Recycled Water

The District is often asked how Vallejo citizens can conserve water by using graywater or recycled water. Graywater and recycled water are different, and are subject to different regulations.

Graywater

Graywater is untreated wastewater generated from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines. It does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers. By definition, graywater has not been contaminated by a toilet discharge, has not been affected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy body wastes, and does not represent a threat from contamination by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. Graywater is not treated, and is therefore not allowed to enter a storm drain. If a local resident or business uses graywater on their landscaping, the water cannot leave their property, either to a neighboring property or the street or storm drain. This would be a violation of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulations concerning graywater can be found online. The California Plumbing Code regulates graywater use. Please ensure that you are looking at the most current version. If you are considering installing a graywater system, please make sure it is in permit compliance with the California Plumbing Code and Solano County's Public and Environmental Health ordinances.

Recycled Water

There are currently three types of recycled water listed under Title 17 and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

Disinfected Secondary: 2.2 Recycled Water

Wastewater that has been treated at secondary wastewater treatment facility, that has been oxidized and disinfected to reduce the median level of total coliform bacteria below a most probable number (MPN) of 2.2 per 100 milliliters. This water can be used for the surface irrigation of crops where the edible portion is produced above the ground and not contacted by the recycled water.

Disinfected Secondary: 23 Recycled Water

Wastewater that has been treated at secondary wastewater treatment facility, that has been oxidized and disinfected to reduce the median level of total coliform bacteria below a most probable number (MPN) of 23 per 100 milliliters. This water can be used for irrigation of non-crop vegetation such as cemeteries, restricted access golf courses, and freeway right-of-way. It must be used at times and places where public access is limited.

Disinfected Tertiary Recycled Water

Wastewater that has been treated using a tertiary process to remove 99.999% of the plaque forming units of F-specific bacteriophage MS2, or polio virus, in the wastewater. This is also wastewater that has been oxidized and disinfected to reduce the median level of total coliform bacteria below a most probable number (MPN) of 2.2 per 100 milliliters, and the number of total coliform bacteria does not exceed an MPN of 23 per 100 milliliters in more than one sample in any 30 day period. The use of disinfected tertiary recycled water is almost unrestricted but must meet standards for turbidity. Otherwise, this water may be used for food crop production and unrestricted irrigation of parks, schools, residential landscaping and unrestricted golf courses.

Level of District Treatment

Wastewater produced by the District is secondary treated wastewater with a coliform count of about 1000 MPN per 100 milliliter, which is greater than the restricted use groups. Modifications to the sewer plant and distribution pipes to create recycled water were estimated at more than $104 million in the 2018 Reclaimed Water Study with annual upkeep estimated at more than $5 million.

The District is unable to distribute recycled water to Vallejo citizens at this time because we are unable to meet the standards for unrestricted use. The Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District cannot distribute this to citizens as there is no way to control how the water is used and who or what would be exposed to it; this water is to be used for irrigation only but it could be easily misused for drinking purposes if proper handling could not be insured.

Water Study

In 2018, the District contacted with HydroScience to provide a Recycled Water Facilities Plan (PDF).