ACWD Water Sources
ACWD Acronym Soup
Water Treatment Processes
Local Landmarks
2025
200

This largest single source accounts for about 40% of ACWD's supply, imported from the Delta via the South Bay Aqueduct.

State Water Project (SWP)

200

This is the Department which houses the General Manager, District Secretary, and Public Affairs.

OGM

Office of the General Manager

200

ACWD's corrosion control focuses on adjusting this chemical property of the water, typically raising it, to reduce the leaching of lead and copper from home plumbing.

pH (pH adjustment)

200

This prominent, 2,517-foot peak east of Fremont is famous for its strenuous hiking trail and panoramic views of the entire Bay Area.

Mission Peak

200

This technology dominates the 2025 trends, with new applications like Agents and Large Language Models being major developments this year.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

400

This local groundwater basin underlies the Tri-City area and is the primary source for ACWD's local water supply, also accounting for about 40% of the total.

Niles Cone Groundwater Basin (Niles Cone)

400

This Division includes instrument technicians, mechanics, electricians, and gardeners. 

FMD

Facilities Maintenance Division

400

This membrane process is the core technology used at the Newark Desalination Facility (NDF) to remove salts and minerals from brackish groundwater.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

400

This historic farm and park in Fremont features a Victorian mansion, preserved grounds, and hosts a popular Rail Fair event.

Ardenwood Historic Farm (Ardenwood Farm)

400

Super Bowl LIX featured these two football teams going head-to-head. 

Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles

600

Approximately 20% of ACWD's supply is purchased from the SFPUC and primarily originates in the Sierra Nevada, delivered via this source valley.

Hetch Hetchy Valley (Hetch Hetchy)

600

A common unit of measurement in the water industry for water produced in a day from a water treatment plant.

MGD

Million Gallons per Day

600

WTP2 uses this powerful disinfectant as a pre-oxidant to reduce tastes, odors, and limit the formation of harmful byproducts.

Ozone (Ozonation)

600

Founded in 1797, this historical religious landmark  gives its name to the eastern district of the city.

Mission San José

600

Originating in Asia, these popular blind box dolls feature sharp teeth, large ears, and a scruffy appearance. 

Labubu

800

ACWD's Newark Desalination Facility treats this type of slightly salty groundwater.

Brackish Groundwater

800

This state law requires all California government agencies, including ACWD, to document and consider the environmental impact of their major projects.

CEQA

California Environmental Quality Act

800

After filtering and before distribution, ACWD uses this process of adding a stable disinfectant—a combination of chlorine and ammonia—to ensure water safety throughout the pipe system.

Chloranimation (or Disinfection)

800

The Niles district of Fremont is historically known for this industry, having been the winter headquarters for Essanay Studios, featuring actors like Charlie Chaplin.

Silent Films (Early Films)

800

2025 marked this anniversary for the United States Army, Navy, and Marines.

250th Anniversary

1000

Runoff from this local watershed is captured behind rubber dams and percolated into ACWD groundwater supply.

Alameda Creek Watershed (Alameda Creek)

1000

This technology is essential for Operations and Maintenance, allowing staff to monitor and control the entire water system remotely.

SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

1000

This conventional treatment step at Water Treatment Plant No. 2 (WTP2) involves adding chemicals to make tiny particles clump together before settling.

Coagulation (or Flocculation) 

1000

This vast wildlife refuge and marshland in Fremont and Newark provides crucial habitat for migrating birds and is named after a former Congressman.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Don Edwards)

1000

Amid a political crisis, this country's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced his intention to resign in January 2025.

Canada