Effort launched to identify suitable streams in north O.C. for capturing dry-weather flows

SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to identify which streams in northern Orange County could be suitable locations for diverting dry-weather flows to boost water recycling and improve water quality.

The study, which was presented to water resource agencies and partners in March, is developing scoring criteria to rank stream sites based on their relative ecological sensitivity to experiencing reductions in their dry-weather flows. The scoring criteria also consider ecological consequences for downstream estuaries and coastal lagoons.

The study, which builds on a similar effort in southern Orange County, is designed to help the Orange County Sanitation District achieve its goal of capturing more dry-weather flows from local streams for recycling and reuse.

Results are expected to be available later this spring.