Reusing Resources
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Our Mission
The District is dedicated to providing recycled water, wastewater treatment and hydroelectricity in the most cost-effective, environmentally responsive and service-oriented manner.
Recycled water is not a new idea! Incredibly, it has been in use in California since 1929. The City of Pomona was the first to provide treated wastewater from its municipal sewage treatment facility for landscape irrigation. By 1932, a treatment plant built solely for recycling and reuse was constructed in San Francisco .
Today, recycled water is being used for landscape and commercial purposes, agriculture irrigation, industrial use, and even in office high rises for flushing. With recycled water becoming the only growing water supply in the state, it is no wonder that there are approximately 250 water recycling systems currently operating in the state of California, with an additional 165 new projects in the works.
Olivenhain's System
The recycled water produced by OMWD is highly treated and can be used for non-domestic purposes. The District has adopted "Best Management Practices" to insure that this water is used in a safe and responsible manner. First, it is mandated that irrigation with recycled water must be done during the late evening and early morning hours, when public contact is at a minimum. Second, District staff actively oversees the responsible use of the recycled water by the end user.
In August 2003, the District received approval from the County Department of Environmental Health, the State Department of Health Services and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to begin selling recycled water to some of our irrigation customers. Within the 4S Ranch community, the District provides over 1.5 million gallons of recycled water per day to irrigation customers for use on HOA common areas, schools, parks and street scapes. As development continues throughout this area, the District projects recycled water demands to top 2 million gallons per day during the warm weather season.
The District's 4S Ranch Water Recycling Facility consists of a wastewater treatment plant, the Thelma Miller 1 million gallon storage reservoir and over 50,000 feet of pipeline. In August 2005, the District began delivering recycled water to a larger service area and recently expanded that system to include the Crosby Golf Course. In spring 2007 the District anticipates serving recycled water to the Del Mar Country Club and the Morgan Run Country Club.
The District is excited about the opportunity to provide recycled water to customers within its Northwest Quadrant service area. This area includes portions of Encinitas, La Costa and Carlsbad. Through an agreement with the Vallecitos Water District, the District will be able to convert approximately 110 irrigation services from potable water to recycled water, initially conserving approximately 600,000 gallons per day of potable water demand. Ultimately, the District anticipates serving up to 1 million gallons per day of recycled water in this area.
By using recycled water for these irrigation purposes, the District's customers are conserving millions of gallons of fresh, drinking water every day! If you have any questions or concerns about the District's recycled water efforts, please contact Tom Kennedy, at (760) 753-6466.
Informational Brochure (printable 2-sided flyer)
Rules and Regulations for Using Recycled Water
Best Management Practices
Inspection and Monitoring Program
District Mandatory Recycled Water Use Ordinance
Recycled Water Forms
Contact Info:
Tom Kennedy
Operations Manager
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
1966 Olivenhain Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: (760) 632-4647
e-mail: Tom Kennedy
Physical Address:
16595 Dove Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (858) 451-7837
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A Public Agency Providing:
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