IRWD also has constructed two non-potable treatment plants (the Shallow Groundwater Unit and Principal Aquifer Treatment Plant) to clean up the groundwater within the vicinity of the former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. These plants remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to clean up the sub-basin, and to prevent a plume of VOCs from reaching the main Basin. In addition, IRWD operates other small wells which produce non-potable quality water from the sub-basin. Altogether, these wells can produce up to 4,100 AFY of non-potable water from the Irvine sub-basin, which can be used to supplement the IRWD recycled water distribution system.
B. Lake Forest Area Sub-Basin Pumping
IRWD also constructed and operated up to six wells within the Lake Forest area sub-basin, however the Lake Forest sub-basin has low production capability and currently none of the wells are active. Historically, IRWD has produced up to 500 AF from one of the wells but has not produced water since 2019 due to poor water quality and well maintenance issues. IRWD is evaluating the future use of other wells in this area. DWR Table 6-1 below shows IRWD’s groundwater pumped over the past five years from the Basin and the Sub-basins.
Table 6 - 1. DWR Submittal Table Retail: Groundwater Volume Pumped
Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Orange County Basin
In 2014, the Legislature enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) to address groundwater conditions throughout California. SGMA requires that all DWR designated
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IRWD – 2025 Urban Water Management Plan
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