Recycled Water

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Using Recycled Water

Recycled Water FAQ

What Is Recycled Water?

Recycled water is an alternative water source that can safely replace potable water in a variety of uses. This significantly reduces demands on the potable water supply. As you can see in the diagram to the right, wastewater has two main destinations: the bay, or recycled water.

Rather than go to the bay, wastewater is given extra, tertiary treatment turning it into recycled water. Recycled water is safe to use in place of potable water for select uses, such as watering plants, filling decorative fountains, and flushing toilets.

Recycled Water System Development

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the project expanded the City's recycled water system along the eastern edge of the 101 Highway, from Redwood Shores to the Greater Bayfront Area. Construction of Phase 1 was completed on time and on budget over a five year period from 2005 to 2010. It added two tertiary treatment facilities, two 2.2 million gallon storage tanks, a distribution pump station, and 17 miles of distribution pipelines. Since pumping began in 2007, the Recycled Water Project has helped save hundreds of millions of gallons of drinking water each year.

Phase 1 currently supplies recycled water to more than 450 points of connection. Sites being served by recycled water include:

Oracle
Electronic Arts
HOAs
Redwood City Police Station
Port of Redwood City
SIMS Metal

Phase 2

The City is planning to adopt and implement a Recycled Water Master Plan (RWMP) for continued use of recycled water in Redwood City. The purpose of the RWMP is to provide a logical planning framework for the City to expand the recycled water system in phases to service additional customers, and improve the existing recycled water system. This includes expansion of the Recycled Water Service Area east of Woodside Rd. and expansion of the recycled water pipelines in that area and within central Redwood City. The Phase 2 area is to the south-west of Highway 101 primarily between the vicinity of Whipple Rd and Woodside Rd.

Environmental Review

The City has determined that a program-level Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be necessary to evaluate the environmental impacts of the Recycled Water Master Plan (RWMP) Phase 2 Project.

Documents

Notice of Preparation and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

Meetings

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Zoning Administrator (EIR Public Scoping Meeting)

Other Phase 2 Projects

Phase 2A Extension

Phase 2A was completed in 2017 extending the recycled water system along Walnut Street from Highway 101 to Marshall St.

Stanford in Redwood City Extension

In 2019, the recycled water pipeline along East Bayshore Rd from Seaport Blvd. to Douglas Ave. and across Highway 101 to service the Stanford in Redwood City project was completed.

Kaiser Extension

In 2021, Kaiser Medical Office Building project (MOB-2) completed an extension of the Phase 2A pipeline on Marshall Street to their new MOB-2 on Maple and Marshall Street.

Broadway Plaza Extension

Early 2022, a pipeline extension project was completed to serve recycled water to the new Broadway Plaza project. The pipeline extended from the Kaiser pipeline, near the intersection of Marshall St. and Maple St. down to Beach St. and then along Broadway to the intersection of Broadway and Woodside Road.

Strada - 1548 Maple St. Extension

This project extended the recycled water system from Blomquist St. and Maple St. west along a new section of Blomquist St. and then north on Maple towards the Bay. The Strada project is located along the City’s waterfront, within the previously proposed Inner Harbor Specific Plan (IHSP) area.

Elco Yards Extension

The Elco Yards recycled water pipeline is under construction and anticipated to be completed in 2025. Elco Yards is extending the pipeline from Walnut St. and Marshall St. to their project site on El Camino Real and Beech St.