California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2019-20 

PLAN & ASSESS: WASTEWATER RECYCLING

GROUP:
WASTEWATER RECYCLING-WATER RECLAMATION

MESSAGE:
The 2001 survey data show that recycled water use is closely linked to land uses. Urban areas use recycled water mainly for landscape irrigation and commercial andindustrial purposes (urban use) and rural areas use it for agricultural irrigation.

MEASURE:
RECYCLED WATER USE BY REGIONAL BOARD. 2001 SURVEY

KEY STATISTICS FOR 2001
Agricultural Use: 240,950 
Urban Use: 138,956 
Indirect Potable Use: 74,684 
Other Uses: 70,870 

MEASUREMENTS

Regional
Offices		 Agricultural
Irrigation		 Urban
Uses		 Indirect
Potable
Reuse		 Other Total
1 12,694 2,675 - 1,977 17,346
2 8,318 14,979 - 6,223 29,520
3 22,110 3,178 - 5 25,293
4 3,752 48,605 56,898 43,061 152,316
5F 110,046 80 - 111 110,237
5R 1,314 112 - - 1,426
5S 35,349 1,695 2,500 1,009 40,553
6 8,588 8,483 - 7,347 24,418
7 2,951 6,624 - 172 9,747
8 30,795 28,334 15,000 9,520 83,649
9 5,033 24,191 286 1,445 30,955
TOTAL 240,950 138,956 74,684 70,870 525,460

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Click on a Region in the Map below, to see 2001 Recycled Water Use for that region.

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

By comparing the use of recycled water by Regional Board we see that the type of use is closely linked to the type of land use. The 2001 survey data shows that, for instance, in the Los Angeles region (R4), recycled water use is characterized by urban use and indirect potable reuse, while in rural areas like Fresno (R5F), recycled water is primarily used for agricultural irrigation.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The Strategic Plan Update 2008-2012 for the Water Boards includes a priority to increase sustainable local water supplies available for meeting existing and future beneficial uses by 1,725,000 acre-feet per year, in excess of 2002 levels, by 2015, and ensure adequate water flows for fish and wildlife habitat. The Water Board's 2009 Recycled Water Policy (Policy) supports the Strategic Plan priority to Promote Sustainable Local Water Supplies. Increasing the acceptance and promoting the use of recycled water is a means towards achieving sustainable local water supplies and can result in reduction in greenhouse gases, a significant driver of climate change. The Policy is also intended to encourage beneficial use of, rather than solely disposal of, recycled water. The mission of the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) is to promote the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater (water recycling) in order to augment fresh water supplies in California by providing technical and financial assistance to agencies and other stakeholders in support of water recycling projects and research.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

GLOSSARY

Recycled Water
Recycled water means 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 and is therefore considered a valuable resource. (Water Code § 13050(n)).

Acre-Foot
It is defined by the volume of one acre of surface area to a depth of one foot. Since the acre is defined as a chain by a furlong (66 ft × 660 ft) the acre-foot is exactly 43,560 cubic feet. One acre-foot is taken to be the planned water usage of a suburban family household, annually.

Indirect Potable Reuse
The planned incorporation of recycled water into a raw water supply such as in potable water storage reservoirs or a groundwater aquifer, resulting in mixing and assimilation, thus providing an environmental buffer.

Urban Uses
Includes Golf Course Irrigation, Landscape Irrigation and Commercial and Industrial Uses.

Other Uses
Includes Geothermal Energy Production, Recreational Impoundment, Natural Systems Restoration, Surface Water Augmentation and all Other Uses.