California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2020-21 

PLAN AND ASSESS: WASTEWATER RECYCLING

MEASUREMENTS 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: 2019 Municipal Wastewater Recycling Survey Results. For 2019 survey: Period January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
• Unit of Measure: Amount of Water Recycled in Acre-Feet/year.
• References:
  • The Water Boards’ Water Recycling programs
  • Water Recycling Funding Program
  • Public Reports and Data

GLOSSARY

Recycled Water

Recycled water means water which, as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is therefore considered a valuable resource. (Water Code § 13050(n)).

Acre-foot

It is defined by the volume of one acre of surface area to a depth of one foot. Since the acre is defined as a chain by a furlong (66 ft × 660 ft) the acre-foot is exactly 43,560 cubic feet. One acre-foot is taken to be the planned water usage of a suburban family household, annually.

Indirect Potable Reuse

The planned incorporation of recycled water into a raw water supply such as in potable water storage reservoirs or a groundwater aquifer, resulting in mixing and assimilation, thus providing an environmental buffer.