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Recycled Water

Recycled water at Renaissance La Jolla

Recycled water for irrigation and industrial use gives San Diego a dependable, year-round and locally controlled water resource. The City of San Diego operate the North City and South Bay water reclamation plants where wastewater is treated to a level that is approved for irrigation, manufacturing and other non-drinking or non-potable purposed. This is called recycled water. Careful monitoring by City staff, state health officials and water quality-control agencies ensures that recycled water produced by the City of San Diego meets all federal, state and local water quality standards.

As the City of San Diego prepares for the commissioning and startup of Phase 1 of Pure Water San Diego, its advanced purified water program, through 2026, temporary impacts to the operation of the recycled water system are anticipated. Please review recent notices below about the operation of the recycled water system.

Recycled Water System Notices

Programs and Services

Rules and Regulations

The California State Water Resources Control Board sets the standards for levels of treatment and types of uses for recycled water. These standards are included in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22.

There are extensive rules and regulations regarding the use of recycled water in the City of San Diego. These include making sure all pipes, sprinkler heads, meter boxes, and other irrigation equipment are properly marked or color-coded purple and properly labeled with signage to distinguish them from potable water supplies. The Public Utilities Department will work with customers to ensure they are in compliance with all regulations.

Approved uses of recycled water include the irrigation of:

  • Parks
  • Playgrounds
  • School-yards
  • Residential landscaping
  • Common areas
  • Nurseries
  • Freeway landscaping
  • Golf courses

Additional approved uses for recycled water include recreational water bodies including fishing/boating and source water for industrial processing, commercial laundries and soil compaction. Recycled water is also available for construction purposes under the Recycled Water Tanker Truck Program (see below).     

Recycled Water Tanker Truck Program 

State of California health officials allow local recycled water tanker truck programs for construction purposes only. The City has one operational tanker truck filling station in South Bay which is currently used by SDG&E. The City is exploring options to add additional commercial filling stations in the northern service area.

Related Documents

Pure Water San Diego

Pure Water San Diego is an advanced water purification water program that will provide nearly half of San Diego's water supply locally by the end of 2035.

The Pure Water San Diego Program will use proven water purification technology to clean recycled water to produce safe, high-quality drinking water. The Program offers a cost-effective investment for San Diego's water needs and will provide a reliable, sustainable water supply. Commissioning of the infrastructure associated with Phase 1 of Pure Water San Diego will be ongoing through 2026.

Training

More Information

For questions or more information, contact the Public Utilities Department at 619-533-5358 or crossconnect@sandiego.gov. No applications for new connections to the City's Recycled Water Program in the northern part of the City will be accepted after Dec. 31, 2023. Learn more: Fact Sheet and FAQ

Sustainability