Orange County Honored with Guinness World Record for Recycled Water

Feb. 22, 2018
100 million gal of wastewater was converted into potable water over 24 hours

In celebration of the groundwater system’s 10th anniversary, the Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System successfully converted more than 100 million gal of wastewater into potable water over 24 hours. The system was subsequently awarded the Guinness World Record for the achievement.

Such an accomplishment was more a formality for the district, as it consistently produces similar figures on a daily basis. It is likely that the replenishment system’s capacity will grow nearer 130 million gallons on any given day. The water from the facility is used to sustain the county groundwater basin, serves as a barrier that prevents seawater intrusion into the water supply and greatly reduces imported drinking water costs.

The achievement took place against a backdrop of drought-like weather that is once again ailing the state of California following the previous drought period from 2013 to 2017.

“I’m proud our agencies had the vision to implement this local solution more than a decade ago that has helped us better weather the drought, increase local water reliability and stands as a model for worldwide use,” said Denis Bilodeau, president of the Orange County Water and Sanitation Districts.

The Groundwater Replenishment System is the world’s largest facility to purify wastewater beyond state and national drinking water standards. The system is jointly operated by water and sanitation districts.

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