Vital funding is now available for a nearly $19 million groundwater treatment facility expected to provide better water for thousands of Camarillo residents.

The City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday night to accept a $5.5 million grant from Proposition 50, which was approved by California voters in 2002 to fund water projects.

The money will help cover the cost of the plant, which will pump and treat groundwater with high levels of iron, manganese and salts, city officials said. The rest of the cost will be paid for out of the city's capital improvement budget.

Vice Mayor Charlotte Craven said the city has received complaints from City of Camarillo water customers about the smell and taste of water for more than 20 years.

"We're trying to get it so everybody gets water that tastes good and smells good," Craven said. "Once this thing comes through, I think everybody in town's going to be happy."

Camarillo officials began conceptual planning for the facility at least 10 years ago but sidelined the idea because the project cost too much, Craven said.

"It was out of reach," she said. "This grant will make it possible" to complete the project.

The $5.5 million comes from a larger $25 million grant awarded to the Watersheds Coalition of Ventura County, a group of water agencies, cities and various other entities.

Camarillo's project is one of 11 in the county that will be funded by the grant. The county, cities and water districts will aim to use the money to improve habitat, flood control and water quality in three of the county's watersheds.

The council's decision authorized City Manager Jerry Bankston to sign an agreement between the city and county to accept the grant. The grant will be used to reimburse the city for money spent on the facility.

Only City of Camarillo water customers — about 12,700 residential and business accounts — will receive the treated groundwater, said Tom Smith, the city's water superintendent. Camarillo's water customers are west of Calleguas Creek.

City officials are testing various technologies at a "pilot plant" to determine what technology the facility should have.

Most likely, the plant could have reverse-osmosis technology, which can effectively dissolve salts, irons and manganese in groundwater, Deputy Public Works Director Lucie McGovern said.

Under terms of the funding agreement, the facility must be fully operational by mid-2012, but it should be built by December 2010, McGovern said.

The facility's site could be on 3 acres near the Camarillo Library on Las Posas Road.

Officials are negotiating with property owners to acquire the land, McGovern said.