Water Sustainability Campus

Anaheim’s Water Sustainability Campus includes the first decentralized small-scale water recycling plant built in an urban environment in Southern California. In addition, it showcases other important water management strategies:
  • A water-wise garden
  • Porous pavement
  • Rainwater capture for irrigation

Project Resources

  1. Water Recycling Demonstration Facility Processes (PDF)
  2. Water Sustainability Campus FAQ (PDF)
All of these elements are presented in a way to educate visitors about innovative water solutions that can help address the region's challenges in maintaining sufficient water supplies and reducing dependence on imported water.

The primary objectives of this project are to:
  • Elevate public awareness on the value of local water supplies and water conservation.
  • Offer an approach to minimize costly future sewer infrastructure upgrades downstream.
  • Provide an opportunity for the public to view and understand how sewage can be recycled for beneficial use.
Currently, the recycled water is used to irrigate the landscaping around the City Hall complex and Pearson Park, and for toilet flushing in Anaheim West Tower. However, the plant and recycled water piping system was designed to be expanded as new customers come on-line.
A key element of the plant design is an enhanced odor control system that uses granular activated carbon (GAC) to capture and treat odors from the facility. This system includes a fully redundant backup GAC air scrubber to ensure no odors escape from the facility. Also, the building’s ventilation system will create negative pressure within the building in order to prevent odors from escaping whenever a door is opened.

The plant is designed to operate with a minimum of operator attention and to automatically shut down if any equipment malfunctions or if any of the pipelines are obstructed. An equipment malfunction and/or shutdown will be alarmed so Water Field staff can quickly respond. Design features were incorporated into the plant to contain any possible overflow and to drain it by gravity back to the sewer system if need be.