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OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Tuesday is a big day for San Diego County as a first-of-its-kind project that will change how we get our drinking water will open.

Pure Water Oceanside will be the first operating potable water reuse project in San Diego County. Pure Water Oceanside will purify recycled water to provide a local water supply that is clean, safe and drought-proof.

The plant will recycle the water using state-of-the-art purification technology that replicates and accelerates nature's natural recycling process. According to a press release announcing the opening, the project leads the way in San Diego County by providing a sustainable water supply for its residents, businesses and visitors.

The $70 million project uses advanced technology, including ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to provide 3 million gallons per day or more than 20% of the City of Oceanside’s drinking water supply. The source of the recycled water to create the purified water is from the city’s own San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility.

According to the Pure Water website, the water purification process is a six-step process which includes:

Ultrafiltration - Filters remove bacteria and suspended solids from reclaimed water.

Reverse Osmosis - Ultra-fine filters remove salt, viruses, bacteria, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Ultraviolet Light and Advanced Oxidation - The final polishing step neutralizes any remaining substances.

Injection - Minerals are added before the water is injected into the Mission Basin.

Treatment - Water is extracted from the aquifer and treated again at the city's Mission Basin Groundwater Purification Facility.

Delivery- The water is distributed to customers!

“Pure Water Oceanside exemplifies our commitment to innovative projects that improve the lives of the citizens who call our great city home,” said City of Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “Not only will the project safeguard against ongoing drought concerns, but it will also improve the quality and quantity of our local aquifer and reduce our reliance on imported water, ensuring clean and reliable water is available for future generations.”

Currently, Oceanside imports most of its water from the Sacramento Bay Delta and the Colorado River, each hundreds of miles away and requiring significant energy and infrastructure costs to run and maintain.

WATCH RELATED: San Diego leaders kick-off phase one of new Pure Water Project

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