Private Onsite Recycled Water Projects and Approval Steps

Santa Clara City Codes

Chapter 13.15 Water, Article IV. Regulation of Recycled Water Service and Use

13.15.150 Recycled water regulations

• The requirements contained in the City’s recycled water regulations are hereby adopted and incorporated by this reference and made a part of the City’s rules and regulations for water service and use. (Ord. 1705 § 2, 10-21-97. Formerly § 31-15)

13.15.160 Purpose and intent of regulation of recycled water service and use.

• It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to prohibit the use of potable water for landscape irrigation where recycled water is made available and meets all applicable standards.
• It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to require the use of recycled water for all other non-potable uses where recycled water is made available, meets all applicable standards for those uses and is determined to be suitable and economically feasible. (Ord. 1705 § 2, 10-21-97. Formerly § 31-16).

Definitions

• DDW – State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water
• Modifications – changes to existing permitted recycled water sites
• New systems – new construction
• Retrofits – conversions of existing water systems to recycled water
• SBWR – South Bay Water Recycling

Approved Recycled Water Uses

Industrial uses include dual plumbing, cooling systems, water for flushing toilets and urinals or floor drain trap primers. Retrofits of dual plumb toilet and urinal use are generally not allowed by DDW or SBWR unless the entire system can be inspected. 

Industrial

• Irrigation system also needed if industrial use is proposed (intended to protect the domestic plumbing)
• Industrial uses require designs to include a domestic water back up supply through an air-gap plumbed to a storage tank or equivalent system
• Operations plan required for industrial cooling systems.
• Engineering Reports are required for all industrial projects

Irrigation

• Ground floor use only at residential sites.
• Operations plan required for sites proposing quick couplers.
• Design must show how overspray will not impact cooking/eating areas and playgrounds or runoff to storm drain system and domestic plumbing.

Agriculture

• Operations plan and user training required

Applications

Submit completed SBWR Recycled Water Use Permit Application (under Plan Review Tools on SBWR's Retail Customer Information webpage) for review and questions to Compliance Division of Water and Sewer Utilities at watercompliance@santaclaraca.gov.

• Each proposed recycled water meter requires its own SBWR Application.
• SBWR Project IDs will be assigned by the Compliance Division and SBWR.
• Each new meter service requires review by Engineering Division through the encroachment permit process.

Designs

All on-site recycled water plans shall be reviewed, approved, and signed by the City of Santa Clara, SBWR, and DDW. All three entities must individually review and approve a plan set for Final Approval.

On-site designs shall meet SBWR Plan Review Checklist and SBWR Rules and Regulations, under Plan Review Tools on SBWR's Retail Customer Information webpage. SBWR updates the Plan Review Checklist occasionally. Refer their website to ensure the design reflects the active version.

Onsite Installation

Construction and installation of recycled water system equipment should not begin until the Compliance Division of Water and Sewer Utilities has approved the on-site recycled water design. Note: on-site designs are generally not the same as the Building Permit plans. On-site recycled water plans require SBWR and California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water signatures for final approval.

Inspections

Required at all on-site recycled water systems being installed prior to backfilling trenches or cover in walls and ceilings. Request a recycled water inspection by email watercompliance@santaclaraca.gov or call 408-615-2002. Provide the site location, SBWR project ID, and date and time preferences. These inspections are in addition to the Building Permit inspections.

Inspections will verify all are built per design plan:

• separations between all potable/fire lines and recycled water lines
• pipe type and depths
• equipment types
• warning lids
• tags and signs 

Recycled Water Meter Installation

Recycled water meter is installed and connected after the project has completed all Project Activities items, final inspections, and successful completion of a cross-connection test, performed by a certified cross-connection specialist in coordination with the City inspector

Site Responsibilities/Certified Site Supervisors

Each site must have a Certified Site Supervisor. Site supervisors become certified by attending a training workshop. Certified Site Supervisors:

• Know recycled water and how it is manufactured
• Are the contact person at your site
• Know the practices and procedures of using recycled water
• Are responsible for the safe and efficient use of recycled water
• Provide training to operations personnel
• Maintain drawings of your site
• Communicate all recycled water rules and regulations to operations personnel
• Inform your retail water agency of all reportable events or incidents

SBWR Customer Website

For more information or to view their bi-monthly water quality reports, visit the SWBR's Retail Customer Information webpage.