THE STORY OF RECYCLED WATER IN CARLSBAD

Water Gets A Second Chance...

San Diego County is blessed with plenty of sunshine, sandy beaches, and friendly people. Unfortunately, one of our most important resources - water - is not so plentiful.

In fact, because we live in a semi-arid region that gets little rainfall, we must import an average of 90 percent of our water from the Colorado River and Northern California. Being dependent on imported water, it is important that San Diego County residents learn to use water more wisely.

One of the wisest uses of water is to give it a second chance, to use it again after it is flushed down the drain at our homes and businesses. This process is called recycling wastewater, or water recycling. It's a lot like cleaning and reusing your clothes when they get dirty.

What is recycled water?

Recycled water is municipal wastewater that has been treated to meet California Department of Health Services criteria as included in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. These regulations set treatment standards for different types of water reuse. The recycled water being delivered within the Carlsbad Municipal Water District service area has received an advanced level of treatment known as tertiary.

This treatment process mirrors nature's own treatment, only at an increased speed. Primary treatment settles the solids out of the wastewater. In the secondary treatment stage, biological systems consume organic waste. In the third or "tertiary" stage, wastewater is filtered through fine sand or charcoal. The recycled water is then disinfected before leaving the treatment plant. The finished product is a high quality water that is safe to use.

How is using recycled water different from potable water?

While recycled water is a highly treated product, it is not treated to the same standards as potable water (potable water is the water that is delivered to your home or business and is safe for consumption). For this reason, conditions on the use of recycled water have been established.

Recycled water is not suitable for drinking. Recycled water customers must post informational signs, mark sprinkler heads, valving and other appurtances, and ensure that there are no cross-connections between the potable and recycled systems. Improper cross-connections could result in the flow of reclaimed water into the potable system.

Irrigating with recycled water is generally scheduled between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This minimizes misting and evaporation for more effective irrigation. It also minimizes the chance of public contact.

Recycled water contains nitrogen and phosphorus which can provide a fertilizer benefit. However, the salt level is slightly elevated, so periodic overwatering, also known as leaching, may be necessary, depending on soil and plant characteristics.

How does the City of Carlsbad use recycled water?

The City of Carlsbad has approximately 26 miles of recycled distribution pipeline. This distribution system currently supplies 58 recycled use sites. The sites served by recycled water include La Costa Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Resort at Aviara, Legoland of California, Grand Pacific Palisades Hotel, Karl Strauss Brewery and the world renowned Flower Fields. While these are the most recognized sites being supplied with recycled water, it is also supplied to parks, median strips, shopping areas, freeway landscaping and the "common areas" of numerous homeowners associations.

Recycled water is supplied to Carlsbad from two sources: the Meadowlark Treatment Plant, owned and operated by the Vallecitos Water District, and the Gafner Treatment Plant, owned and operated by the Leucadia County Water District. These two plants produce approximately 2.5 million gallons per day of tertiary treated, disinfected recycled water. As more recycled water projects come on-line, more recycled water will be available. Within the next three to five years, the amount of recycled water available to the public will increase by approximately 6 million gallons per day.

Information regarding the recycled water program in the City of Carlsbad can be obtained by contacting Joe Adams, Public Works Supervisor, at (760) 438-2722 ext. 7135.

Signage is required in areas that use recycled water to indicate that it is not safe to drink.

Recycled pipes, valves and sprinkler heads are easily recognizable by their purple color.

This buffalo is made entirely of "legos". The grass around it is irrigated with recycled water.

This lake near the Aviara Golf Course is filled entirely with recycled water.