Orange County, California, USA – World’s largest operating groundwater replenishment system supplying 23 cities
In a pioneering collaboration between the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) stands as a global leader in advanced water purification systems for indirect potable reuse.
Since its operational debut in January 2008, the Groundwater Replenishment System has continually purified highly treated wastewater into high quality water through a meticulous three step process — microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The result is water that meets and exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.
With a daily production capacity of 130 million gallons (492,000 million litres), the Groundwater Replenishment System is a vital component of the region’s water infrastructure, providing an annual supply sufficient to meet the needs of approximately 1 million people. This achievement is complemented by the facility’s ability to recycle 100% of local reclaimable wastewater flows, marking a significant milestone in water recycling efforts within the community.
In support of environmental sustainability, the Groundwater Replenishment System sends 30 million gallons (113 million litres) per day into injection wells, creating a seawater intrusion barrier to protect the Groundwater Basin. Simultaneously, nearly 10 million gallons (37 million litres) per day are injected directly into the Groundwater Basin to provide replenishment to a heavily pumped area of the aquifer and an additional 90 million gallons (340 million litres) per day are directed to Orange County Water District’s percolation basins. Here, the water undergoes a natural filtration process, percolating through sand and gravel to recharge the deep aquifers of the groundwater basin, thereby enhancing the local drinking water supply.
The completion of the final expansion in early 2023 further solidifies the GWRS’s commitment to maximising water recycling efforts in the region. This expansion, bringing the daily production capacity to 130 million gallons (492 million litres), represents a significant stride towards sustainable water management.
For those interested in witnessing this ground-breaking system in action, tours of the GWRS can be scheduled through https://www.ocwd.com/contact-us/book-a-tour/ .
To explore more about OCWD and OC San’s ongoing efforts in water management, please visit www.ocwd.com and www.ocsan.gov.
