Project Snapshot:

• Location: Rancho Mirage, California
• Piping Installed: 35,000+ LF HDPE
• Valves: 300+
• Applications: Circulation, filtration, chemical dosing, make-up water
• Installation Method: Butt-fused HDPE with QC verification
• Owner/Developer: Disney (Storyliving by Disney)
• Contractor: Caliagua, Inc.
• Piping Solutions Provider: ISCO Industries

Cotino is a first-of-its-kind Storyliving by Disney community in Rancho Mirage, California, with amenities that have been “infused with storytelling from Disney imagineers”.

The centerpiece is a jaw-dropping body of water known as Cotino Bay, which is the shimmering, splendid center of the community.

Without the teamwork of ISCO and Caliagua, Inc. and the use of a HDPE piping system, the vibrant turquoise oasis in the heart of the desert would not have been possible.

Lagoon Infrastructure Challenge

Caliagua was selected to deliver the complex underground piping installation and above-ground mechanical work that makes the lagoon infrastructure a fully functional, maintainable, and sustainable feature, connecting multiple machine rooms, underground vaults, and process systems into a single cohesive network, forming the backbone of the lagoon’s operation.

HDPE Piping System Installation

ISCO helped to deliver and oversee the installation of over 35,000 linear feet of fusible HDPE pipe that ranged from as small as one inch in diameter to 18-inch DR 11 pipe.  It plays a key role in the water circulation system, filtration, chemical dosing, and make-up water distribution. All HDPE joints were butt-fused using ISCO’s McElroy fusion machines and verified with digital dataloggers to ensure weld integrity and provide a permanent quality control record of every fusion.

The HDPE installation required precise routing and depth control. Caliagua coordinated daily with other contractors and utility providers to avoid conflicts with domestic water, sewer, storm drains, and dry utilities serving the surrounding homes and commercial improvements, ensuring uninterrupted progress and compliance with the overall site development plan.

In addition, more than 300 valves were involved, including butterfly, gate, and check valves, strategically located throughout the system. These valves provide sectional control, enable isolation of individual lagoon zones, allow for backwash and flushing operations, and facilitate routine maintenance without interrupting overall lagoon circulation.

Mechanical and Process System Integration

The mechanical and process systems required additional assembly and installation of above-ground mechanical piping, valve manifolds, and appurtenances located in two machine rooms and multiple underground concrete vaults, heated swim zone equipment featuring large-capacity pool heaters, automated chemical controllers, filters, and acid scrubbers.

Working closely with ISCO, Caliagua successfully delivered the Cotino Lagoon project on time and to specification. The completed facility now stands as a model of modern recreational water infrastructure, combining resort-quality amenities with industrial-grade reliability.

Key outcomes include:

• Safe and resilient operations, supported by redundant systems, seismic safeguards, and digital QC records.
• Efficient procurement and logistics, despite global supply chain challenges, with all long-lead items delivered and installed without delay.
• High-quality construction, including thousands of feet of piping, hundreds of valves, and large-capacity tanks and pumps installed to the highest standards.
• Sustainable performance, with reduced water, energy, and chemical consumption compared to traditional alternatives.

Once open, Cotino Lagoon will provide residents with a safe, controlled recreational environment for swimming, paddleboarding, and community events. By embedding industrial-grade water quality systems into a resort-style facility, the project enhances property values and creates a unique social hub that fosters community identity and engagement.

Sustainability and Environmental Performance

Closely aligning with ISCO’s attention to sustainability, Crystal Lagoons® patented water treatment technology underpins the project’s environmental stewardship. The system uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals than conventional pool systems and consumes just 2% of the energy required by traditional filtration. For Cotino Lagoon, this equates to an estimated energy savings equivalent to powering 50–75 California homes annually. Water use is also minimized, as the lagoon’s efficient water circulation system conserves millions of gallons annually.

Additional safeguards, including double-wall chlorine tanks with seismic bracing, automated dosing systems, and stormwater containment infrastructure, ensure safe operations and environmental protection. These features make Cotino Lagoon a model for sustainable recreational infrastructure in drought-prone Southern California.

As one of the first lagoons of its kind in California, Cotino sets a precedent for integrating large-scale recreational water features into urban planning without compromising sustainability. By proving that engineered water systems can achieve both safety and efficiency, the project offers a model for future developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

This field report is Co-authored by ISCO and CALIAGUA, INC.