Orange County's innovative recyled water project
Infographic: The Orange County Water Revolution Orange County's Wate...
Orange County's Water Revolution
How the world's largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse transformed a looming crisis into a sustainable future.
A Region on the Brink
Situated in a naturally dry region, Orange County faced a severe water crisis. Decades of over-pumping groundwater led to depleted aquifers, while the threat of seawater intrusion from the Pacific Ocean risked contaminating the remaining freshwater supply, jeopardizing the water source for millions.
Aquifer Overdraft
Water was being extracted faster than it could be naturally replenished, causing land to sink and wells to run dry.
Seawater Intrusion
Falling groundwater levels allowed saltwater to creep into coastal aquifers, threatening to permanently ruin freshwater wells.
The 3-Step Purification Journey
The Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), a collaboration between the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District, uses a state-of-the-art, multi-barrier process to turn wastewater into water that is near-distilled in quality and exceeds drinking water standards.
1. Microfiltration
Hollow fibers with microscopic pores filter out suspended solids, bacteria, and protozoa from pre-treated wastewater.
2. Reverse Osmosis
Water is forced through extremely fine membranes, removing dissolved salts, viruses, and pharmaceuticals.
3. UV Light & Peroxide
An advanced oxidation process using high-intensity UV light and hydrogen peroxide disinfects and destroys any trace organic compounds.
Scaling a Water Revolution
Growth in Capacity & Population Served
The GWRS has undergone two major expansions since 2008 to meet growing water demands, significantly increasing its output and the number of people it serves.
Investment in Water Security
Each construction phase represented a significant investment in the region's water independence, funded by a mix of local, state, and federal sources.
A Sustainable & Secure Water Future
Contribution to Water Supply
The GWRS is now a cornerstone of Orange County's water portfolio, providing over a third of the water needed to replenish the groundwater basin.
Key Benefits & Water Distribution
The purified water is strategically used to bolster the region's water security by creating a protective barrier against seawater and recharging the main groundwater basin, which supplies water to 2.5 million people.
30 MGD to Seawater Barrier
Injected along the coast to block saltwater intrusion.
100 MGD to Recharge Basins
Percolates into the ground to replenish the aquifer, naturally filtering for months.
50% Less Energy
The GWRS uses half the energy of importing water from Northern California or the Colorado River.
A Collaborative Investment
The GWRS was made possible by a diverse coalition of funding partners at the local, state, and federal levels, demonstrating broad recognition of the project's strategic importance. This shared investment made the monumental undertaking feasible.
| Project Phase | Total Cost | Key Funding Source | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial (2008) | $481 Million | State Water Resources Control Board | $162 Million (Loans) |
| Metropolitan Water District | $86.2 Million (Subsidy) | ||
| U.S. Bureau of Reclamation | $20 Million (Grant) | ||
| Expansion (2015) | $142 Million | State Water Resources Control Board | $137 Million (Loan) |
| Dept. of Water Resources | $1 Million (Grant) | ||
| Final Expansion (2023) | $284 Million | State Water Resources Control Board | Up to $186 Million (Loans) |
| Dept. of Water Resources | $3.6 Million (Grant) |
Winning Hearts & Minds
60,000+
People Toured the Facility
Directly showing the public the purification process was key to building trust and dispelling myths.
17,000+
People Engaged in Taste Tests
The #GetOverIt campaign and bottled water tours proved the water's quality, changing perceptions one sip at a time.
80+
International Awards
The project is globally recognized for its innovation in engineering and water reuse, serving as a model for the world.
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