Recycled Water
Town of Windsor Recycled Water Program
Located in the north San Francisco Bay Area, the Town of Windsor is a recognized leader among communities nationwide in the use of recycled water for agricultural and urban irrigation.
The Town of Windsor is already a leader among communities nationwide in the use of recycled water for the irrigation of agricultural lands, recreational facilities, schools and residential front and back yards, which saves millions of gallons a year of precious fresh water for drinking and other human uses. For a map of current sites which are using recycled water follow this link: Map of recycled water users
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. This level of treatment allows for unrestricted reuse in virtually all reclaimed water applications. The Town’s recycled water is monitored and tested daily to ensure that it consistently meets these high quality standards.
In addition to the Town Green, Wilson Ranch Soccer Park and the Windsor Golf Course, here are some other places where recycled water irrigation is being used successfully:
Vintage Greens- Irrigating Front and Back Yards with Recycled Water
The single-family homes in Windsor’s Vintage Greens subdivision are some of the first in Northern California to use recycled water to irrigate their front and back yards. The Vintage Greens housing community is sustainable, using the same amount of recycled water that each home contributes to the system. Recycled Water Application
Recycled Water Use at
The use of recycled water along with other “green” practices helped the school and town share in the state's highest environmental honor for 2006, one of only 14 given out by then governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Town's government and school district were singled out in the "sustainable community" category for pooling financial resources to help the environment and educate students to be good stewards of the environment.
Irrigating Crops on Agricultural Properties around Windsor including Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm
The Town of Windsor’s recycled water is used to irrigate vineyards and pasture land around the Town. The Town also provides recycled water to Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm, which is located on the eastern outskirts of Windsor. The farm is a 365-acre diversified college facility that is a hands-on, outdoor field laboratory and learning environment. Shone Farm will also be the site of a joint storage project between the SRJC and the Town of Windsor storing approximately 40 MG of recycled water.
For more information on Windsor’s recycled water quality, please visit Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation System Facilities and see the Town’s Water Quality Comparison Report.
Recycled Water
Windsor High School uses recycled water View the latest information on Windsor's water recycling projects
In May 2013, the Town of Windsor completed a Study to determine the most cost effective additions to the recycled water system. To review this report click the link:
Urban Recycled Water Facilities Planning Study Final May 2013
Useful Reference Links
Below are useful links for learning more about the benefits and many uses of recycled water in our community and others.
WateReuse Association (WateReuse)
Agricultural Irrigation Using Recycled Water
Recycled Water Saves California Farms
Urban Water Reuse
Marin Municipal Water District
Santa Rosa's Incremental Recycled Water Program
There is No New Water - by Frances Spivy-Weber
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Conservation
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
California Urban Water Conservation Council
California Water Service Group
The City of Santa Rosa Water Conservation Website
WaterInfo.org
Water Science for Schools
Water Wiser
- What is "reclaimed" or "recycled" water?
- Is recycled water safe?
- How long has recycled water been in use?
- What is the Town doing to make sure the recycled water is always safe?
- How is recycled water treated?
- Can my children run through the sprinklers in lawn that is watered with recycled water?
- Can recycled water be used in swimming pools and spas?
- What happens if we drink it, or my dog does?
- Does the Town have plans to expand the use of Recycled Water?
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