Water Factory 21 (WF21), Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), was dedicated in a 1977 and transforms secondary municipal wastewater into water that exceeds drinking water standards. In 1991, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) was granted a California Department of Health Services permit to inject 100 percent reclaimed wastewater into a potable water aquifer without blending.
In early 1997, Orange Country planned and constructed the world’s largest indirect potable reuse system which was completed in 2008. The 70 MGD facility will eventually produce 130 MGD. It employs micro filtration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation treatment.
The facility has won many awards and has demonstrated that municipal wastewater can be reclaimed for uses up to and including potable water supply. It has served as a model for other agencies and encouraged the development of water reclamation around the world.