What You Need to Know About Recycled Water

Landscaping with Recycled Water

Converting from Hetch Hetchy drinking water to recycled water does not generally require radical changes to your landscaping. The vast majority of plants thrive with recycled water. However, “hard water” (salinity or minerals) could reduce growth on acid loving plants and produce spotting on glossy leaved species. In some cases, the Recycled Water Project will cover the costs of replacing sensitive plants with species more suitable for the bay front environment.

Before converting to recycled water use, you should evaluate your existing irrigation system for:

• Proper water pressure throughout the system, as sprinkler heads perform most effectively within their design pressure range.
• Poor coverage or lack of water distribution uniformity as a result of poor system design, installation or maintenance.
• Problems with over spray and runoff; broken or damaged sprinkler heads.
• Equipment shortcomings such as controllers with too few stations or inflexible run times; or controllers that lack the ability to use multiple run times, test programs, or turn the system off during rainy periods.
• Hydro-zoning or planting so that plants with similar soil and water needs are located in areas served by the same valve or valves.

Remember that over-watering, under-watering and excess salt levels can all cause the same or similar plant damage symptoms. Check the overall appearance of your plants while using potable water. In many cases, plant decline can be traced to excess water in combination with poor drainage. When using recycled water, always apply the optimum amount necessary to meet plant requirements, no more and no less.

Most landscaping thrives using recycled water

Recycled Water Safety Record

California has been safely using treated recycled water since 1929. There has not been one confirmed case of anyone becoming ill from the safe and proper use of recycled water for the intended use of landscape or agricultural irrigation or industrial use. Public health experts, pediatricians, specialists, leaders in the medical community, and virtually all of the credible scientific evidence available agree, that irrigation is a safe use for recycled water.

Remember, recycled water is intended for irrigation purposes only. Do not drink or wash with recycled water. If you do come into contact with the water, wash with soap and water and then rinse.

The South Bayside System Authority

Redwood City’s wastewater is processed and treated at the South Bayside System Authority (SBSA) plant located on the eastern edge of Redwood Shores. By the time recycled water is available for landscape irrigation, the SBSA will have completed the system upgrades necessary to provide Redwood City’s customers with high-quality tertiary-treated recycled water that meets or exceeds the Department of Health Service’s most stringent requirements (Title 22).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is recycled water?
The California Water Code defines recycled water as “water, which, as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur.” Recycled water reduces the amount of fresh water required for non-drinking uses, ensuring that the best and purest sources of water will be reserved for the highest use — public drinking water.

What kind of water will SBSA produce?
The recycled water will be tertiary-treated to a very high quality, meeting or exceeding California’s strict Title 22 water reuse standards for outdoor landscape irrigation and industrial purposes. After entering the SBSA treatment plant, wastewater from homes and businesses undergoes a carefully regulated purification and disinfection process. Throughout the process, samples are taken and tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory to ensure high-quality water.

How will the public know if the water irrigating a landscaped area is drinking water or recycled water?
Signs will clearly designate landscape areas being irrigated with recycled water.
 

Does recycled water give our landscape sufficient minerals?
The higher nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in recycled water is beneficial to turf grasses. In many cases, turf and other landscape plants will obtain all the phosphorous and potassium they require and a large part of their nitrogen requirement from recycled water. Sufficient micro-nutrients are usually also supplied by recycled water.

Will this water smell bad?
It is possible some people may detect a slight chlorine smell, usually less than a swimming pool or hot tub.