About EMWD's Recycled Water

History of EMWD Recyled Water
EMWD's Current Recycled Water Services & System
Recycled Water Uses
Recycled Water Site Supervisor Training
Tours of EMWD’s Reclamation Facilities
More Information

History of EMWD Recycled Water

EMWD has been treating wastewater (sewer) within its service area since the 1960’s. Originally, treated effluent was disposed of through on-site percolation/evaporation ponds. By 1966, as flows increased, the District began marketing recycled water within its service area, delivering recycled water to local farmers for the irrigation of feed and fodder crops and began extending transmission facilities to deliver this recycled water to these new customers.

In 1991, EMWD applied for and received funding through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to develop a recycled water backbone transmission system, which greatly expanded the District's ability to deliver recycled water to a growing customer base. Subsequent facility improvements in the recycled water system are now in place linking all of the District's regional water reclamation facilities. System pressurization projects have also been implemented to provide the level of service required for municipal and industrial customers throughout the majority of the recycled water system. System pumping facilities and elevated storage has also improved reliability of the recycled system.

Current Recycled Water Services and System

EMWD’s Recycled Water System currently receives 45 – 50 millions gallons a day of treated wastewater from its four regional treatment plants. This treated water is distributed through out the Recycled Water Distribution System.

Today, EMWD serves…

More than 200+ active accounts
Sales of more than 26,000 AF
Hemet/San Jacinto Constructed Wetlands – a joint program with the US Bureau of Reclamation, EMWD's multipurpose, constructed wetlands in San Jacinto has evolved as a world-renowned wastewater treatment research center, while creating beneficial wildlife habitat.

Recycled water plays an important role in achieving our goal of developing a drought-proof and sustainable water supply for our customers. EMWD has the ability to store more than 2 billion gallons of recycled water. That’s equal to three to four months’ worth of supply.

Uses of Recycled Water

Recycled water is in great demand. More than half of EMWD's production is sold to agricultural, irrigation, landscaping and industrial customers. EMWD serves several schools, parks, cities and county streetscaping, HOA landscape areas, golf courses, wetlands habitat areas and industrial use for cooling towers.

Among the crops that can use tertiary water are potatoes, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, sugar beets, grain crops, citrus, avocado, grapes, sod farms, fiber, fodder, seed crops and ornamental nursery stock.

Recycled Water Site Supervisor Training

Education of our recycled water customers is a very important part of EMWD’s Recycled Water Program and is required by the California Department of Health Services. We currently offer a 4 hour class course with certification. This class is taught by a Consultant and usually occurs quarterly. Flyers are mailed and or faxed to existing and new customers notifying them of the class location and time.

Tours of EMWD’s Reclamation Facilities

As the recycled water program develops, the main objectives are to: