Innovations in

Anaheim

Anaheim Public Utilities Pilot Projects
AC·NET

Meeting Anaheim's electric and water needs with high quality and affordable resources requires investment in innovative solutions. For many years, Anaheim Public Utilities has done just that. Here are just a few of our recent projects to apply the latest technologies and techniques to better serve Anaheim in the future.

Water Recycling Demonstration Plant
AC·NET

Seeking to reduce Anaheim's dependence on imported water, Anaheim Public Utilities broke ground on a Water Recycling Demonstration Facility at Anaheim’s City Hall complex in November 2010.

 

When completed, this facility will have the capacity to treat 100,000 gallons of wastewater per day and produce recycled water for non-potable uses such as landscaping and toilet flushing. Also included are green components such as a roof runoff water capture system, porous pavement, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Operations should start in March 2012 and result in annual savings of 35 million gallons and $70,000 in water costs.

 

To learn more about this project, go here.

 

Energy Field
Aerial view of the Energy Field

Located in central Anaheim, at 1625 S. Ninth Street,  the Energy Field is a three acre urban space that was transformed from a plot of unsightly weeds into a much-needed urban play area for the neighborhood.

 

The Energy Field aptly gets its name from a ground-mounted array of 385 solar panels that generates enough electricity to serve 22 homes per year. What's more, this array is tied into an energy storage system that can store the energy for use when needed. Also included are embedded solar panels in roofs of the field's lunch and tot play area shelters.

 

Of course, not to forget water efficiency, the Energy Field has a play area that is also water efficient to the tune of saving over 3 million gallons of water annually by incorporating California-friendly plants and an artificial turf field that is almost as large as a football field.

 

Infiltration Well
Infiltration Well

 Anaheim received $230,000 in Federal stimulus funding to install a large diameter infiltration well to capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff, as well as conduct follow-up analyses to determine any impacts to groundwater quality. The primary benefit of this type of well is the use of stormwater to replenish the groundwater basin, reduce urban flooding, and storm drain flows.  If this pilot project is successful, these types of infiltration wells may be installed in other locations.

 

To learn more about this project, go here.

 

Past Pilot Projects

Anaheim Public Utilities has a long history of piloting new technologies to improve our electric and water service to Anaheim.  Go here to read a few more chapters from our past pilot projects and get a better feel for our service commitment to our customers through innovation.