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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Orange County Grand Jury • 2014-2015

Increasing Water Recycling: a Win-Win for Orange County South OC Wastewater Processing South OC wastewater is processed

Published: April 29, 2015 12 pages Consolidated Report

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 8 findings

The Orange County Sanitation District processes an average of 198 million gallons per day of wastewater and sends 121 million gallons per day of secondary treated wastewater to the ocean.

The Orange County Water District receives an average of 92 million gallons per day of treated wastewater from Orange County Sanitation District and recycles 70 million gallons per day of water treated to potable water standards that is then returned to the groundwater basin aquifers.

From the 92 million gallons per day from Orange County Sanitation District the Orange County Water District recycles 7 million gallons per day of water treated to plant irrigation standards.

The Irvine Ranch Water District processes 21.9 million gallons per day of wastewater and recycles 20.2 million gallons per day for purple pipe use.

The South OC Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) processes 22.7 million gallons per day of wastewater, treats 8 million gallons per day to purple pipe standards, and sends 14.7 million gallons per day to the ocean.

The El Toro Water District, the City of San Clemente, the Santa Margarita Water District and the Trabuco Canyon Water District process a combined average total of 19.3 million gallons per day and send to the ocean 9.5 million gallons per day. The remaining 9.8 million gallons per day are used for landscape irrigation.

In north and central Orange County, the cost to create potable recycled water is $1,468 per million gallons or $1,133 less than the current cost per million gallons of imported water.

The South OC Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) cost to recycle wastewater currently exceeds the cost of imported water, however the Grand Jury believes that the cost of imported water will increase. RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the 2014- 2015 Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on its investigation of Wastewater Processing in Orange County, the 2014-2015 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following four recommendations:

Recommendations 4

R1

Orange County Sanitation District should conduct a study of possible methods of increasing the amount of processed wastewater sent to Orange County Water District, including timelines and noting any barriers that may prevent increasing flow, and implement the most cost effective method to reduce the amount of imported water to Orange County. (F.1.) (F.2.) (F.7.)
R2

Orange County Water District should conduct a study of possible methods of increasing the amount of processed wastewater and implement the most cost effective method to reduce the amount of imported water to Orange County. (F.2.) (F.3.) (F.7.)
R3

South Orange County Wastewater Authority should conduct a study of possible methods of increasing the amount of processed wastewater and implement the most cost effective method to reduce the amount of imported water to Orange County. (F. 5.) (F. 8.)
R4

The El Toro Water District, the City of San Clemente, the Santa Margarita Water District, and the Trabuco Canyon Water District should conduct a study of possible methods of increasing the amount of processed wastewater and implement the most cost effective method to reduce the amount of imported water to Orange County. (F.6.) REQUIRED RESPONSES The California Penal Code section 933 requires the governing body of any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court). Additionally, in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such elected official shall comment on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters under that elected official’s control to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code section 933.05 (a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each Grand Jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) As to each Grand Jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the Grand Jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the Grand Jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the Grand Jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary /or personnel matters over which it has some decision making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with Penal Code section 933.05 are required from: Responses Required: 1. Responses to Findings F.1., F.2. and Recommendation R.1. are required from the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District. 2. Responses to Findings F.1., F.3., F.7., and Recommendation R.2. are required from the Board of Directors of the Orange County Water District. 3. Responses to Findings F.5., F.8., and Recommendation R.3. are required from the Board of Directors of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority. 4. Responses to Findings F.6., and Recommendation R.4. are required from the Board of Directors of the El Toro Water District. 5. Responses to Findings F.6., and Recommendation R.4. are required from the Mayor of the City of San Clemente. 6. Responses to Findings F.6., and Recommendation R.4. are required from the Board of Directors of the Santa Margarita Water District. 7. Responses to Findings F.6., and Recommendation R.4. are required from the Board of Directors of the Trabuco Canyon Water District. 8. Response to Finding F.4. is required from the Board of Directors of the Irvine Ranch Water District. COMMENDATIONS The 2014-2015 Grand Jury commends the OC Sanitation District and the OC Water District for the partnership they developed to recycle wastewater for the beneficial use of north and central OC residents. Last year’s average of 77 mgpd of recycled water reduces dependence on more expensive imported water at a time when the amounts of external water supplies are stressed by the State’s prolonged drought. The 2014-2015 Grand Jury commends the Irvine Ranch Water District for the years of recycling water for landscape irrigation leadership. Last year they recycled over 92% of the wastewater they received.