What is Recycled Water?
Recycled water has been a key part of Upper District’s overall strategy of supplementing local water supplies. It is being used extensively throughout California to irrigate golf courses, parks, freeway landscaping and crops. It is also being used to replenish groundwater basins, to serve as a barrier to seawater intrusion and by industry for cooling processes and other purposes. Upper District’s success in proactively advancing water recycling is largely attributable to the support of its partners. The United States Bureau of Reclamation, State Water Resources Control Board, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County and many others have contributed to Upper District’s water recycling efforts. Reclaimed water projects and its availability as an alternative water source continues to be pursued to help drought-proof the Main San Gabriel Basin.
Upper District is a member of WateReuse, an association dedicated to advancing recycled water projects through policies and advocacy and changing public perception of reclaimed water.
Metropolitan’s Regional Recycled Water Program
Upper District is in support of Metropolitan Water District’s Regional Recycled Water Program called “Pure Water Southern California.” This facility located in Carson, CA when fully constructed will be able to produce up to 150 million gallons daily, enough to serve more than 500,000 homes throughout Southern California. This new and alternative water resource would allow Upper District to reduce its dependence on imported water supplied to replenish the groundwater basin. Read more about the program by clicking below.
Upper District’s Efforts in Recycled Water
November 1991 to April 2000 – Upper District invested in the Groundwater Recharge Project for 30,000 to 50,000 Acre-Feet/Year (AFY)
- Feasibility Study and Implementation Program was performed in 1991
- Upper District Obtained $25 million (M) of Title XVI for this project
May 2000 – Upper District Groundwater Recharge Project downsized to 10,000 AFY and the project name changed to Demonstration Groundwater Recharge Project.
September 2002 to 2020 – Upper District continues its reclamation efforts by developing recycled water projects for indirect potable reuse i.e. landscape irrigation in partnership with its water retailers, local school districts and organizations.
September 2002 – Rose Hills Recycled Water Program (Phase 1) was the first recycled water project completed for indirect potable reuse with local, State and Federal funding sources for approximately $3.5M and approximately 900 AFY.
March 2004 – Whittier Narrows Recycled Water Program (Phase IIA) was completed for indirect potable reuse with local, State and Federal funding sources for approximately $7.0M and approximately 1,000 AFY.
October 2006 – Whittier Narrows Recycled Water Program (Phase IIA) Expansion was completed for indirect potable reuse with local, State and Federal funding sources for approximately $2.5M and approximately 570 AFY.
June 2008 – City of Industry Recycled Water Program (Phase IIB) Expansion was completed for indirect potable reuse with local, State and Federal funding sources for approximately $16M and approximately 1,050 AFY.
March 2010 – Demonstration Groundwater Recharge Project reorganized and the Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program (GRIP) Joint Powers Authority is formed with Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County and Upper District.
March 2011 – Upper District exited GRIP Joint Powers Authority. Upper District Board directed staff to continue to develop Upper District’s groundwater recharge project now called Indirect Reuse Replenishment Project (IRRP).
December 2017 – Rose Hills Recycled Water Program (Phase 1) Expansion was completed for indirect potable reuse with local, State and Federal funding sources for approximately $1.5M and approximately 600 AFY.
December 2018 – South El Monte Recycled Water Project completed by San Gabriel Valley Water Company for indirect potable reuse (i.e. landscaping irrigation) with local and State funding sources for about $1.2M and approximately 75 AFY.
January 2020 – La Puente Valley County Water District Recycled Water Project breaks ground with local and State funding sources with the anticipated costs of approximately $900,000 and will supply approximately 55 AFY.