City of San Luis Obispo Recycled Water Program

2013

Recycled Water Program History

1991 - City applied for recycled water use with State Water Quality Control Board

First new water supply since deliveries began from Whale Rock Reservoir in 1961

Recycled Water Program Meeting the City’s Water Needs

1,800 acre feet of water needed to meet build-out in General Plan

Initial estimates were that 1,200 acre feet available water could be realized from Water Reuse Project

One acre-foot served about 3.5 average single family homes for a year

Recycled Water Program History – Other Steps

1993 - Water Reuse

Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report released

1994 - WRF upgrades to tertiary completed

1997 - Water Reuse Project’s Environmental Impact Report was certified

2000 - Application approved

2003 - Construction began

Council Members Ewan, Schwartz, Mulholland, and Romero (Mayor)

Recycled Water Master Plan approved by City Council in 2004

Looked at distribution system alternatives and defined an area to serve with recycled water in the future

Goal of 1,000 AFY through Retrofits to existing irrigation systems, landscape irrigation for new development, and an ag exchange program (400 AFY)

An update of the Master Plan is underway in 2013

Recycled Water Program Master Planning

Water Reuse Project constructed in two parts Eight miles of recycled water

distribution pipeline (~$5 million)

Improvements at the City’s Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) located on Prado Road (~$5.5 million)

Funding $8.8 million State Revolving Fund

Loan

$2.9 million State Grant

Recycled Water Program Project Construction (2003-06)

Average wastewater flow of 4 million gallons per day that receives tertiary treatment at the City’s Water Reclamation Facility

A minimum flow of 2.5 cubic feet per second is required to sustain fish population in SLO Creek

Recycled Water Program Available Water Supply

When recycled water deliveries began in

2006, it was the City’s first new water supply

in 40 years!

Recycled Water Program Milestone

Goals, Plans and Policies

• Major City Goal from 1991-93 to 2003-05 • General Plan, Water Management Element, Section 7 • Urban Water Management Plan, Section 3.2 • Water Reuse Master Plan, July 2004

Municipal Code

When in the judgment of the city, reclaimed water service can be feasibly provided to a particular parcel for particular uses, the utilities director shall require the use of reclaimed water in lieu of potable water for those uses…

(13.24.010 Statement of Policy, Ord. 1403 § 1, 2001)

General Plan, Water Management Element

GOAL A 7.1.2 Maximize the use of the City’s available recycled water supply for approved uses.

Program A 7.3.1 Expand the recycled water distribution system to serve customers in the Water Reuse Master Plan area.

Utilities Department Strategic Plan (Stewardship)

Increase awareness of the availability of recycled water and expand recycled water use.

Recycled Water Program City Goals, Plans, and Policies

City and other public agencies City Parks, Streetscapes, and Medians

Laguna Lake Golf Course

Laguna Middle School

Cal Trans for irrigation of landscaping along US 101

Commercial Centers: Irish Hills Plaza, Costco,

Laguna Village Shopping Center,

Courtyard by Marriott,

Prefumo Creek Commons (Target),

Olive Garden, and Hampton Inn

Home Owners Associations: Los Verdes I, and

De Tolosa Homes

Recycled Water Program Current Customers

Recycled Water Program Current & Future Customers

SESLOC Construction on Broad Street

Mangano Homes Construction, off of Prado Road

Recycled Water Program Construction Water Permit Program

Program began in 2009

Three wharf-style hydrants for filling water trucks are located on Prado Road, Industrial Way, and Calle Joaquin

Cost is $1,260 for an unlimited annual supply

Recycled Water Program Future Expansion

Continue to connect additional sites through retrofit of existing irrigation systems along distribution lines

Expansion of infrastructure by new construction in the Orcutt, Margarita, and Airport Specific Plan Areas

0

50

100

150

200

Recycled Water Delivery 2007-2013

(in Acre Feet per Year)

Recycled Water Program Challenges Along the Way

Permitting

Construction Weather conditions, earthquake, unmarked utilities, permits and easements, traffic concerns

System Commissioning

Expansion

Safe, reliable, drought-resistant supply

Environmentally smart

State and City goals

Extends City water supply

Economical as recycled water rates set at 90% of potable water rates

Recycled Water Program Benefits

Laguna Middle School on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo began using recycled water for their landscape irrigation in 2008

Questions?

Jennifer Metz, Utilities Project Manager

City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department

(805) 781-7239

jmetz@slocity.org