Recycled Water

What is Recycled water and where is it Provided?

The South Bay Water Recycling Program (SBWRP) is an on-going, multi-year effort to use high quality recycled water from the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) for irrigation, industrial, and other purposes. Phase 1 consists of approximately 60 miles of distribution pipeline to serve 240 customers in Milpitas, San Jose, and Santa Clara. Construction on the Milpitas Pipeline segment began in winter of 1997 and provides recycled water to business/retail areas surrounding McCarthy Ranch and Oak Creek Industrial Park. About 12 miles of pipeline are completed in Milpitas. Design of the portions of Phase 2 are underway to expand the system some 9 miles into central Milpitas.

Recycling will reduce low salinity water discharges into the bay, which has shown to alter endangered species' habitats. The entire community will benefit since recycled water will help conserve our drinking water. In 1999 Milpitas saved almost 130 million gallons by replacing potable water use by recycled water.

For additional information on this project, call South Bay Water Recycling at (408) 277-3671 or visit their web site at www.sanjoseca.gov/sbwr.

Additional Links:

Recycled Water Design Guidelines

Recycled Water Service Area Map

Engineering Department Hours:
455 East Calaveras Boulevard Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Contact: Howard Salamanca  
Phone: (408) 586-3348  

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