Published: Mar 06, 2014 | 09:00 AM

Gates Protect Irvine Ranch Water District Water Recycling Plant

While weather-watchers awaited the arrival of last week’s storms, crews at the IRWD Michelson Water Recycling Plant installed flood gate panels in one of seven openings placed around the plant.

“We were not at a stage where the gates were required, but thought it would be a good opportunity for training,” said Operations Supervisor Dave Hayden. “The gate was set up in 17 minutes, a new all time record.”

Expansion of the water recycling plant began in the fall of 2009 and construction of the flood wall was included in the project because of possible flooding from adjacent San Diego Creek during storms. It was necessary to drive 3,000 reinforced 50-foot long concrete piles around the perimeter of the plant and the San Joaquin Marsh to stabilize the wall.

The wall includes seven gateways into which gate panels can be installed in the event of the San Diego Creek overflowing its banks. This could put the wastewater treatment plant and the marsh campus in jeopardy of flooding. In addition, raw sewage could dump into the creek during flooding if the treatment plant became inoperable.

Two gates remain in place at the rear of the plant at the boundary of the San Joaquin Marsh.

More information on IRWD construction projects is available on our website.