Recycled Water Projects

Over approximately the last 10-12 years, recycled water projects have been added by numerous water purveyors in the bay area. This is due in part to both Federal and State level funding. This year, due to the drought in California the State of California Water Resources Control Board, in March of 2014, approved and is offering $800 million in 1 percent loans for recycled water projects that can be completed within three years of Governor Jerry Brown's, January 17, 2014 declaration. The governor's plan should produce an additional 150,000 acre-feet of recycled water annually. This approval was given to help accelerate projects and improve California's water quality along with providing drought relief now and for future generations.

Recycled water is used to irrigate food crops, parks, schools, golf courses, street medians, business landscaping, cooling buildings, industrial processes, etc. Cities with recycled water programs include San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Redwood City, Pacifica, Oakland, Hayward, San Ramon, Pleasanton, Livermore, etc.

Below are two of the largest recycling water purveyors in the Bay Area and links to their programs.

South Bay Water Recycling (SBWR) servicing San Jose, Milpitas and Santa Clara.

South Bay Water Recycling (SBWR) has been providing recycled water to south bay communities for more than 10 years. The recycled water system consists of over 100 miles of pipeline, five pump stations, and 10 million gallons of storage. South Bay Water Recycling delivered an average of 10.6 million gallons a day to more than 690 customers for non-drinking (non-potable) uses.

Current SBWR customers include The Villages Golf and Country Club in San Jose, the McCarthy Ranch shopping center in Milpitas, four major power plants, elementary and high schools just to mention a few.

For additional information and updates regarding SBWR programs and updated information please visit the SBWR website at: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=1586

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) serving Oakland, San Ramon, Daville, etc.

East Bay Municipal Utility District provides approximately 8.1 million gallons per day of recycled water. EBMUD has been using recycled water for various purposes and to irrigate landscaping at the District's Main Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oakland since 1971. In addition EBMUD has two large multi-phased water recycling projects under construction. The projects are the East Bayshore Recycled Water Project and the San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Program. By 2040 EBMUD plans to supply approximately 7.3 billion gallons of recycled water annually.

East Bayshore Recycled Water Project: This project began delivering water in 2008 and when completed in 2015, will supply an annual average of 2.5 million gallons per day of recycled water to portions of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland.

San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Program: Is a joint effort between EBMUD and Dublin San Ramon Services District to serve their respective customers. The City of Pleasanton joined in this effort in 2014. Completion to Bishop Ranch Business Park is slated for 2015.

For additional information and updates please visit the EBMUD website at:
https://www.ebmud.com/environment/conservation-and-recycling/recycled-water

For additional information regarding recycled water projects in your area contact your local water purveyor.