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.
OCWD partners with the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD-Sanitation) on the Groundwater Replenishment System, treating sewer-derived water through microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, and hydrogen peroxide before injecting it into the seawater intrusion barrier and recharge basins in Anaheim. Output exceeds 130 million gallons per day. Many south county agencies separately deliver purple-pipe recycled water for irrigation of golf courses, parks, and HOA common areas. Cross-connection rules under California Title 17 prohibit any tie-in between recycled and potable plumbing without backflow prevention.
Cross-connecting recycled water to potable plumbing or drinking purple-pipe water can trigger Title 17 enforcement, fines, and shutoff until corrected.
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County exempts one small detached non-habitable accessory structure - a shed - per 7,200 square feet of building site area from accesso...
Orange County, CA
Carports in unincorporated Orange County are governed by Section 7-9-70.3(d) of the Codified Ordinances, which requires carports to comply with main-building...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Section...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County requires every pool/spa deeper than 18 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches (5 ft) high under California Health...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows ADUs on any residentially zoned lot under OC Zoning Code (Title 7, Division 9) and California Government Code Β§65852.2 (A...
Orange County, CA
Orange County does not levy a general gross-receipts business tax in unincorporated areas; businesses obtain a county business license tied to zoning, while ...
See how Orange County's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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