Aiding the Drought: Recycled Water Produced in Fountain Valley

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — Ever wonder how much recycled water is being created in Orange County? As of September, 2016, the answer is, more than anywhere else.

The Orange County Water and Sanitation department announced that they have been able to produce 200 billion gallons of recycled water. That statement, made by officials, is reportedly a "drop in the bucket" for the ground-breaking ability that made this venture the largest project of its kind.

The Groundwater Replenishment System is a joint venture between the OC Water District and the OC Sanitation District. They initially produced 70 million gallons of water a day, however in 2015 they added another 30 million gallons per day, pushing this into the largest project of its kind.

Official reports from the districts state that this system "currently accounts for one-third of the water that OCWD puts into the groundwater basin it manages that provides for 2.4 million people," OCWD President Cathy Green said.

The goal is to produce 130 million gallons of reused water daily, according to John Nielsen, the chairman of the OC Sanitation District's board.

The clean wastewater exceeds state and federal standards before it flows to the county's groundwater basin.

City News Service contributed to this report. Pixabay Image