50 Years of Recycled Water
In 1967, the Irvine Ranch Water District began using recycled water to supplement and expand its water supply portfolio. In the half-century since, IRWD's recycled water infrastructure has evolved from a small operation mostly focused on agriculture to one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced recycled water systems in the nation. Recycled water in our District is used primarily for outdoor watering. It's not for drinking. But every gallon of recycled water used saves a gallon of drinking water.
Today, about 25% of the District's water demands are met through recycled water. Some of the many uses of recycled water in the IRWD service area are:
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Watering parks
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Watering golf courses
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Watering school playing fields
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Watering HOA common areas and front yards
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Manufacturing processes
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Toilets in dual-plumbed buildings
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Cooling towers
By making a long-term investment in this valuable and drought-proof source of water, IRWD avoids having to buy costly, less reliable imported water. In doing so, local water supply reliability is improved, benefiting all of IRWD's customers.
View our video celebrating 50 years of recycled water.
IRWD - 50 years of recycled water (1080) from Irvine Ranch Water District on Vimeo.
View the photos below to see how recycled water has been an important part of IRWD during the past 50-plus years.
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| Michelson Water Recycling Plant - 1966 | Michelson Water Recycling Plant - 1960s |
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| Michelson Water Recycling Plant | Michelson Water Recycling Plant |
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| Michelson Water Recycling Plant | Los Alisos Water Recycling Plant |
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| First Dual Plumbed High-Rises in Irvine - 1991 | Los Alisos Water Recycling Plant - 1990s |
