Recycled Waste Water in the Santa Ana River

Orange County’s water supply is benefiting from the increased urbanization of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. During the last several years there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of treated waste water (water that was used in homes and then treated in two different treatment plants) from these two counties that has flowed into the Santa Ana River. The recycled water in the river is eventually percolated down into Orange County’s large ground-water basin for use later, thus increasing the water supply.

Here’s the trend in the amount of waste water that has flowed through the Prado Dam and into Orange County:

Estimated Recycled Waste Water Flow (In thousands of acre-feet)

1980: 46 ‘81: 50 ‘82: 80 ‘83: 80 ‘84: 95 ‘85: 100 ‘86: 110 ‘87: 110 ‘88: 125 ‘89: 120 ‘90: 125 Note: An acre-foot of water is equivalent to 325,900 gallons of water or enough to supply a family of five for one year.

Sources: Orange County Water District