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1. Why is CVWD using recycled water?

As customers move into the CVWD service area, the district looks for alternative water supplies to enhance our existing supplies. CVWD currently gets its water from local surface waters, groundwater, and imported water. Using recycled water to meet landscape and industrial demands enables CVWD to keep the potable drinking water for human consumption needs.

2. Do we need recycled water even during years with heavy rain?

Yes, weather patterns fluctuate and future droughts are always possible. We can not depend on rain to provide all the water we need. Recycled water is a supplemental supply to the district's existing potable (drinking) water. Recycled water is available year-round, even in years when we have very little rain, making it quite reliable for our region, for nondrinking purposes, such as on landscaping and for industrial needs.

3. What is recycled water and where does it come from?

The water that flows from your home or business through sinks, toilets, and other drains travels to a wastewater treatment plant and is treated and purified so that it can be used again for outdoor irrigation or industrial purposes. Although it looks like drinking water, it will not be used for human consumption.

4. Are they going to use recycled water on front yards?

No, recycled water is used on front and back yards in other communities, but it will not be used this way in any of the communities we serve.

5. What happens if someone accidentally drinks recycled water?

Nothing; studies have shown no adverse effects from drinking recycled water. However, it is not recommended for drinking over a long period of time.

6. Can my kids get sick from playing on grass irrigated with recycled water? What about my dog?

No, recycled water is similar to drinking water and is cleaner and safer than the water found in most rivers, lakes, and beaches. As an additional precaution, parks, playgrounds, and other facilities will be irrigated at night when people are not using public facilities.

7. Will recycled water increase my rates?

No, recycled water customers (such as a golf courses) will pay for using recycled water and it will not affect ratepayers.

8. How much is this recycled water program going to cost?

The district is constructing a series of pipelines and pumps to connect recycled water from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency wastewater treatment plant. These costs will be amortized over the projected life of the infrastructure. The cost of recycled water is significantly lower than purchasing imported potable (drinking) water.

9. How will the district keep recycled water separate from the drinking water system? Is it guaranteed that the two will not mix?

Recycled water goes through a separate pipeline system to the customers. It is completely separate from the drinking water pipeline system. Periodic cross-connection tests ensure that the recycled water pipelines are not accidentally connected to the drinking water system. In addition, there is ongoing monitoring and testing of the recycled water and drinking water systems to protect the public's health.

10. How will I know where recycled water is being used?

You will see signs that say recycled water is in use. Also, you might see purple meters, pipelines, or sprinkler heads – purple is always used to distinguish where recycled water is used.

11. Where will recycled water be used?

Recycled water will be used primarily for landscape irrigation on golf courses, parks, greenbelts, and other landscaped areas. It can also be used for industrial processing such as cooling towers.

12. Who monitors and regulates recycled water?

The District will monitor the use by recycled water customers. The Department of Health Services also applies strict monitoring requirements on recycled water customers and the water district. The Regional Water Quality Control Board also regulates and monitors the use of recycled water.

13. How do you know if the water is being treated safely?

Recycled water produced at the treatment facility is tested daily. There are other state and federal monitoring reports and requirements the district must abide by to ensure its safe use.

14. Is recycled water safe?

Yes, recycled water is both filtered and disinfected so that it is free of bacteria and other pathogens. It is also closely monitored by the district as well as by State of California oversight agencies to ensure that the treatment is consistently safe. Recycled water will only be used for nondrinking purposes in our community.

15. Does this mean that the city can continue to build thousands of homes?

The water district’s core responsibility is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to meet the demands of growth. We have worked closely with all the communities that we serve in order to anticipate what their growth needs will be and plan accordingly.