Water Recycling & Reclamation
What is water recycling?
In the California Water Code, recycled water means water which,
as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial
use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is
therefore considered a valuable resource. What this means to us is
reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as
agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet
flushing and replenishing a ground water basin (groundwater
recharge).
A common type of recycled water is water that has been reclaimed
from municipal wastewater, or sewage. The term recycling is
generally synonymous with water reclamation or water reuse.
In the California Water Code, recycled water means water which,
as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial
use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is
therefore considered a valuable resource. What this means to us is
reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as
agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet
flushing and replenishing a ground water basin (groundwater
recharge).
A common type of recycled water is water that has been reclaimed
from municipal wastewater, or sewage. The term recycling is
generally synonymous with water reclamation or water reuse.
How is water recycling managed in California?
The first reclaimed water facility in California was built near San
Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1932. However, Los Angeles
County sanitation districts have provided treated wastewater for
landscape irrigation in parks and golf courses since 1929. The
Irvine Ranch Water District and Orange County Water District in
Southern California are fast becoming the leaders in the state in
reclaimed water.
In the Bay Area, major progress in water recycling have been made
in Marin and Antioch, but in San Francisco recycled water is still in
project phase. Originally, Golden Gate Park was created using
recycled water in the early 1900s but the plant has since been
closed because they needed a higher level of treatment which the
facility could not provide.
The City of Los Angeles received funds in 1995 for its Donald C.
Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in the Sepulveda Basin that
provides 40 MGD, but plans are underway to further develop water
reclamation throughout the City. LADWP has created a Recycled
Water Advisory Group (RWAG) with invested community
stakeholders to provide input and ideas for possible solutions.
The West Basin Municipal Water District runs the Edward C. Little
Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo provides 30 MGD, treating
water from the Hyperion Treatment a few miles north.
San Diego has lagged behind in Southern California in water
recycling, though the City Council just voted in early August 2010 in
favor of a contract to build a reclamation pilot project. The fate of
water reuse in the area has been a hard sell, fighting against the
strong Toilet to Tap sentiment.
The first reclaimed water facility in California was built near San
Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1932. However, Los Angeles
County sanitation districts have provided treated wastewater for
landscape irrigation in parks and golf courses since 1929. The
Irvine Ranch Water District and Orange County Water District in
Southern California are fast becoming the leaders in the state in
reclaimed water.
In the Bay Area, major progress in water recycling have been made
in Marin and Antioch, but in San Francisco recycled water is still in
project phase. Originally, Golden Gate Park was created using
recycled water in the early 1900s but the plant has since been
closed because they needed a higher level of treatment which the
facility could not provide.
The City of Los Angeles received funds in 1995 for its Donald C.
Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in the Sepulveda Basin that
provides 40 MGD, but plans are underway to further develop water
reclamation throughout the City. LADWP has created a Recycled
Water Advisory Group (RWAG) with invested community
stakeholders to provide input and ideas for possible solutions.
The West Basin Municipal Water District runs the Edward C. Little
Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo provides 30 MGD, treating
water from the Hyperion Treatment a few miles north.
San Diego has lagged behind in Southern California in water
recycling, though the City Council just voted in early August 2010 in
favor of a contract to build a reclamation pilot project. The fate of
water reuse in the area has been a hard sell, fighting against the
strong Toilet to Tap sentiment.
Why should we reuse water?
Water reuse offers a climate independent water source that is
dependable, locally-controlled and beneficial to the environment.
Water reuse allows Southern California to become less dependent
on groundwater pumping and imported water, decreasing the
diversion from the sensitive Delta ecosystem.In essence, by
expanding the use of recycled water, we are actually helping to
conserve our drinking water supplies.
Water reuse also reduces the amount of wastewater discharging
into waterways, thereby reducing and preventing water pollution. By
recycling, less water is discharged, improving the environmental
condition of our coastal waters.
All the water we have today is the same water that there was since
before the days of dinosaurs. There is no such thing as "new
water". For billions of years, Earth has already been perfecting a
system of cleaning and reusing water over and over again. Its
called the hydrologic cycle and its incredibly efficient at purifying
water. It just takes more time than a water recycling plant that man
can create and use now.
Water reuse offers a climate independent water source that is
dependable, locally-controlled and beneficial to the environment.
Water reuse allows Southern California to become less dependent
on groundwater pumping and imported water, decreasing the
diversion from the sensitive Delta ecosystem.In essence, by
expanding the use of recycled water, we are actually helping to
conserve our drinking water supplies.
Water reuse also reduces the amount of wastewater discharging
into waterways, thereby reducing and preventing water pollution. By
recycling, less water is discharged, improving the environmental
condition of our coastal waters.
All the water we have today is the same water that there was since
before the days of dinosaurs. There is no such thing as "new
water". For billions of years, Earth has already been perfecting a
system of cleaning and reusing water over and over again. Its
called the hydrologic cycle and its incredibly efficient at purifying
water. It just takes more time than a water recycling plant that man
can create and use now.
How is water recycled?
Water recycling is typically explained by the various stages of
treatment - Primary Treatment, Secondary Treatment, Tertiary or
Advanced Treatment and Disinfection.
In Primary Treatment, solids, or "sludge" is separated from the
water in chambers. Once that debris is removed, the water moves
into aeration tanks, mixed with oxygen and bacteria to create an
environment for the bacteria to decompose organic pollutants. The
organic solids settle to the bottom of the tanks and are separated
to form the Secondary Treated water. In tertiary or advanced
treatment, several different types of treatments may be used,
depending upon the treatment facility. Lastly, in Disinfection, the
water is mixed with chlorine to kill any remaining bacteria and then
becomes available for use.
Sonoma County Water Agency has an interactive map online to
explain how wastewater is treated.
Water recycling is typically explained by the various stages of
treatment - Primary Treatment, Secondary Treatment, Tertiary or
Advanced Treatment and Disinfection.
In Primary Treatment, solids, or "sludge" is separated from the
water in chambers. Once that debris is removed, the water moves
into aeration tanks, mixed with oxygen and bacteria to create an
environment for the bacteria to decompose organic pollutants. The
organic solids settle to the bottom of the tanks and are separated
to form the Secondary Treated water. In tertiary or advanced
treatment, several different types of treatments may be used,
depending upon the treatment facility. Lastly, in Disinfection, the
water is mixed with chlorine to kill any remaining bacteria and then
becomes available for use.
Sonoma County Water Agency has an interactive map online to
explain how wastewater is treated.
Is recycled water safe?
Recycled water projects are designed and operated to protect
public health. Careful monitoring by local health authorities and
water quality control agencies ensures highly treated, filtered and
disinfected water that meets the State Department of Public Health
criteria. No health-related problems have been traced to any of the
water recycling projects currently operating in California.
The resulting water from the 4-step treatment process is clear,
colorless and odorless, making it indistinguishable from tap water
to the human eye. Beyond what the senses can perceive, recycled
water does not contain any constituents that exceed federal and
state drinking water standards.
There are very stringent water quality laws that apply to recycled
water. The State Dept of Public Health standards are referred to as
"Title 22". These standards are incorporated into the California
Code of Regulations. with stipulations applying to various uses of
recycled water and levels of required treatment. Title 22 allows for
many uses of recycled water including irrigation of food crops,
parks, playgrounds, school yards, residential landscaping,
cemeteries, freeway landscaping, golf courses, fish hatcheries,
commercial laundries, flushing toilets and urinals and industrial
process water.
Recycled water projects are designed and operated to protect
public health. Careful monitoring by local health authorities and
water quality control agencies ensures highly treated, filtered and
disinfected water that meets the State Department of Public Health
criteria. No health-related problems have been traced to any of the
water recycling projects currently operating in California.
The resulting water from the 4-step treatment process is clear,
colorless and odorless, making it indistinguishable from tap water
to the human eye. Beyond what the senses can perceive, recycled
water does not contain any constituents that exceed federal and
state drinking water standards.
There are very stringent water quality laws that apply to recycled
water. The State Dept of Public Health standards are referred to as
"Title 22". These standards are incorporated into the California
Code of Regulations. with stipulations applying to various uses of
recycled water and levels of required treatment. Title 22 allows for
many uses of recycled water including irrigation of food crops,
parks, playgrounds, school yards, residential landscaping,
cemeteries, freeway landscaping, golf courses, fish hatcheries,
commercial laundries, flushing toilets and urinals and industrial
process water.
| The Donald C. Tillman plant in Van Nuys. Reclaimed water from the plant is used to fill the lake and irrigate the surrounding lush Japanese gardens. |
Resources to learn more:
EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse & Water Recycling Brochure on
Environmental Benefits
California Sustainability Alliance report The Role of Recycled Water
in Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Equinox Center report The Potential of Purified Recycled Water
Water Education Foundation Layperson's Guide to Water Recycling
EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse & Water Recycling Brochure on
Environmental Benefits
California Sustainability Alliance report The Role of Recycled Water
in Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Equinox Center report The Potential of Purified Recycled Water
Water Education Foundation Layperson's Guide to Water Recycling
Water Recycling in California News:
LADWP reaches recycled water milestone in San Fernando Valley
Reclaimed wastewater a boon to SoCal - Pasadena
The safe use of wastewater in agriculture offers multiple benefits
Water's recycled future - Santa Clarita
Story of San Jose's waste water treatment plant
S.F. proposes using recycled water at parks
Overcoming the Global barriers to water reuse - Water World Mag
San Diego - Future Wellspring (Wastewater Recycling Pilot)
Napa Valley - East Napa will receive recycled irrigation water
through stimulus funding
PBS Newshour Extra - Californians Move to 'Toilet-to-Tap' Water
Recycling
San Diego's progress with wastewater reuse
LADWP reaches recycled water milestone in San Fernando Valley
Reclaimed wastewater a boon to SoCal - Pasadena
The safe use of wastewater in agriculture offers multiple benefits
Water's recycled future - Santa Clarita
Story of San Jose's waste water treatment plant
S.F. proposes using recycled water at parks
Overcoming the Global barriers to water reuse - Water World Mag
San Diego - Future Wellspring (Wastewater Recycling Pilot)
Napa Valley - East Napa will receive recycled irrigation water
through stimulus funding
PBS Newshour Extra - Californians Move to 'Toilet-to-Tap' Water
Recycling
San Diego's progress with wastewater reuse