Written by Sebastian Acosta
As it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, Lake Miramar will become a key component of San Diego’s $5 billion Pure Water system that will maximize the use and reuse of the city’s own water supply.
Portions of the lake will be closed for the construction of the Pure Water system. Additionally, a pipeline will run through the Scripps Ranch community to connect Lake Miramar with the new North City Pure Water Facility in eastern La Jolla, where sewage will be transformed into purified drinking water. At its completion, the treatment plant will supply sustainable water to one-third of San Diego’s residents.
Currently, 85 percent of San Diego’s water is imported from the Colorado River and California State Water Project. Only 8 percent of the city’s wastewater is beneficially reused. Imported water is pumped to Lake Miramar and then treated at the Miramar Water Treatment Plant.
Once construction is complete, the lake’s water will all be recycled water from the aforementioned North City Pure Water Facility. Before reaching homes and businesses, the water will go through a second treatment process at Miramar.
“We celebrate not only Miramar Reservoir’s past, but the critical role it will play when the Pure Water system is completed,” said Shauna Lorance, director of Public Utilities for San Diego. “Miramar will continue to be a key part of our water system for many years to come.”
