Orange County Water District Secures Major Federal Grant For Nation's Largest PFAS Treatment Program

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) has been awarded a $30M grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) as part of the WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Act. This funding, provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designated for OCWD's PFAS treatment program to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from local groundwater.

OCWD President Denis R. Bilodeau, P.E., stated, “As a leader in water quality and groundwater management, OCWD is committed to ensuring safe and reliable water for the 2.5 million residents in our service area. This grant aids our ongoing efforts to expand PFAS treatment facilities throughout Orange County.”

The $30M grant, the largest awarded among the 18 projects by the USBR, follows a competitive evaluation that highlighted OCWD as a top applicant. These funds will advance the District’s efforts to construct treatment facilities for over 100 wells impacted by state and federal regulations. Currently, 45 wells have been restored and are operational.

With an estimated $1.8B in PFAS mitigation costs over the next 30 years, OCWD has developed a comprehensive strategy that includes building treatment infrastructure, pursuing legal action against polluters, and advocating for legislation to prevent cleanup costs from affecting ratepayers.

For information about OCWD’s PFAS initiatives, visit the District’s PFAS Education Center (https://www.ocwd.com/what-we-do/water-quality/pfas/).