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Resource Recovery, Water Reclamation and Reuse

Through the years, the Sanitation Districts have led advancements in resource recovery, water reclamation and reuse in the wastewater treatment process. Materials that would otherwise be considered waste – biogas (methane), biosolids (the residuals of wastewater treatment) and reclaimed water – are treated and converted into resources that are used extensively by the Sanitation Districts and their local municipal partners.

Recycled Water
Highly treated water produced at the Sanitation Districts’ Water Reclamation Plants is used for groundwater recharge, industrial uses and irrigation of golf courses, parks, schools, etc. (See list below.)

The Sanitation Districts have aggressively marketed recycled water for over 40 years. Even though the Sanitation Districts are considered a world leader in reusing water, only 40% of the reclaimed water from the upstream Water Reclamation Plants in the Joint Outfall System is reused. The remaining reclaimed water is put into rivers and flows to the ocean. The challenge the Sanitation Districts face today is to find ways to reuse the remaining 60%.

Water Recycling
Over 500 sites throughout the County of Los Angeles contract for the use of the Sanitation Districts’ high quality recycled water.

The California Department of Health Services has approved the following uses of recycled water:

  • Landscape and agricultural irrigation.
  • Water supplies for livestock.
  • Recreational uses (i.e., lakes).
  • Replenishing underground water supplies.
  • Industrial reuse.
  • Toilet flushing.
  • Make-up water for cooling towers.
  • Various construction uses.

Energy (Biogas)

  • Biogas (methane and carbon dioxide gases produced by the anaerobic decomposition of the organic matter removed from wastewater) provides 100% of the JWPCP's energy needs.
  • Surplus electricity is sold to the local power company.
  • Biogas is used to heat the plant’s digesters and produce steam for in-plant use.
  • Biogas also fuels power generation at the Palmdale, Lancaster and Valencia Water Reclamation Plants.

Biosolids

  • Biosolids (the treated and stablized solid materials removed from wastewater) are composted, bagged and sold for use as soil amendments.
  • Biosolids are used on agricultural fields to condition the soil.
  • Biosolids are used in cement kilns to reduce air emissions.

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The Sanitation Districts' reclaimed water.


Purple pipes are used to distribute reclaimed water to reuse sites .


The Sanitation Districts supply high quality reclaimed water to over 500 reuse sites in the county.


Biogas fuels generators that produce more than enough electricity to run the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant. Excess energy is sold to the local power company.
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County