AWWA ACE60023

Rapidly growing population and urbanization have created an increasing consumptive demand on the region's groundwater resources. As one of its primary methodologies to conserve and recharge groundwater, Orange County has developed an extensive and expanding countywide Reclamation and Reuse System that uses highly treated reclaimed water as an alternate water resource. Since 1986, the County has reused 100% of the reclaimed water produced by its system for beneficial purposes. On an average day, the County's varied system produces approximately 45 million gallons of reclaimed water for beneficial applications. These uses include: agricultural, commercial and residential irrigation; groundwater recharge through rapid infiltration basins (RIBs); cooling water for power generation; and, wetland enhancement. The County continues to responsibly expand the use of reclaimed water through the implementation of proven and new innovative reuse applications for conservation, recharge, and environmental enhancement purposes. This paper provides an overview of Orange County's existing Reclamation and Reuse System, and its planned expansion projects. Includes table, figure.