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South Orange County Wastewater Authority reports coastal treatment-plant master-planning RFP underway
Summary
The interim general manager of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority told the council the agency has started a master‑planning, scoping and RFP process for a reimagined coastal treatment plant; the process should finish in roughly six months.
Amber Baylor, acting general manager of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA), told the Laguna Beach City Council the authority executed a reorganization agreement on Dec. 9, 2024 and is moving forward with master planning and an RFP process for the coastal treatment plant.
SOCWA staff said the master-planning, scoping and RFP work is “very expansive” and is expected to wrap up in about six months. The process will define options for treatment and recycled-water projects at the coastal facility and will include community and member‑agency engagement, Baylor said.
Why it matters: Laguna Beach is a SOCWA member and city officials said the project aims to reduce ocean impacts by rethinking coastal wastewater treatment and increasing recycled-water production. Council members thanked SOCWA staff for expediting the planning process and for prior work that shifted the agency from litigation toward water-quality and recycling priorities.
What the city said: Council member Bob Whelan and Assistant City Manager Curran were thanked for their engagement; Whelan told Baylor the city looks forward to continued collaboration on the coastal plant reimagining.
Next steps: SOCWA will continue the master-planning and RFP process and return with updates; council and staff will maintain coordination with SOCWA during the planning phase.
