[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1059-E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT ON 60 YEARS OF 
                               EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24 2014

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend 
the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) on its 60th anniversary. 
Since June 30, 1954, the OCSD has provided residents in North and 
Central Orange County outstanding wastewater collection, treatment and 
recycling services.
  The OCSD services approximately 2.5 million people, 21 cities and has 
two operating facilities that treat wastewater from residential, 
commercial and industrial sources. Through innovative technologies, the 
OCSD has served as a leader and model for communities around the world 
as they battle to protect public health and the environment from the 
harms of untreated wastewater.
  However, the OCSD does not just simply treat wastewater. In fact, by 
utilizing all practical and effective means, the OCSD is producing an 
average of 10,000 kilowatts of electricity per day, monitoring the 
water quality of local beaches, and recycling 268,000 tons of biosolids 
per year. Yet, these are only the secondary benefits of its highest 
achievement.
  In a joint venture with the Orange County Water District, the OCSD 
facilitated the creation of the world's largest water purification 
system, the Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). 
Using a three-step advanced treatment process, the GWRS purifies 70 
million gallons of high quality potable water per day that would 
otherwise be unusable. This is the equivalent to the daily

[[Page E1060]]

water use of 600,000 people. The GWRS has since received more than 35 
awards, including the Stockholm Industry Water Award, which is the 
highest international honor bestowed upon water projects, and the 2014 
U.S. Water Prize Award from the U.S. Water Alliance.
  I am proud of the work, dedication, and accomplishments of the Orange 
County Sanitation District over the past 60 years and wish them further 
success as they continue to lead the world in effective wastewater 
collection, treatment and recycling.

                          ____________________