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Why is VVWRA developing a recycled water program? As residents of the high desert, we are fortunate
to enjoy countless days What is recycled water? Recycled water starts out as wastewater, which is then treated so it is suitable for landscape irrigation and other non-drinking purposes. Recycled water is processed through biological treatment, filtration and disinfection systems before being provided to customers. Where will recycled water be used?
Recycled water is currently being used by the Westwinds Golf Course with future plans to expand recycled water use at the former George Air Force Base. The water will be used to irrigate athletic fields and other landscaped areas. Is recycled water safe? Because recycled water originates from wastewater, its use is strictly regulated and monitored by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and other regulatory agencies. These guidelines are precautionary measures intended to protect the public from any potential risk associated with recycled water. Recycled water, once treated, is very similar to drinking water and safe to swim in. In over 75 years of use in California, there has never been a documented case of anyone becoming ill from contact with recycled water. Recycled water is similar to drinking water and
is cleaner and safer than the water found in most rivers, lakes, and
beaches. Recycled water is also used at recreational lakes where
people boat, swim and fish. The treatment process proposed at the subregional facilities will fully disinfect the water, making the
water “pathogen free.”
To take further precautions, parks and playgrounds will usually irrigate at night, a time of day when students are gone or the park is not populated. If for some reason the sprinklers are on and the kids play in the sprinklers, or even if they drink directly from the sprinkler, they will not get sick. Adverse health effects from recycled water could appear only if it were ingested in large quantities over an extended period of time. That is why recycled water is not intended for drinking. Where does the recycled water come from? The water starts out in our homes and businesses that are connected to the sewer systems. Once that water is in the sewer system if flows to our regional wastewater treatment plant in Victorville off of Shay Road. Wastewater that goes into septic systems receives only limited treatment and eventually makes its way back into the groundwater. What are the benefits of using recycled water? Using recycled water for non-drinking purposes such as landscape irrigation, will help reduce the amount of groundwater we use. Recycled water is drought-proof, which helps protect local investments in parks, golf courses and other landscape areas. Recycling water is the same concept as recycling paper, bottles or cans. This valuable resource can be used again rather than being disposed. Will the recycled water program impact the Mojave adjudication? A majority of the recycled water will come from increase flows associated with future growth in the service area. The existing VVWRA plant is under construction to expand to 18.5 million gallons per day (mgd). With growth of the region, VVWRA needs to plan to process at least 25.6 mgd by the year 2020. The subregional facilities will treat at least 7.0 - 8.5 mgd of this growth flow. Does recycled water look different than tap water? No. Recycled water is the end product of a three-stage treatment process. Following tertiary treatment, the water is clear, colorless, odorless, and virtually indistinguishable from tap water to the human senses. The recycled water does not contain any constituents that exceed federal and state drinking water standards for heavy metals, minerals, trace organic compounds, pesticides, microorganisms, or radionucleides. Who regulates recycled water? Recycled water is regulated by the California Department of Health, which sets strict standards for treatment and disinfection. Currently, Department of Health staff monitor over 400,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year. Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, which is administered by the Department of Health Services, is one of the most stringent recycled water regulations in the world, and is being used as a model for other states. There is presently no federal legislation that controls recycled water uses. The production, conveyance (pipelines and pump stations) and use of recycled water is also regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board, and through the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board located in Victorville. Subregional Wastewater Reclamation Facilities FAQ’s Why is VVWRA planning to build subregional reclamation facilities? New subregional wastewater reclamation facilities will be built to accommodate growth and reduce the amount of wastewater that goes to the existing regional treatment plant. These facilities will not only alleviate the strain on exiting sewer pipelines but also provide recycled water near anticipated large recycled water users. Where will the subregional plants be located? The proposed sites correspond to known and anticipated demands for recycled water. The program would include subregional facilities in Hesperia and Apple Valley. The recycled water would be used for landscape irrigation purposes. How much will the program cost? Each subregional reclamation facility will cost approximately $20 - $25 million. VVWRA will fund project improvements through a combination of federal and state grants, low-interest loans, sewer connection fees and municipal bonds. Is recycled water the most cost effective way to produce a new water supply? Yes. In addition to providing recycled water for
irrigation and industrial processes, the subregional facilities will
provide the necessary capacity to treat sewage for the growing
population. Treating the wastewater closer to its source will reduce
or eliminate the cost to build new pipelines to convey sewage all the
way to the The subregionals will also be located near large water users so that the recycled water will not have to be pumped very far to be used for irrigation and industrial processes. Using recycled water for irrigation conserves our groundwater supplies for residents and businesses. Recycled water is drought-proof, which helps protect local investments in parks, golf courses and other landscape areas. If you examine all of the different ways to secure new water supplies, recycled water is the most beneficial and economical. What will the facilities look like? Aesthetically, the subregional will blend in and reflect the local community. There will be opportunities for the public to comment on design elements. The facilities will be designed with full odor control. Will recycled water be available to residents at their homes? With the proposed subregional projects, recycled water will probably not be made available for use by individual residents. Because the demand for irrigation will be greater than the supply of recycled water, the program will be more cost effective if the recycled water is sent to large water users such as golf courses, parks, and cemeteries. There are communities in California that use recycled water on residential landscaping, but due to the limited supply it is not likely that this will be pursued in the Victor Valley. Will the subregionals impact my property values? No. Once the subregional facilities sites are selected, we will be working closely with the surrounding communities to build treatment facilities that blend in with the area, using architecture that “fits” and landscaping surrounding the facility to screen it from view. Meetings will be conducted with local residents surrounding the sites, so they can provide input on the aesthetics of the facility. Will the subregional facilities have an odor? No. The subregional facilities will be equipped with odor controls devices to capture and remove offensive odors. To reduce the potential for odors, the subregionals will discharge solids back into the sewer system for treatment at the regional treatment plant, which is remotely located on Shay Road in Victorville. How often is recycled water tested? The recycled water leaving the subregional facilities will be tested daily for compliance with all quality standards and permit limits. Where can I go for more information? Please feel free to contact VVWRA with any questions that you may have to: Linda Ellsworth |
of sunshine and a unique landscape.
Unfortunately, the lack of rain means we need to manage our
groundwater supplies and the Mojave River with the utmost of care.
With the Victor Valley as one of the fastest growing communities in
California, we need to ensure adequate water supplies for future
generations. VVWRA is planning to augment future supplies with
recycled water. Reusing water helps to reduce the amount of drinking
water withdrawn from dwindling groundwater reserves.
Recycled water will be used to irrigate golf
courses, school grounds, parks, greenbelts, freeway medians and
cemeteries. Recycled water will also be used for fire suppression and
industrial cooling and process water.
regional treatment plant.