WATER RECYCLING. J u s t D o i n g W h a t C o m e s N a t u r a l l y

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1 WATER RECYCLING WATER RECYCLING J u s t D o i n g W h a t C o m e s N a t u r a l l y

2 SANITATION DISTRICTS WASTEWATER T R E A T M E N T F A C I L I T I E S The Sanitation Districts 11 wastewater treatment plants serve over five million people in 78 cities and unincorporated areas within Los Angeles County. Ten water reclamation plants, stretching from the high desert to the Pacific Ocean, produce nearly 165 million gallons of recycled water each day, available to be either filtered through the soil to recharge the groundwater or utilized at about 640 local reuse sites throughout the County. The treated water from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP), located in Carson, is too salty to reuse without further advanced treatment and is currently released into the ocean. Reclaimed Water Photos on front cover, Day Lily, Pacific Palms Golf Course in the City of Industry, and agricultural irrigation in the Antelope Valley.

3 DROUGHT-PROOFING LA: THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAY. The Sanitation Districts have a proud tradition of providing economical, high-quality wastewater management for Los Angeles County. Operating the largest engineered system of wastewater recycling plants in the world, the Sanitation Districts help over five million Angelenos go with the flow every day by delivering clean, recycled water throughout drought-prone Southern California. Wastewater isn t just water from toilets. It comes from many sources in the home, including washing machines, sinks, and showers, as well as from commercial and industrial processes. Wastewater recycling replicates the natural processes to offer an environmentally sound and cost-effective way to remove the waste and reclaim that water. Production of nearly 165 million gallons of recycled water per day allows a significant reduction in the Los Angeles Basin s dependence on costly imported water and helps to replenish the groundwater used by a large percentage of the region. Electricity and soil amendment are also produced during the water recycling process important resources that help enhance the environment. Photos of recycled water uses, left to right, habitat in the Santa Clara River, the waterfowl preserve at Piute Ponds in Lancaster, irrigation at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, Shaw Carpet Mill, and Pacific Palms Golf Course in the City of Industry. WE TAKE OUR CUE FROM MOTHER NATURE TO CREATE CLEAN RECYCLED WATER. When it comes to recycling wastewater, no one is a better teacher than Mother Nature. After all, she s been doing it since the beginning of time through her own purification system of lakes, streams, and rivers. The Sanitation Districts water reclamation plants literally replicate what happens in nature. They just speed up the process and do it in modern, high-tech facilities. As the population grows, so does the need for new sources of water. Next to water conservation, water recycling is the only significant new source of water that can meet the domestic, industrial, and environmental demands that are increasing on a daily basis.

4 WATER RECYCLING. I T S A S S I M P L E A S 1, 2, 3. Primary Settling Tanks 1. PRIMARY TREATMENT: remove solid materials. When rain runoff first enters a river, heavier solid particles settle to the bottom while lighter materials float to the top and are carried away. At the water reclamation plant, long concrete tanks duplicate what nature does in the river. After the solid materials (both sinking and floating) are removed for further treatment, the remaining wastewater containing dissolved and suspended materials (mostly organic) moves to the second phase of treatment. Secondary Settling Tanks 2. SECONDARY TREATMENT: biodegrade organic materials. As water in a river flows downstream, naturally occurring microorganisms feed on the dissolved organic materials. As the river flows downstream, oxygen naturally enters the water so the organisms can breathe. At the water reclamation plant, air is fed mechanically. The same microorganisms in the wastewater grow as they feed on the organic materials in these tanks. In secondary treatment settling tanks, the microorganisms clump together and settle to the bottom, where they are removed and recycled back into the treatment process. 3. TERTIARY TREATMENT: eliminate fine particulates. Finally, in a natural river, the clean water soaks into the ground beneath the river and combines with the underground water supply. The ground is replaced at the treatment plant by filters, which remove any remaining suspended materials from the water. The water is then disinfected. It is now free of harmful bacteria and viruses and safe for human contact, recharging groundwater, or for a wide variety of other uses. Tertiary Filters

5 FROM PARCHED TO PARADISE: SEE HOW WATER RECYCLING IS CHANGING THE FACE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. How did a vast and arid territory the size of Los Angeles County turn into neighborhood after neighborhood of tree-lined streets, green lawns, landscaped parks, swimming pools, golf courses, and beautiful gardens? What allowed booming businesses and industries to take hold, and attracted an ever-expanding population to the region? Unfortunately, the answer does not lie in an abundant supply of native water. Over the past century, Southern California has had to rely heavily on expensive imported water from the Owens Valley, Northern California rivers, and the mighty Colorado to replenish its groundwater, develop industry, support agriculture, and create communities with lush landscapes. Today, water recycling plays a vital role in reducing the area s dependence on imported water from remote, drought-impacted rivers. Recycling our finite water supply versus importing far-off sources is a more responsible and efficient method of quenching the thirst of drought-prone Southern California. More than 60 million gallons per day of wastewater from the Sanitation Districts service area is reused. Of that amount, approximately half goes to recharging the groundwater supply, which could otherwise be overdrafted in drought conditions. The remaining half is distributed to reuse sites such as golf courses, nurseries, schoolyards, parks, industries, and more.

6 RECYCLED WATER PUMPS UP THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. The recycled water produced by the Sanitation Districts is sold through local public and private water suppliers. A network of purple pipes and pumps delivers the recycled water throughout Los Angeles County. These colorful purple pipes add more than just a splash of green to the landscape. This reliable and affordable source of high-quality water helps to stabilize the region s economic base and protect its environment. WHERE DOES IT GO? The California Department of Public Health oversees the distribution of recycled water and has approved it for a wide variety of uses. About 640 local reuse sites benefit from this newly created water supply, including schoolyards, nurseries, parks, golf courses, buffer zones, and river habitats. Other applications include freeway landscaping, agricultural irrigation, fire fighting, water supply for livestock, industrial reuse, toilet flushing, make-up water for cooling towers, street cleaning, and much more. Apollo Park, Lancaster Wilderness Park, Downey Greenbelts HOW DOES IT HELP? Today, recycled water supplements existing supplies and allows local agencies to provide recycled water at prices lower than potable water. Businesses and industries receive a less costly, dependable water supply, providing them with an incentive to remain in Southern California. This adds to a healthy economic climate. Public areas such as parks, golf courses, schools, and roadway greenbelts stay green, enhancing the quality of life for neighboring residents. Producing water locally also helps save energy by not having to pump as much imported water over the mountains into the basin. These energy savings result in less air pollution, which improves air quality, and helps everyone breathe easier.

7 Recycled Water Irrigation Valve

8 A HEALTHY FORECAST. The evolution of proper sanitary practices, including wastewater management, has virtually eliminated water-borne disease in the United States and contributed to a longer life expectancy. The Sanitation Districts are at the forefront of research and technology that ensure public health and safety. Years of ongoing testing and monitoring have shown that viruses do not exist in the Sanitation Districts tertiary treated reclaimed water. In fact, all reclaimed water produced by the Districts water reclamation plants regularly meets State and Federal drinking water standards and is so clean that it is virtually indistinguishable from tap water. That s good news for Southern California, where the water supply must serve a population that is increasing, knowing that future droughts will continue to reduce fresh water reserves. The Sanitation Districts unique ability to replicate nature through state-of-the-art technologies ensures that they can help the region meet its growing needs for a safe and reliable water supply. PEOPLE ARE TALKING. Using recycled water in an agricultural situation truly promotes conservation of the most precious resource to our industry; namely water. It reduces our dependence on inorganic fertilizers and promotes healthy growth of plants, reducing our dependence on other pesticides. Daniel G. Hostetler Professor, Chair Plant Science Department Recycled Water Line Agricultural fields, Cal Poly Pomona Pacific Palms Golf Course, City of Industry The Water Replenishment District of Southern California has been working with the Sanitation Districts since the 1960s to increase water reuse. Through our partnership, WRD has been able to combat seawater intrusion, help manage our groundwater basin, and make recycled water a Trailing Lantana valuable resource for our region. Albert Robles Director, Water Replenishment Districts of Southern California

9 Butterfly Lily

10 THINK SMART. CHECK OUT FOR DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS, WATER CONSERVATION TIPS, AND LANDSCAPES THAT LOOK GREAT AND NEED LESS WATER. That's the beauty that native, drought-tolerant plants afford many Southern Californians who love a gorgeous garden, but don t like getting soaked on their water bill. At you ll discover a web resource that s overflowing with great water conservation tips and ideas for the home and garden. LEARN HOW TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL, WATER-WISE GARDEN. Click on the advanced search plant database for hundreds of plant varieties. Find local nurseries committed to stocking native and California-friendly plants. Save with residential and commercial rebate programs for low-flush toilets, high-efficiency clothes washers, and more. Discover incentive programs for industrial customers, builders, and landscapers. Watering calculators Top tips for saving water Education programs for elementary, middle, and high school students Water conservation grant opportunities GARDEN TIPS: Make sure not to over water your lawn. Give your sprinklers a tune-up to make sure they aren't watering the sidewalk or street. Water your landscape in the morning or evening to avoid evaporation in the heat of the day. Put a layer of mulch (bark, peat moss, or gravel) around trees and plants to slow evaporation. Use a broom or rake rather than a hose to remove leaves and debris from driveway, walks, and patios. Use native and drought-tolerant plants and grasses in your landscape and adjust your watering to take advantage of the less-thirsty plants.

11 WATER CONSERVATION: ANOTHER NATURAL WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE. Droughts happen, especially in Southern California. That s why practicing simple water conservation measures has become second nature to many who live here. For example, something as simple as turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth saves three gallons of water a day per person. This, along with a few other easy-to-implement conservation measures, can add up to thousands of gallons a month. And that helps save in another important area the household water bill.for an in-depth list of water conservation tips, visit or To learn more about water recycling, visit our website at CONSERVATION TIPS Check pipes, faucets, and toilets for leaks. One small drip can waste over 1,500 gallons of water a month. Replace your toilet with an ultra-low-flush model to save water and money. Run only full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer. Dishwashers can use up to 15 gallons per load; clothes washers up to 60 gallons per load. Install a water-efficient showerhead to save water and hot water energy costs. Be sure the car wash you go to recycles their wash water. In a restaurant, turn your glass over if you don t want water. It saves both the water you drink and the water used to wash the glass. During rainy seasons, reset automatic sprinkler systems to conserve water.

12 w w w. l a c s d. o r g Wo r k m a n M i l l R o a d, W h i t t i e r C A Te l e p h o n e , ext. 2301