10b – Southside Non-Potable Water Re-Use Project

Re-Using Cleaned Wastewater

The Southside Re-Use Program will use treated domestic and industrial wastewater, piped from the Water Authority’s Southside Water Reclamation Plant, to irrigate turf at some26 parks, fields and other recreational areas. We can re-use, or reclaim wastewater and industrial effluent by “polishing” it and avoid using high-quality drinking water on public landscapes. This will allow us to reduce our reliance on unsustainable groundwater pumping and protect our aquifer as a drought reserve. When it becomes operational in late 2010 or early 2011, the Southside Re-Use Program will save about 2,500 acre-feet of water annually, equal to the amount of water used by about 7,500 homes.

The Water Authority is already using reclaimed industrial water to irrigate turf areas in the Northeast Heights, including but not limited to the Balloon Fiesta Park and Arroyo del Oso Golf Course and Park. When combined with the Southside Re-Use Project, both programs will save an estimated 5,000 acre-feet of water a year, or 1.7 billion gallons per year.