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Recycled Water
What is Recycled Water?
Treated wastewater (secondary effluent) is sent through filters to produce recycled water. The filtration process removes very fine particulate matter and is called tertiary treatment. Recycled water is used mainly for irrigation of landscaping at parks, schools, the zoo, golf courses, homeowners associations, and retirement homes. Additionally some of the recycled water is used for toilet flushing in public restrooms at sites irrigated with recycled water.
History of Recycled Water Project
After several dry years in the late 1970’s, and continued population growth in the City, analysis of the City’s water supply showed that additional water sources were needed. Recycled water was identified as a potential substitute for potable water for irrigation and other uses. In 1980, a study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using recycled water in Santa Barbara. The results of the study showed that recycled water for irrigation purposes was economically, technically, and environmentally feasible.
Funding for the Recycled Water Project
The City’s Recycled Water Project was developed in two phases. This allowed the funding of the project to be spread out over a greater period of time. Phase I was completed in July 1989, and Phase II was completed in May 1991. The total cost of the project was $15,200,000. To fund the project, the City received $7 million in low interest loans from the California State Water Resources Control Board. The remaining project costs were paid for with funds from revenue bond sales and cash reserves. The cost per acre foot of recycled water is approximately $1,200.
Why use recycled water?
Every gallon of recycled water for irrigation saves a gallon of potable water that can be used in homes and businesses. Recycled water serves an important role in the diversity of the City’s water supplies. Recycled water is used at over 40 sites throughout the City, and the annual demand for recycled water is currently 800 acre feet–approximately 700,000 gallons per day. The City continues to expand the use of recycled water at existing sites, as well as identifying new sites.
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Policies & Requirements
City’s Recycled Water Policy & Approved Uses
The City of Santa Barbara’s Recycled Water Project delivers tertiary treated wastewater to over 48 sites which use approximately 800 acre feet per year. The Recycled Water Project was developed in two phases: Phase I was completed in July 1989 and Phase II was completed in May 1991.
California Water Law (Title 22) regulates recycled water use. The law states that the following uses are approved for tertiary treated recycled water (City’s recycled water):
Irrigation of: food crops, orchards, all landscaping (residential, commercial and public), and pasture for animals.
Supply for impoundment (lakes/ponds): non-restricted recreational impoundments (swimming allowed), fish hatcheries, and landscape impoundments.
Supply for cooling or air conditioning: industrial or commercial cooling or air conditioning with cooling tower, evaporative condenser, or spraying that creates a mist
Other uses: flushing toilets and urinals, priming drain traps, industrial process water that may contact workers, structural and nonstructural fire fighting, decorative fountains, commercial laundries, consolidation of backfill material around potable water pipelines, artificial snow making, industrial boiler feed, soil compaction, mixing concrete, dust control on roads and streets, flushing sanitary sewers, and cleaning roads, sidewalks and outdoor work areas.
The City’s policy (and State law) is to require recycled water for irrigation for: multiple family developments, developments with common area irrigated lots, and commercial developments that are adjacent to the recycled water main line. (City Municipal Code 14.23.010-14.23.030.) The City’s policy is to encourage but not require all other uses. Single family residential parcels adjacent to the recycled water main line are not required but are encouraged to use recycled water on their sites.
There are plan specifications that must be followed for recycled water, a user agreement that must be recorded and other review requirements that all sites must go through before the recycled water meter is issued.
Recycled Water Policy and Approved Uses 
Recycled Water User Site Specifications 
Recycled Water Use Requirements 
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Landscaping & Plants
User Survey Plant List 
El Estero Demonstration Garden Plant List  )
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