How much recycled water will be available through the project?
The project will provide 1.6 million gallons per day (mgd), on average per year, to meet current identified demands in at the San Francisco Zoo, Golden Gate Park, and Lincoln Park Golf Course. The project is designed to deliver up to 2 mgd, on an average annual basis, and a peak demand at any given time of 4 mgd.
Why build it now?
The next major earthquake could be tomorrow. The next drought is imminent. Regulatory changes can affect the availability of water supply. These risks are always with us, and recycled water production and use is a crucial element in addressing these and other vulnerabilities. It takes several years to evaluate, fund, and develop new water supply projects and we need to be ready in advance of the need, not afterward.
When will recycled water be delivered? Environmental Review and Design have been completed, and construction began in early 2017. Recycled water deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026.
Treatment Facility and Process
A new Recycled Water Treatment Facility is being constructed within the limits of our existing Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP). Secondary effluent from the Oceanside WPCP will undergo an advanced treatment process using membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light disinfection to produce recycled water at a level that will exceed state of California standards. The project will produce and deliver up to 2 mgd on average of recycled water, with peak deliveries of up to 4 mgd during the summertime of recycled water that is suitable for all recycled water uses approved by the State of California.
Distribution System
Almost 8 miles of new recycled water pipelines have been constructed mostly under City streets. These pipelines will bring recycled water from the newly constructed treatment facility to customers. Construction has also begun on an underground recycled water reservoir, and above-ground recycled water pump station in Golden Gate Park that will pump recycled water to Lincoln Park.