October 21 is Imagine a Day Without Water, where people across the United States  engage in opportunities to learn about our nation’s water systems and the hard work that goes into ensuring a day without water doesn’t become a reality.

Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes from? What about where your wastewater goes? For the seventh annual “Imagine a Day Without Water,” we want to stress the importance of the water system process and systems that deliver water to your homes and businesses each day. From the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) to wastewater treatment here at OC San. As an individual, you may wonder where you fit into ensuring a day without water doesn’t become a reality in your community. It’s a daunting task, but our collective voice can make a real, lasting impact. One way you can make a difference is through education.

The Groundwater Replenishment System is a joint collaboration between OC San and Orange County Water District (OCWD), it is the world’s largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse. The system takes highly treated wastewater that would have previously been released into the Pacific Ocean and purifies it using a three-step advanced treatment process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The process produces high-quality water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.

GWRS is a state-of-the-art water purification project that can produce up to 100 million gallons of high-quality water every day. A day without water would mean that 850,000 residents in north and central Orange County would be left without this vital resource. Together, OC San and OCWD lead the way in water recycling and providing a locally controlled, drought-proof, and reliable supply of high-quality water in an environmentally sensitive and economical manner. Water is our planet’s most vital resource, and because of water treatment facilities, we are able to reclaim, treat, and reuse the available water sources that we have to help people wash their hands, flush the toilet, and drink clean water every day.

We know how important water is. It’s up to us all to keep the conversation going and ensure that the systems that deliver this valuable resource are reliable for generations to come.

For more info on how to get involved, visit https://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/