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Frequently Asked Questions
General
SRCSD’s Water Recycling Program
General
What is recycled water?
Recycled water is treated wastewater that has undergone additional filtration and disinfection processes to make the water safe for non-potable (non-drinking) uses such as irrigating landscapes, parks and school sites.
How “safe” is recycled water?
Recycled water treated at Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District’s (SRCSD) water recycling plant meets and exceeds the California Department of Health Services’ most stringent irrigation requirements for recycled water. There has never been a documented case of a health-related problem traced back to recycled water when used in accordance with state guidelines.
- California's recycled water standards are among the most stringent in the world.
- Tertiary treated recycled water is virtually pathogen-free.
- Recycled water is treated to a degree very close to drinking water quality.
Who develops the health standards for recycled water?
Is the operation and maintenance process reliable?
In accordance with Title 22 requirements:
- The recycled water plant is designed to provide the highest possible degree of treatment under varying circumstances.
- Recycled water is delivered through purple pipes that are completely separate from the potable (drinking) water pipes.
- Routine inspections are conducted to ensure no cross connection between potable water pipes and recycled water pipes has occurred.
- The water recycling plant and distribution system are monitored continuously.
How long has recycled water been used?
Water recycling is practiced worldwide. California has been a pioneer in water recycling for over 50 years. In California there are over 250 water recycling plants in operation. California's first water recycling project began in 1929 when the City of Pomona provided treated wastewater from its municipal sewage treatment plant for landscape irrigation. The first plant built solely for recycling and reuse was constructed in 1932 in San Francisco to irrigate Golden Gate Park. The Irvine Ranch Water District in Orange County has been recycling water for nearly 30 years and currently supplies recycled water for many uses including high-rise office buildings use in toilets and urinals.
SRCSD’s Water Recycling Program
What type of program is this?
The Water Recycling Program is currently a permitted 5 million gallons per day (MGD) effort that provides recycled water for landscape irrigation to parks, schools, and large landscape areas otherwise served by potable water.
Who is responsible for this program?
Currently, Phase I of the Water Recycling Program is a partnership between the SRCSD, the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA), and Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) Water Protection Division.
- SRCSD – provides recycled water treatment, monitors recycled water quality
- SCWA – distributes recycled water to customers, monitors recycled water use
- Sacramento County EMD – provides public health and environmental oversight to the Water Recycling Program.
When did the use of recycled water begin?
Delivery of recycled water to the Elk Grove/Laguna area for irrigation purposes began in April 2003.
Where is the recycled water being used?
The recycled water is being used to irrigate street medians, commercial landscaping, parks, and school sites in the Laguna West, Lakeside, and Stonelakes developments. The water recycling plant is located on the property of the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Elk Grove and the recycled water also is used there for industrial uses and landscape irrigation purposes.
What are the benefits of recycled water?
- Water recycling provides an environmentally responsible and safe water supply for environmental restoration projects, such as wetlands.
- Increased use of water recycling would reduce the region’s dependence on groundwater and surface water supplies for non-drinking water uses.
- Water recycling can help with Clean Water Act compliance.
Why has recycled water been considered for this area?
- A new water source needed — Before local developments were approved in the late 1980s, additional water sources had to be identified. Recycled water was seen as a viable water supply alternative, especially for non-potable purposes.
- Limited water supply — Groundwater levels in the Elk Grove/Laguna area has been steadily declining for years. In order to meet the growing water demands of the area, surface water is being brought in to supplement groundwater use. Recycled water is an important additional water source.
- Making the most of our resources is critically important since California’s population is growing at a rate of 700,000 per year, indicating the state’s population will reach 50 million by 2020 (U.S. Census Bureau projection). In the Sacramento area alone, our population is expected to grow by 1 million in the next 20 years. As noted by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a March 2002 water conference sponsored by the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, “It is not longer the question of if, but when the major water crisis hits. We must invest seriously in sea water desalination and in water recycling technology.”
- An investment in the future — Future regulations may require SRCSD and other wastewater treatment agencies throughout California to comply with much more stringent river discharge standards. Recycling water may be a more cost effective wastewater management option than building additional wastewater treatment infrastructure to meet future requirements.
What is the WROS?
WROS stands for Water Recycling Opportunities Study. It is a strategic plan that serves as a guide to expand the Water Recycling Program over the next 20 years. For more information see Water Recycling Opportunities Study.
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