What is recycled water?

Recycled water is wastewater that has been purified through a series of treatment processes. Recycled water can provide a sustainable supply of water for agricultural and many other uses. Most treatment systems utilize three treatment processes in the production of recycled water:

  1. Primary treatment, which removes all debris and inorganic material from the water
  2. Secondary treatment, which is a biological treatment process where microorganisms consume all organic material
  3. Tertiary treatment, which polishes the water through filtration and disinfects the water through the use of chlorine or ultraviolet light

According to the California Water Recycling Criteria, tertiary-treated recycled water is safe for all human contact except drinking. In the Napa area, recycled water is produced by NapaSan at the Soscol Water Recycling Facility, located along the Napa River just south of the Highway 29 bridge. After entering the plant, wastewater from homes and businesses undergoes the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process. Throughout the process, samples are taken and tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory to ensure high-quality water.

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1. What is recycled water?
2. How can recycled water be used?
3. What should I do if my sewer is backed up?
4. What are NapaSan’s responsibilities?
5. I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?