Toilet-to-Tap: It’s A Good Thing

California, which is the number one food and agricultural producer in the United States, is in the third year of one of the state’s worst droughts in a century. This has led to an increase in wildfires, losses in agriculture, and water restrictions and shortages. Some small communities even run the risk of running out of water.

But not in Orange County, California. The Orange County Water District utilizes a pioneering wastewater treatment process that converts sewage waste into drinking water. And its business is booming. The plant is expanding in order to provide 100 million gallons of drinking water per day – enough for 850 thousand people. The plant’s output is mixed with regular groundwater, and currently serves 70% of the county’s residents.

Mike Markus is the general manager at the Orange County Water District.

“What we have done as groundwater managers here in Orange County is we have helped develop a reliable source of water for our groundwater basin. And we have done that by embracing recycled water and using that as a major source of supply for the groundwater basin.”

Orange County has been recycling sewage water since the 1970s, but only began contributing to the drinking water supply in 2008. The water exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.

The water crisis is not unique to California – it’s a global problem. According the U.N., 700 million people currently suffer from water scarcity. And by 2030, that number will jump to 50% of the world’s population. The Orange County Water District could represent a model solution for a global problem.

It’s time for all of us to consider embracing this technology in our communities.

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