City of Oxnard Advanced Water Purification Facility Project
Located in Southern California, the Oxnard Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) was created to provide the city an alternative to imported water from the northern portion of the state.
Using a newly installed microfiltration system with reverse osmosis and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, the facility is able to produce locally controlled, recycled water that is independent of outside influences, such as the climate or governmental regulations.
The $80-million project, located on five acres, resulted in a process that requires less energy than is used to import water to the area.
Recycled water produced at the facility will be used in a number of applications, including industrial process, irrigation and indirect potable reuse through groundwater injection.
Research and education are other aspects of the AWPF’s overall mission. A small-scale research study is currently being conducted on the wastewater treatment wetlands. The wetlands treat the saltwater brine that is produced as a byproduct of the recycled water processes.
Soon, the city will increase the scale of this program and use nearly 400 acres of the Ormond Beach Wetlands, the area adjacent to the facility.
This also extends to AWPF’s commitment to providing resources and access to educate the public about the water process. In an effort to inform citizens about the water recycling process, the AWPF invites the public to visit the facility and interact with the system.
The permitting process is currently underway and the facility is expected to start producing recycled water within the next few months.
“This will greatly improve the city’s water supply reliability and help to improve environmental problems associated with Northern California water,” said Anthony Emmert, water resources manager for City of Oxnard Public Works.