Orange County Water District, USA
Public Water Agency of the Year
What is it?
Orange County Water District (OCWD) is the public water agency responsible for managing the groundwater supply of 20 cities and the water utilities in north and central Orange County, California.
What has it done?
In 2007 OCWD completed its 265,000m3/d Groundwater Replenishment System. It has also started work on a $22 million Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory. It continues to be involved in a number of innovative projects including the Irvine Desalter Project, the Prado Wetlands Project, and the Greenacres Project.
Why is it shortlisted?
- OCWD has not just been at the forefront of water reuse technology - it has also led the way in communicating the importance of reuse to the public.
- OCWD is involved in every aspect of groundwater protection and management. It has set the standard that all public water agencies responsible for over-exploited aquifers should aim to achieve.