Project Background
The Barona Band of Mission Indians (“Tribe”) has historically relied on local groundwater supplies to provide water for homes, community facilities, and Tribal operations. While groundwater remains an important resource, prolonged drought conditions, water quality challenges, and long-term supply limitations have highlighted the need for a more reliable and diversified water supply portfolio.
To address these challenges, the Tribe and Ramona Municipal Water District (“District”) have partnered to develop the Ramona-Barona Water & Recycled Water Pipelines Project (“Project”). The Project improves long-term water reliability by providing a dependable imported potable water supply, while expanding the beneficial use of recycled water for irrigation and other non-potable demands throughout Tribal Lands.
The Project supports the Tribe’s commitment to responsible resource management, environmental stewardship, and long-term community sustainability. By reducing reliance on local groundwater resources and increasing the use of recycled water, the project will enhance drought resilience, improve operational flexibility, and help meet the future water needs of the Barona community.
Through this investment in critical infrastructure, the Tribe is creating a more sustainable and resilient water system that provides lasting benefits for Tribal members, community facilities, and future generations. The Project reflects the Tribe’s proactive approach to protecting water resources while strengthening the reliability of essential services across Tribal Lands.
Construction Update
Construction of the Project began in April 2026 and remains on schedule for completion in December 2027. The project includes construction of both potable water and recycled water pipelines that provide the Barona community with a more reliable, sustainable, and resilient water supply system. Because of regulatory separation requirements between the recycled water and potable water pipelines, each pipeline must be constructed independently (i.e., common trench construction is not allowed). To date, the Contractor has been constructing the recycled water facilities, both on and off Tribal Lands.
Recycled Water Pipeline Construction (Figure 1): Significant progress has been made on the recycled water component of the Project. Construction of the recycled water pipeline within Tribal Lands has been completed. The recycled water metering station located near the Tribal boundary has also been connected for the recycled water system, enabling recycled water delivery to Tribal Lands. It is noted that pipeline construction within Tribal Lands is not within the Wildcat Canyon Road (Barona Road) right of way, thereby minimizing traffic impacts through on Wildcat Canyon Road through Tribal Lands.
Outside of Tribal Lands, construction includes installation of the recycled water pipeline between the San Vicente Water Reclamation Plant property (off Vicente Meadows Road) and the Tribal boundary. This construction has impacted the intersection of San Vicente Road and Wildcat Canyon Road for several weeks. The Contractor is currently completing the recycled water pipeline construction in Wildcat Canyon Road, including base paving of the roadway.
One of the project’s more complex features is the pipeline crossings of the Wildcat Canyon Road Bridge. Permanent installation of bridge-mounted steel pipelines (water on one side and recycled water on the other) and support hangers have been delayed because of steel pipe availability and hanger fabrication challenges. The permanent bridge-mounted potable and recycled water pipelines will be installed once the pipeline and hangers are received.
Further impacting construction north of the Wildcat Canyon bridge, the Contractor encountered unanticipated subsurface dense rock that slowed pipeline installation progress. These conditions contributed to ongoing construction activity and traffic impacts near the intersection of San Vicente Road and Wildcat Canyon Road. The Contractor has completed the recycled water construction in these areas. With respect to the recycled water pipeline, installation of the bridge pipelines and hangers remains to be completed.
Potable Water Pipeline (Figure 2): With the recycled water pipeline substantially complete, the Contractor will begin construction of the potable water pipeline on and off Tribal Lands, starting in October 2026. The potable water pipeline, similar to the recycled water pipeline, will be constructed both inside and outside Tribal Lands.
When the 16-inch potable pipeline in San Vicente road was relocated as part of the San Vicente Road realignment, the District included a stub out on Wildcat Canyon Road. This allows the potable water line to be constructed on Wildcat Canyon Road without construction impacts to San Vicente Road. However, traffic control measures continue to be required to safely manage traffic turning between San Vicente Road and Wildcat Canyon Road. Motorists should continue to expect intermittent delays as construction progresses.
Project updates, traffic advisories, and construction milestones will continue to be posted on this site, as work advances.
Project Milestones
| Construction Start | April 2026 |
| Recycled Water Pipeline, inside Tribal Lands | Complete |
| Recycled Water Pipeline, outside Tribal Lands | Substantially Complete |
| Potable Water Pipeline Construction | Progress Continuing |
| Anticipated Project Completion | December 2027 |
Project Budget
The Barona Band of Mission Indians completed design of the project in late 2025. The project was advertised for construction in January 2026. Six construction bids were received in February 2026. The Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost was advertised to be $17.5 million. The lowest responsive, responsible bid received was $16.8 million.