Cal Poly Water Reclamation & Infrastructure Improvements

Wallace Group, in collaboration with HydroScience and GSE Construction, proudly led the design-build of a 0.5 MGD packaged Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) at Cal Poly. This state-of-the-art facility uses membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology and UV disinfection to produce tertiary-treated, Title 22-compliant recycled water—a vital resource for sustainable campus operations.

Key features of the WRF include:

• A new lift station and 6,300 linear feet of forcemain
• A 62-acre-foot lined earthen reservoir
• A floating barge-style recycled water pump station

Strategically located near the university’s Swine Unit, the facility also integrates agricultural waste into the treatment process. Swine waste is now captured and treated alongside domestic wastewater, significantly improving the previous pond-based system and enhancing environmental stewardship.

To support environmental compliance, Wallace Group conducted hydraulic analyses of multiple ephemeral drainages and watersheds across the 60-acre project area. These studies informed the site drainage strategy and facilitated permitting with local and state agencies.

Water Infrastructure Improvements Project (WIIP)

In alignment with Cal Poly’s 2035 Master Plan, Wallace Group and its partners also delivered the Water Infrastructure Improvements Project (WIIP)—a comprehensive upgrade to the campus’s aging water systems to support a projected 15,000 on-campus residents.

Phase 1: Strategic Planning & Modeling

Our team conducted a detailed system analysis to determine storage and pumping needs for operational, emergency, and fire flow demands. Using a refined hydraulic model—based on field data, hydrant testing, and stakeholder input—we developed innovative solutions to:

• Eliminate unnecessary pump stations
• Re-route the main feed line to leverage existing infrastructure
• Relocate the proposed reservoir to reduce construction costs

Phase 2: Design & Implementation

Working closely with Cal Poly stakeholders and the construction team, we delivered a fully coordinated design package that included:

• A new 12-inch water main serving the entire campus
• A 2.1 MG concrete storage reservoir
• A packaged booster pump station with four 1,000 gpm VFD-controlled pumps
• Upgraded electrical systems, controls, and piping
• Construction is currently underway, with the upgraded infrastructure poised to support Cal Poly’s long-term growth and sustainability goals.