Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about the Eastside Road Storage Project and the Town of Windsor’s Recycled Water Program.
RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM QUESTIONS
- What is "reclaimed" or "recycled" water?
- Is recycled water safe?
- How long has recycled water been in use?
- Where is recycled water used in Windsor?
- What is the Town doing to make sure the recycled water is always safe?
- How is recycled water treated?
GEYSERS CONNECTION PROJECT QUESTIONS
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- Where will the Geysers Connection Project pipeline and pump station be located?
- How will the Geysers Connection Project affect current recycled water customers?
- What is the Geysers Recharge Project?
EASTSIDE ROAD STORAGE PROJECT QUESTIONS
RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM QUESTIONS
What is "reclaimed"
or "recycled" water?
Reclaimed water, also referred to as
recycled water, is municipal wastewater that has been cleaned and treated
in order to remove pollutants and contaminants so that the water can
be safely reused for a variety of uses. The California Department of
Health Services has established the treatment standards and regulations
regarding any reuse. Windsor treats its wastewater to tertiary recycled
water standards (also referred to as advanced water treatment) which
is the highest level of treatment defined by the State and allows for
unrestricted reuse in virtually all reclaimed water applications. Examples
of common recycled water reuse applications include: Any agricultural
irrigation (food crops, vineyards, sod farms, Christmas tree farms,
etc), ornamental plants, parks and playing fields, golf courses, cemeteries
and recreational waterways for boating and swimming, cooling tower water,
groundwater recharge and toilet flushing. Recycled water is an excellent
substitute for drinking water in many applications especially in areas
experiencing drinking water shortages due to droughts or limitations
on supply.
Is recycled water safe?
Yes. Recycled water must meet stringent regulatory requirements monitored
by the State
Department of Health Services and be treated to the
State of California Title 22 standards for tertiary (advanced) treatment
of water. It must also meet regional and local standards. Wastewater
is treated to these rigid standards to ensure that public health and
environmental quality are protected. The Town's recycled water is monitored
and tested daily to ensure that it consistently meets these high quality
standards.
How long has
recycled water been in use?
Recycled water systems have been
operating in California and throughout the nation since the early 1960’s.
As Sonoma County and California water supplies are stretched, using
recycled water for irrigation preserves drinking water supplies for
people and fresh water for creeks, rivers and wetlands. Systems are
continuously upgraded in response to treatment breakthroughs and research.
Windsor’s Advanced Treatment facility was built in 1991. The facility
has since been upgraded and expanded over the years to improve treatment,
storage and reuse.
Where is recycled
water used in Windsor?
Windsor currently provides recycled
water for the irrigation of agricultural lands, parks and recreational
facilities such as Windsor Golf Course, Windsor High School, the Town
Green and Wilson Ranch Soccer Park. Recycled water is also used to water
front and back yards in the Vintage Greens neighborhood. These applications
save millions of gallons of fresh water each year. The use of recycled
water will continue to expand both within and outside of the Town limits.
What is the Town doing to make sure the recycled water is always safe?
The recycled water quality is monitored by Town personnel daily to ensure
that rigid water quality standards are continually met. Additional monitoring
is done by local regulatory agencies. Water testing takes place throughout
the treatment process. Water quality testing results are reported to,
and monitored by, regulatory officials to ensure high quality standards
are met.
How is recycled water
treated?
Windsor has been operating its Advanced Water Treatment
(tertiary) facility since 1991. The facility has since been upgraded
twice in order to improve its processes and increase plant capacity.
The latest technology is used for odor control equipment and disinfection
throughout the facility.
GEYSERS CONNECTION PROJECT QUESTIONS
Why do we need the Geysers Connection Project?
During wet-weather months (October through May) when rainfall
contributes additional water to the system and irrigation is
unnecessary, the recycled water produced can exceed the Town’s
capacity to store and discharge it. Taking advantage of the
opportunity to tap into Santa Rosa's Geysers
Recharge Project provides the Town with another discharge
option and ensures continued compliance with its discharge permit.
Where will the Geysers Connection Project pipeline and pump
station be located?
The pump station will be located within the Water
Reclamation Plant site, away from existing homes and public areas,
and the pipeline will run from the pump station site to the existing
Geysers Pipeline at the intersection of Windsor Road and Reiman Lane
(adjacent to the plant).
How will the Geysers Connection Project affect current
recycled water customers?
The exact impact to a given customer's recycled water deliveries is
not known and may even be extended by a few years because of
variable factors. The Town will be meeting with its customers
in the coming months to work out an approach to maintain reliable
and equitable recycled water service.
What is
the Geysers Recharge Project?
In 1998, the City of Santa Rosa entered into a 30-year agreement
with a consortium of geothermal companies to supply highly treated
recycled water from the Laguna Treatment Plant for injection at the
Geysers. The Geysers Recharge Project
involved the construction of a 41-mile pipeline, four pump stations,
a terminal reservoir, and associated control/communication systems.
The pipeline route for the Geysers Recharge Project passes through
Windsor west of US Highway 101. In July 2008, the 1998 agreement was
amended, anticipating increased flows including Windsor’s for an
additional 30 years. Today, Santa Rosa pumps about 13 MGD of
recycled water to the Geysers where it is used to create enough
green energy for approximately 100,000 homes.
EASTSIDE ROAD STORAGE PROJECT QUESTIONS
What is the current status of the Eastside Road Storage
Project?
The project was certified in February 2001 by the Town Council.
However, because of the amount of recycled water going to the
Geysers Connection Project, additional storage is not currently
needed, though it may be revisited in the future.
How will the project
be funded?
The Eastside Road Storage project is anticipated
to be funded from a combination of potential sources including the following:
- Wastewater utility rates and connection fees
- Bond financing
- Grants
Additionally, if the Town decides to partner with other agencies for the project, then contributions from other participating agencies would be another source of funding.