Irvine vs Santa Ana
How do recycled water rules rules compare between Irvine, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Irvine and Santa Ana have similar restriction levels.
Irvine, CA
Orange County
Orange County operates the world's largest potable water reuse system, the Groundwater Replenishment System, blending advanced-treated wastewater into the basin that supplies most of north and central county.
View full Irvine rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Orange County operates the world's largest potable water reuse system, the Groundwater Replenishment System, blending advanced-treated wastewater into the basin that supplies most of north and central county.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Irvine | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| GWRS capacity | 130+ MGD | 130+ MGD |
| Operators | OCWD and OCSD | OCWD and OCSD |
| Treatment steps | MF, RO, UV/H2O2 | MF, RO, UV/H2O2 |
| Code | CA Title 17 | CA Title 17 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Irvine FAQ
Is recycled water safe to drink?
GWRS water meets or exceeds drinking water standards but is injected to the aquifer first for additional travel time and blending before reaching customer taps.
What is purple-pipe water?
Recycled water for irrigation only, identified by purple pipes and signage. It is not for drinking, cooking, or filling pools, and requires cross-connection control.
Santa Ana FAQ
Is recycled water safe to drink?
GWRS water meets or exceeds drinking water standards but is injected to the aquifer first for additional travel time and blending before reaching customer taps.
What is purple-pipe water?
Recycled water for irrigation only, identified by purple pipes and signage. It is not for drinking, cooking, or filling pools, and requires cross-connection control.
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