The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2011-12
PLAN AND ASSESS: WASTEWATER RECYCLING |
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WASTEWATER RECYCLING-WATER RECLAMATION |
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| MEASURE: |
TARGETS AND TRENDS IN RECYCLED WATER USE |
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| MESSAGE: |
Recycled water use is on the increase, but additional gains will be needed to meet our future goals. |
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MEASUREMENTS
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
The data show that despite increases in the amount of wastewater recycled in recent years there is still a significant level of effort needed to meet the 2010 and 2015 goals.
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
The Strategic Plan Update 2008-2012 for the Water Boards includes a priority to increase sustainable local water supplies available for meeting existing and future beneficial uses by 1,725,000 acre-feet per year, in excess of 2002 levels, by 2015, and ensure adequate water flows for fish and wildlife habitat. The Water Board’s 2009 Recycled Water Policy (Policy) supports the Strategic Plan priority to Promote Sustainable Local Water Supplies. Increasing the acceptance and promoting the use of recycled water is a means towards achieving sustainable local water supplies and can result in reduction in greenhouse gases, a significant driver of climate change. The Policy is also intended to encourage beneficial use of, rather than solely disposal of, recycled water. The mission of the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) is to promote the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater (water recycling) in order to augment fresh water supplies in California by providing technical and financial assistance to agencies and other stakeholders in support of water recycling projects and research.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
GLOSSARY
- Recycled Water
- Recycled water means water which, as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is therefore considered a valuable resource. (Water Code § 13050(n)).
- Acre-foot
- It is defined by the volume of one acre of surface area to a depth of one foot. Since the acre is defined as a chain by a furlong (66 ft × 660 ft) the acre-foot is exactly 43,560 cubic feet. One acre-foot is taken to be the planned water usage of a suburban family household, annually.
- Water Recycling Targets
- The Water Boards Water Recycling Policy identifies the goals and mandates to recycled water by 2010, 2015 and 2030. Section 13577 of the California Water Code establishes the water recycling goals of 700,000 acre feet of water per year by the year 2000 and 1,000,000 acre-feet of water per year by the year 2010.
