About Encina Wastewater Authority
The Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA) is a public agency located in Carlsbad, California. EWA provides wastewater treatment services to more than 379,000 residents in northwestern San Diego County. EWA’s facilities and services are essential for protecting the local ocean environment, preserving public health, and providing valuable water resources for the region.
EWA is owned by six public agencies governed by a Joint Powers Agreement. Under this Agreement, owners share in the operational and management costs of EWA, the objective being to cooperatively fund economical and high-tech facilities. The six owners are: the City of Carlsbad, City of Vista, City of Encinitas , Vallecitos Water District, Buena Sanitation District, and the Leucadia Wastewater District.
Mission Statement
As an environmental leader, EWA provides reliable and fiscally responsible wastewater services to the communities we serve while optimizing the use of renewable resources.
Vision Statement
To be a leader in waste resource management for the communities we serve.
Organizational Values
We are guided in our daily decisions and activities by these values:
- Integrity: We are open, honest, and ethical in all our communications and actions.
- Respect: We give thoughtful consideration to each other's differences and opinions.
- Valuing People: We are committed to collaboration and teamwork as we work to remain an employer of choice.
- Ownership: We are empowered to take the initiative while embracing new technologies and sustainable business practices.
- Responsibility: We are accountable for our behaviors, actions, and use of the public resources entrusted to our stewardship.
- Leadership: We lead by example and provide opportunities for advancement.
Facilities
EWA was founded in 1961. It operates and maintains the Encina Joint Sewerage System, which includes the:
- Encina Water Pollution Control Facility.
- Encina Ocean Outfall.
- Agua Hedionda and Buena Vista Pump Stations.
EWA also manages and operates other regional water recycling and pumping facilities for their owners, including the Carlsbad Water Reclamation Facility, Buena Creek Pump Station, and the Raceway Basin Pump Station. The EWA System represents a significant infrastructure investment. Since 1980, the members of the Joint Powers Authority have invested over $600 million to protect the economy and quality of life for North County residents and businesses.
Performance
EWA’s pledge is to be a model of excellence and innovation. This pledge is exemplified with its commitment to meet or exceed the requirements of its ocean-discharge permit 24-hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. The result: Encina has achieved over 3,000 consecutive days of compliance. Meeting these high standards calls for a workforce that is not only highly qualified and trained, but certified to perform their technical and managerial duties.
Recognition
EWA’s achievements have consistently been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the water industry, receiving over 40 awards during the past decade. For example:
- The EPA has recognized EWA as a national leader in green power production since 2011.
- The California Water Environment Association named the Encina Water Pollution Control Facility “California’s Plant of the Year” in 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2017.
- The EPA recognized EWA’s Biosolids Management Program as the nation’s best in 2006.
The Future
EWA uses comprehensive planning efforts to provide exceptional service for the foreseeable future. For more information, refer to our Sound Planning documents.
