Groundwater Replenishment System

The California Department of Water Resources predicts that by 2020, the entire state will experience water shortages equal to the needs of 4 to 12 million families of four for one year. To meet growing demand and reduce reliance on water imported from northern California and the Colorado River, the Orange County Water District developed the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System that takes highly treated sewer water and purifies it to levels that meet state and federal drinking water standards. GWR System water will be between 35% to 75% cheaper than water produced by seawater desalination and the purification process will consume about half the energy.

Photos courtesy of Orange County Water District