The Orange County Water District (OCWD) proudly announces a record-breaking accomplishment in groundwater recharge for the fiscal year 2023-24: more than 90 billion gallons of water have been put back into the ground to further increase Orange County’s drinking water supply.

“Achieving this milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire staff, particularly our recharge operators in Anaheim,” said OCWD President Cathy Green. “Their commitment and expertise have been instrumental in maintaining our mission of providing a reliable water supply for our communities.”

Fulfilled during July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, this record year reflects the highest volume of water replenished into the District’s recharge basins in Anaheim and Orange since record keeping began in the 1940s. It is a result of OCWD’s comprehensive approach to managing the groundwater basin, which includes using diverse sources of water such as the Santa Ana River, stormwater capture, and recycled water from the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest water reuse facility, to refill the groundwater basin.

“Our success is built on decades of smart water management practices and collaboration with our 19 cities and retail water districts,” added John Kennedy, OCWD general manager. “By working together, we’re able to supply enough water for their 2.5 million customers and have enough storage on hand for future years. In fact, we’re very proud to report that our groundwater basin is currently 100% full.”

For more than 90 years, OCWD has pioneered new and innovative methods to maximize the groundwater basin and enhance the region’s water supply through strategic planning and investments. From expanding water recycling at the GWRS to implementing programs that increase stormwater capture, these efforts, and more, highlight OCWD’s commitment to ensuring a resilient water supply today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.