In 2004, The Furman Group developed a legislative strategy that resulted in the passage of legislation that authorized the Federal Government, through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to contribute up to 25% of the cost of planning, designing and constructing the Irvine Basin Ground Water and Surface Water Improvement Project.

In an effort to protect the water quality of the San Diego Creek watershed and Upper Newport Back Bay from natural and urban surface drainage that contains fertilizers, pesticides, sediment, and pathogens, the Irvine Ranch Water District (“IRWD”) developed a Natural Treatment System of man-made wetlands to remove sediment and contaminants to ensure federal clean water standards for the Bay. In addition to the Natural Treatment System, IRWD developed a desalter and regional brine line in order to treat and reuse impaired groundwater in the area.

The de-salter project provides 4,000 acre-feet of drinking water, enough for 40,000 people per year. The brine line provides positive impacts on regional water reclamation projects, which are increasingly important as limits are imposed on water from the Colorado River and other traditional sources. The Furman Group assisted in obtaining the entire federal cost share for this project through the federal appropriations process and funds awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.