They said it couldn't be done - the orange County, California experience

Abstract

The population of Orange county, California has increased more than 800 percent in the last 30 years to its present total of almost 2,000,000. In 1950, when the County's water demand already exceeded available local supplies by two to one, there were many who said that the semi-arid coastal area could never support more than one million people. Orange County has relied heavily upon imported water from the Colorado River since 1940. In the late 1960's, deliveries began through the newly completed California State Water Project, a massive system of pumps, dams and an even longer aqueduct. Last year, more than 80 percent of the County's total water supply was imported. The Orange County Water District (OCWD) has been responsible for management of the groundwater basin since 1933. The basin is operated conjunctively with imported supplies. To supplement dwindling groundwater and imported supplies, and to prevent seawater deterioration of the coastal aquifers, Water Factory 21, the world's most advanced wastewater treatment facility, was built. This internationally acclaimed facility, utilizing 21st Century technology, has a total capacity of 15 mgd (0.66 m 3/s) and features a 5 mgd (0.22 m 3/s) reverse osmosis demineralizer. Future development of Orange County will be determined by the availability of fresh water. Imported supplies will not be adequate to meet growing demands. Therefore, it is imperative that more emphasis be given to new sources, including reclaimed, wastewater and the conversion of seawater.