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Recycled Water
Our recycled water program showcases Western’s commitment to water supply reliability through technology and by providing locally produced water in the region. Every gallon of recycled water used to irrigate crops or landscaping means a gallon of potable (drinking) water can be used for drinking purposes. Water recycling also helps us keep rates lower because it reduces the need to continually import costlier water from sources like the Colorado River and Northern California.
How it works
Recycled water goes through a thorough treatment process where it’s disinfected and clarified and turned into high-quality water that can be used for many purposes, including irrigation for parks, schools, golf courses, groves, and cemeteries. Once treated, the recycled water is delivered through purple pipes, which are completely separate from the delivery pipes that carry potable (drinking) water to homes, schools, and businesses.
Ensuring safety
Routine testing is performed, with regulatory oversight, to make sure treatment facilities are functioning properly so that the recycled water delivered to the users meets regulatory requirements. Western also performs regular inspections of the sites that use recycled water.
What’s next
Western continues to look for opportunities to provide even more high-quality, localized water for its customers through its recycled water program and by forming partnerships throughout the region to ensure the right source of water is being used in the right place. The combined efforts exemplify Western’s commitment to using its recycled water supply for beneficial use within its 527-square mile service area.
Additional resources
Recycled water is a safe, reliable source for landscape and agricultural irrigation needs, and more. Delivered through purple pipes, recycled water is treated to the tertiary level so that it may be used again within our community for state-approved, non-drinking water purposes.
Water reliability
Western invests in reliability projects to secure water supply for our customers and the region. These investments focus on securing new water rights via stormwater capture, water wheeling from outside our service area, water recycling, and groundwater desalting. We believe that reliable water resources are imperative for those not-so-rainy days and years that are common to Southern California.
A drought-proof resource
Recycled water plays an important role in Western’s efforts toward achieving a drought-proof and sustainable water supply for our customers. Recycled water not subject to restrictions during periods of water supply shortages, and is priced lower than drinking water sources.
Western has the ability to treat up to 3 million gallons of wastewater daily at its Western Water Recycling Facility (WWRF). At WWRF, Western produces high-quality, tertiary-treated recycled water, a source that is used for irrigation and other purposes allowed by California regulations.
Western’s recycled water is highly-treated and disinfected wastewater, and is safe for an array of irrigation and other non-drinking water purposes. Western’s recycled water is distributed through its own system of pipes, storage facilities, and pumping stations.
Beneficial reuse
A local, secure water resource is a top priority for Western. Water recycling extends our water supply, reduces wastewater disposal costs, and lessens the impact during drier times.
Tertiary-treated recycled water can be used for all approved non-drinkable applications:
and road medians | and landscaping | and nurseries | landscaping |
Agriculture – Food crops for human consumption, orchards, vineyards, fodder, fiber and seed crops, non-fruit bearing trees, and pasture for milking animals and livestock
Impoundments – Restricted and unrestricted (full-body contact) recreational impoundments, decorative lakes, and fountains and fish hatcheries
Industrial – Industrial processes (e.g., paper manufacturing, carpet, and textile dyeing, boiler feed), cooling towers and air conditioning, non-residential toilet, urinal, and floor drains, structural and non-structural firefighting, commercial laundries, commercial car washes, concrete mixing, construction (dust control, soil compaction, backfill consolidation around pipelines, including potable), street and sidewalk cleaning, flushing sanitary sewers and snow-making
Urban Landscape – Parks and playgrounds, schoolyards, unrestricted-access golf courses, residential landscaping, freeway and roadway landscaping, cemeteries, ornamental nurseries, and sod farms.
Applying for recycled water service
To learn more about how you can participate in Western’s Recycled Water Program, a developer or his agent may contact Western to determine the availability of recycled water service. Please contact our Development Services department at 951.571.7100.