ABSTRACT
The Santa Ana River (SAR) is a critical source of water to the Orange County Groundwater Basin. In 1996, artificial recharge of SAR water provided over 60 percent of the total recharge to the Basin. Without effective recharge of SAR water, the Basin would not be able to sustain existing or future groundwater demands. Water quality in the SAR is impacted by urban and agricultural runoff and municipal effluent. SAR baseflow is primarily tertiary treated municipal effluent. Trace organics detected at low levels in municipal effluents discharged to the SAR are partially removed during river flow, recharge and subsurface flow. The Orange County Water District (OCWD) is pursuing new ways to increase artificial recharge capacity and improve the efficiency of existing facilities. In addition OCWD is evaluating water quality issues, especially emerging contaminants, to ensure the sustainability of SAR recharge and demonstrate recharged SAR water is safe for potable uses.
