Recycled Water Projects
Valley Water has been using recycled water since the 1970s. For the last five decades, Valley Water has been partnering with cities and regional partners to make water reuse a possibility.
Timeline
In 1975 Valley Water partnered with the city of Palo Alto to build an advanced wastewater recycled water pilot plant. The goal was to inject the recycled water into the groundwater aquifer and study changes in the water quality as it moved through the aquifer. This effort helped prevent further saltwater intrusion in groundwater aquifers. The facility was completed in 1977.
In 1977 Valley Water helped build a second wastewater reclamation plant in South County in partnership with the Gavilan Water District and city of Gilroy. The recycled water from this facility was used for irrigation and agriculture.
1991 Valley Water teamed up with the city of San José to study potable and nonpotable uses of recycled water.
In 1996 the regional South Bay Water Recycling Program was born, with the construction of the purple-colored recycled water pipeline system. The program is a partnership between the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas and Valley Water. By 1999, nearly 60 miles of pipeline are in place to carry recycled water throughout the region.
In 1997 Valley Water offers rebates to Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose for use of recycled water.
In 1999 Valley Water completes the South County Recycled Water Master Plan with the South County Regional Wastewater Authority, agreeing to expand use of recycled water up to 5,000 acre-feet a year by 2020.
In 2014 Valley Water and partners celebrate the grand opening of the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center in San José.
In 2017 Valley Water completes the 2.5-mile Wolfe Road Recycled Water Pipeline Project that expands recycled water opportunities in Sunnyvale and Cupertino.