The Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory has been recognized by California Construction Magazine with top honors as “The Overall Top Project in Southern California” and “Civil/Public Works Project of the Year” winner of 2010. This multi-story building features highly sophisticated laboratory equipment and water quality testing systems that include high-purity gas piping systems, powerful HVAC equipment and lab fume hoods, state-of-the-art reverse osmosis systems, and technical sterilizer components. The successful completion of this facility has increased the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) ability to test drinking-water samples for a variety of contaminants by more than 50%.

The facility utilizes design components and construction practices in compliance with LEED certification levels of sustainability. These elements include low flow plumbing fixtures, reclaimed water recycled onsite for landscape irrigation, and the effective use of natural light and optimal solar orientation to minimize the need for electrical light sources. Other strategies include high performance glazing and building envelope insulation, locally manufactured materials with high recycled content and low emission of volatile organic compounds, an operative selection of energy efficient HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) equipment, and high performance lighting and lighting control systems.

The Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory assists OCWD in managing the groundwater basin that provides high-quality water to 20 affiliate cities and water agencies. Orange County Water District’s service area covers over 350 square miles and supplies water to more than two million customers in Orange County, meeting nearly 70 percent of the current water demand.