Reclamation Project

One of the most effective ways to fight drought conditions is through the use of reclaimed water. Direct use of this water is primarily for irrigation. For example, parks, street medians, cemeteries, golf courses, freeway landscaping and school yards are among the areas utilizing reclaimed water. Reclaimed-water use is not limited to irrigation, though. Industrial uses include process water for paper plants and power plant cooling. According to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, its member agencies in Orange County directly reuse about 12,600 acre-feet of water per year (one acre-foot equals about 326,000 gallons). By the turn of the century, however, MWD projects the county will have increased this amount by 246%. Impressive as that percentage gain is, it lags behind some of the other urbanized counties in Southern California. Here’s a comparison of the 1990-2000 projected percentage gain in the use of reclaimed water in Orange County and the surrounding areas:

Projected Percentage Gain in the Use of Reclaimed Water by County for 1990-2000 Riverside: +52% Los Angeles: +124% Orange: +246% Ventura: +267% San Diego: +492% San Bernardino: +522% Districtwide: +165% gain Source: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California