|
Home
| Background |
EIR |
Project Schedule |
Reports & Documents |
Public Participation
|
Recycled Water |
Beneficial Wetlands |
Glossary |
FAQs | Water
Conservation | Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Questions
Recycled Water Questions
Program Questions
What is the goal of the Water Recycling Expansion
Program?
The goal of the Water Recycling Expansion Program is to
maximize Petaluma’s water resources by expanding the
beneficial reuse of water in the City of Petaluma in a
reliable and feasible manner, while maintaining sensitivity
to public health, the environment and costs. By producing
and using more recycled water for irrigation purposes, the
City can leverage its already successful recycled water
program by conserving a greater amount of drinking water,
meeting permit requirements, and keeping drinking water in
the reservoirs.
What if we do
nothing?
If the Water Recycling Expansion Program does not move
forward, the City will not be able to meet future water
supply demands, and may have to depend more on its local
groundwater supply, which is currently reserved as a backup
water supply. The City’s water recycling program will remain
one-dimensional, which could make compliance with federal
and state regulatory requirements more difficult. The
potential impacts of not doing the program, an alternative
called the “No Program” alternative, will be evaluated
during the environmental review process.
What is the quality of Petaluma’s recycled water?
In 2009, the City of Petaluma will begin producing recycled
water through advanced treatment, filtering and
UV-disinfection. The water will receive the highest level of
treatment as defined by the State of California (referred to
as Title 22); this level of treatment allows for
unrestricted reuse in virtually all recycled water
applications. To ensure a consistent level of quality, which
meets or exceeds its intended uses, the City’s recycled
water undergoes routine testing. The treatment process
mimics the natural water cycle, only faster.
Recycled Water Questions
What is "reclaimed" or "recycled" water?
Reclaimed water, also referred to as recycled water, is municipal wastewater that has been cleaned and treated in order to remove pollutants and contaminants so that the water can be safely reused for a variety of uses. The California Department of Health Services has established the treatment standards and regulations regarding any reuse. Petaluma will be treating its wastewater to tertiary recycled water standards (also referred to as advanced water treatment) which is the highest level of treatment defined by the State and allows for unrestricted reuse in virtually all reclaimed water applications. Examples of common recycled water reuse applications include: Any agricultural irrigation (food crops, vineyards, sod farms, Christmas tree farms, etc), ornamental plants, parks and playing fields, golf courses, cemeteries and recreational waterways for boating and swimming, cooling tower water, groundwater recharge and toilet flushing. Recycled water is an excellent substitute for drinking water in many applications especially in areas experiencing drinking water shortages due to droughts or limitations on supply.
Is recycled
water safe?
Yes. Recycled water must meet stringent regulatory
requirements monitored by the State Department of Health
Services and be treated to the State of California Title 22
standards for tertiary (advanced) treatment of water. It
must also meet regional and local standards. Wastewater is
treated to these rigid standards to ensure that public
health and environmental quality are protected.
How long has recycled water been in use?
Recycled water systems have been operating in California and
throughout the nation since the early 1960’s. Petaluma
began a recycled water pilot testing project in 1976.
Full-scale use of recycled water began in 1984. Today
Petaluma provides recycled water for irrigation of over 500
acres of agricultural land, a vineyard, and two golf courses
As Sonoma County and California water supplies are
stretched, using recycled water for irrigation preserves
drinking water supplies for people and fresh water for
creeks, rivers and wetlands.
When will the new facility begin operating?
Petaluma’s new Ellis Creek Water Recycling facility is
scheduled to be operational in spring 2009.
Where
else is recycled water used?
Recycled water is an important water source for over 160
cities in California, including Monterey, Irvine, Rohnert
Park, Los Angeles, Windsor, Newport Beach, San Jose, and
Sonoma. These cities use recycled water for irrigation
of parks, athletic fields, school playfields, edible food
crops, flushing of toilets in office buildings, agricultural
irrigation, landscape irrigation, irrigation of highway
median strips, and to prevent saltwater intrusion in coastal
communities.
|
