FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Ruth Ruiz, (714) 765-5060 office, (714) 420-7797 cell
ANAHEIM WATER SUSTAINABILITY CAMPUS DEDICATED TODAY
Community is welcome to view SoCal’s first small-scale water recycling plant in an urban area
ANAHEIM, CA – (May 7, 2013) Today, the Anaheim Mayor and City Council, along with the Anaheim Public Utilities Board, dedicated the Anaheim Water Sustainability Campus, the first of its kind in Southern California. The centerpiece of the campus is a decentralized small-scale water recycling plant built in an urban environment. Anaheim’s new Water Sustainability Campus is located next to City Hall (200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92805).
“Clean water can’t be taken for granted, and that is why I am pleased that Anaheim continues to be a leader in innovative practices,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “The introduction of the Water Sustainability Campus will show the importance of clean water for a variety of uses, will offer live demonstrations on how water is reused, and will be an important educational piece from which all can learn.”
The plant will save up to 35 million gallons of water per year – enough to serve about 220 households – and will allow the City’s Public Utility to reduce its purchases of imported water and the associated cost by approximately $100,000 annually.
Each day, the facility will convert 50,000 gallons of wastewater into recycled water suitable for landscape irrigation and other non-potable uses. Recycled water will be used for restroom flushing and landscape irrigation in and around City Hall. Future phases will increase production to 100,000 gallons of recycled water per day.
The water recycling facility incorporates many LEED elements and anchors a campus of educational displays that include a rainwater harvesting system and California-friendly, water-wise landscaping. Permeable paving allows rainwater to seep into the ground, which then replenishes the local groundwater basin while reducing pollution to streams and the ocean.
Interpretative signs explain the functions and benefits of each element of this unique demonstration campus, allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to learn how to incorporate sustainability features on their own properties. A waterfall, benches, and garden make the campus an attractive experience for local residents and employees in nearby businesses.
For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net/utilities.
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ABOUT ANAHEIM –The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation’s premier municipalities and is one of California’s most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation’s annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.