High-Water Mark: Indirect Potable Reuse With A 92% Recovery Rate

By R. Bruce Chalmers

Why import water when you can recycle it (to unprecedented levels)?

Established in 1959, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) manages the groundwater resources of the Central and West Coast Groundwater Basins of California. Management includes maintaining adequate groundwater supplies, preventing seawater intrusion into the underground aquifers, and protecting groundwater quality against contamination. WRD provides water to spreading facilities and three seawater intrusion barriers, including the Alamitos seawater barrier. WRD imports potable water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), and produces advanced treated recycled water from the Leo J. Vander Lans water treatment facility (LVLWTF).