California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
A partnership between Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) and Leucadia Wastewater District (LWD) has been announced to reduce potable water use by switching to recycled water to flush sewer lines in their service areas.
Both agencies have installed the equipment necessary to use recycled water instead of potable drinking water for sewer line maintenance in the Village Park neighborhood in Encinitas and in the La Costa neighborhood in Carlsbad.
Regular flushing is important for gravity-fed sewer line maintenance. Flushing the pipe helps remove materials such as grease and roots, thereby extending the useable life of the sewer line.
In addition to sewer line flushing, municipal street sweeping vehicles will also be using recycled water.
Prior to this project, LWD did not have access to recycled water in OMWD’s service area, instead filling trucks with potable water. LWD approached OMWD about filling their trucks with recycled water, thus reducing potable water use and saving ratepayers money.
Approximately 14% of OMWD’s overall water demand is met with recycled water. OMWD produces up to two million gallons per day of recycled water at its 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility and supplements additional demand with recycled water purchased from Rancho Santa Fe Community Services District, City of San Diego, Vallecitos Water District, and San Elijo Joint Powers Authority.
