In a part of the country where freshwater supplies are often scarce, the Olivenhain (California) Municipal Water District is doing its part.
The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility recycles some 1 million gallons of high-quality effluent each day for irrigation and shares even more with neighboring communities. “We’re reusing 100%,” says John Onkka, facilities supervisor. “We have no outfall.”
What doesn’t go directly to irrigation is stored in reservoirs to meet spring and summer demands. The district partners with other utilities to meet all of its customers’ irrigation needs.
A consistent safety award winner, the facility also won the California Water
