pipe storage, and assembly.
Access to the walking paths will be maintained as well as access to the Leo Robbins Sailing Center.
After construction is completed, the park will be restored to its pre-construction condition. Expected completion date is by Memorial Day 2024.
- What other construction impacts will there be to the Pierpont and Harbor Communities?
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Impacts to the Pierpont community will include those consistent with typical construction activities, notably increased traffic of heavy construction equipment and noise. To mitigate these impacts, work activities will only occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and sound barriers will be placed around work sites.
Community members will notice increased construction vehicle traffic in active working areas. There will be lane closures and detours as needed. Please follow all construction signage and drive carefully near work areas. Access to residential driveways and businesses will be maintained at all times.
- What is being discharged into the ocean?
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The Ocean Outfall allows for the disposal of reverse osmosis concentrate (i.e. concentrated "purple pipe" water that is typically used for irrigation) generated by the new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), diverts wet weather flows that exceed AWPF treatment capacity, and provides an emergency backup disposal in case the AWPF is offline. All discharge from the outfall must comply with permits that the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board will issue.
The discharge permits require the water quality discharged be protective of both aquatic and human health.