Frequently Asked Questions

About the System | Benefits of Recycled Water | FAQ

Q. What is recycled water?

A. Water used by residents and businesses in indoor faucets, tubs, showers, and toilets is treated at the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant. This treated water meets some of the most stringent Federal water quality regulations in the nation because it is then going to be discharged into the shallow waters at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. A portion of this treated water is diverted before discharge into the Bay to instead be re-used, primarily for turf irrigation. We call this non-potable water “recycled water.”

Q. How is the water treated for reuse?

A. At our treatment plant, wastewater undergoes four distinct treatment steps before it is considered ready for reuse. Primary treatment, the first step, uses gravity to remove solid particles. Secondary biological treatment, the second step, uses bacteria to remove dissolved pollutants. The third step is filtration, which strains out any residual matter. The fourth step, disinfection, uses chlorine to kill any surviving bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. The finished product – SBWR recycled water – is certified by the State Department of Health Services as suitable for unrestricted use, meaning virtually any use except drinking water.

Q. What is recycled water used for?

A. Currently, recycled water in the South Bay is used primarily for turf irrigation at golf courses, parks, schools, and sports complexes. A smaller amount is used for agricultural lands and industrial processes.

Q. How is recycled water kept separate from drinking water?

A. All recycled water pipes are color-coded purple, the national standard used to identify recycled water, and labeled clearly with the words, “Recycled Water—Do not Drink.” This follows standard practice that requires separate pipes for drinking water and recycled water. Guidelines set by the State Department of Health Services and South Bay Water Recycling ensure that clear signage identifies the recycled water pipeline.

Q. Is recycled water safe?

A. Recycled water produced for SBWR is intended for irrigation, but meets standards for “full body contact” meaning that a person could safely swim in it. To ensure that a consistent high level of safety is maintained, recycled water is continually regulated, monitored and tested using standards set by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and State Department of Health Services. This ensures that the water quality far exceeds its intended use. In thousands of applications throughout the U.S., there has never been a documented illness from recycled water use.
Nature has been recycling water for millions of years. By duplicating much of nature’s process, it is now possible for us to purify “recycled” water to a level that is far beyond our drinking water standards.

Q. Is recycled water available to residents of single-family homes?

A. Although recycled water would be great for yards, the amount of water the average home uses does not justify the cost to build a separate new water service to each home. Additionally, the use of recycled water systems requires training and adherence to State Health Department regulations that would make it impractical for current residents to use on home landscaping. Future housing developments might incorporate recycled water into their designs to provide homeowners with a reliable and safe water supply. Presently, however, use is limited to landscaping that is maintained by a central company or organization such as homeowners associations.

Q. Is recycled water used in other communities?

A. Water recycling is not new. It has been used extensively in many communities in California, other parts of the United States, and throughout the world for many years. In California alone, recycled water is used in more than 360 locations and has been used for over 20 years for all types of landscape irrigation, growing crops, industrial processing, environmental enhancement, and ground water recharge.

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