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The Orange County Water District (OCWD) was recently honored with the Sandor C. Csallany Institutional Award by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) for their exemplary contributions to water resources and management. In receiving the award OCWD was recognized for its creative vision and implementation of water reuse and its successful groundwater management.
Sandor C. Csallany, Ph.D. was a former professor and director of the hydrology program at Western Kentucky University. He was a founder of the American Water Resources Association, co-founder of the International Water Resources Association, and co-founder of the American Institute of Hydrology. Csallany passed away earlier this year at the age of 88. The Sandor C. Csallany Institutional Award for Exemplary Contribution to Water Resources Management is presented annually by the American Water Resources Association.
Founded in 1933, OCWD focuses on recharging, monitoring and purifying groundwater as its three main ways to protect and manage groundwater supplies in north and central Orange County. Surface water is collected from a variety of sources. It is added into the Orange County Groundwater Basin via a system of pumps, pipelines, levees, and filters. The basin is managed by OCWD. The district works to maintain sustainable water levels in the basin, preventing seawater intrusion and continuous tests water quality in order to monitor and protect the region’s water supplies.
In addition, OCWD’s wetlands are used to purify water naturally. The district’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the largest water purification system of its kind worldwide, purifies wastewater to supplement drinking water supplies. The GWRS has been operational since 2008 and has already produced over 200 billion gallons of water.
Treated wastewater that would have previously been discharged into the Pacific Ocean is purified to meet and exceed state and federal drinking water standards through the GWRS. In 2015, the GWRS increased its water production from 70 million gallons a day (MGD) to 100 MGD and is currently working towards further expansion. The plan for the final expansion is to increase production by another 30 MGD, to produce 130 MGD — enough water for more than 1 million people.
“I believe OCWD has remained a leader in water resource management because we are always looking far into the future,” stated Cathy Green, OCWD President. “Our board and staff are committed to researching, testing and challenging methods and to finding more and better ways to help protect, conserve and expand our region’s water supplies. We are honored to be recognized by the American Water Resources Association for our holistic and forward-thinking approach to groundwater management and advancements in water reuse.”
OCWD is dedicated to proactive public outreach, engagement and education. The GWRS serves as a model for successful water reuse programs around the globe.
Approximately 4,000 guests visit the public agency and its plant annually to learn about the project. It has served as a blueprint for other agencies to replicate advanced water purification technologies in their communities. OCWD is regarded for setting an industry standard for advanced water purification projects by using a three-step process of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide that results in the highest quality water.
