A sewage reclamation plant officially opened today in Orange County, Calif., and will, sure enough, reclaim treated effluent and turn it into drinking water. Recognizing that its growing population — currently 2.3 million — is likely to outpace its supply of fresh water, O.C. is relying on the facility to turn 70 million gallons of water from disgusting to drinkable every day. Officials hope that the plant could eventually churn out up to 130 million gallons per day of water sans bacteria, viruses, carcinogens, hormones, chemicals, heavy metals, fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceutical remnants. The reclamation process uses less energy than transporting water to the country from elsewhere in the state. “All of Southern California should be doing these projects,” says Connor Everts of green group Southern California Watershed Alliance. “They represent an efficient use of local resources. They are cost-effective and one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do.”
