Description
Welcome to the Elemental Tour! Be prepared to open your mind and challenge your preconceived ideas of earth’s most common elements.
The tour starts at the Prima Deshecha Landfill, an award-winning, state-of-the-art feat of environmental engineering. Complete with several environmental protection measures, a materials exchange program where Orange County residents may get FREE used materials for home projects, and even onsite regional trails providing scenic ocean views and native habitats. You will get a peek inside the inner-workings and learn how the landfill gas is converted into energy to produce up to 6.1 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.
Next up, experience the intricate and complex world of water. The Orange County Water District is home to the Ground Water Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest advanced water purification system for indirect potable reuse. You'll see the plant up close and learn about the three treatment steps it takes to purify treated wastewater to drinking water standards. The GWRS produces 100 million gallons of water per day; enough water for 850,000 people. An accomplice in the water replenishment industry and conveniently located right next door, is the Orange County Sanitation District, the public agency responsible for safely collecting and treating wastewater for 2.6 million people while protecting environmental habitats and natural resources. See how these two facilities work together to take on the water challenges of today and prepare to meet the water demands for generations to come.
