Recycled Water

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Welcome to the City of Mountain View's online resource for recycled water. Contact us at recycledwater@mountainview.gov or (650) 903-6329 with questions or comments.

Connecting to the System

How to Connect

Follow the links below for details on the connecting process, required forms, and applicable rules and guidelines. For questions and clarifications about a connection for your service address, call Mountain View's Recycled Water Program at (650) 903-6329.

Site Supervisors

Each recycled water use site must have a designated Site Supervisor. The Site Supervisor completes a training and ensures that recycled water use complies with the City's guidelines.

Rates

Recycled water customers enjoy lower water rates. Mountain View's Utility Billing page lists all rates for potable and recycled water.

Managing Your Connection

To maintain an established recycled water connection, on-site recycled water systems must be operated in accordance with the City's Customer Guidelines for Recycled Water Use. The customer's designated Site Supervisor must also regularly submit an Annual Self-Inspection Report. For customers using recycled water indoors, a cross-connection test must be performed at least once every four years, with visual inspections performed annually.

Customer Guidelines

Approved Uses

Recycled water customers must follow State and local requirements to protect public health.

Mountain View's Customer Guidelines for Recycled Water Use serve as the main resource for understanding and complying with these requirements.

Approved uses of recycled water are governed by the State of California. In Mountain View, recycled water is most commonly used for landscape irrigation, however some customers are beginning to investigate the use of recycled water for other purposes, such as toilet flushing and cooling towers. The quality of Mountain View's recycled water is approved by the State for many uses. Click the link below for a summary of approved uses.

Local Requirements and Guidelines

The City of Mountain View's Recycled Water Ordinance requires customers in the North Bayshore Area to use recycled water for landscape irrigation. The City's Customer Guidelines for Recycled Water Use outline the process for establishing and maintaining a recycled water service connection. This document serves as the main resource for understanding and complying with local and State recycled water regulations in Mountain View.

State and Regional Regulations

Several State regulations govern recycled water treatment, quality, and use in California. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No.93-160 sets standards of recycled water production, distribution, and quality for the Palo Alto treatment plant and its service area, which includes Mountain View. The City's Customer Guidelines help customers to comply with California's State Recycled Water Policy as well as regional laws concerning recycled water.

Federal Guidelines

Though recycled water is not regulated on a national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed Water Reuse Guidelines.

Feasibility Study

The City of Mountain View recently completed an update to the Recycled Water Feasibility Study that includes discussions of expansion of the City's recycled water system. The Recycled Water Feasibility Study Update will be presented to City Council for their review and approval on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:30 pm (or as soon as it can be heard). View details and information on attending this virtual City Council meeting. View the Council Report for the Recycled Water Feasibility Study Update.

Download the final draft of the 2022 Recycled Water Feasibility Study. Appendices may be obtained by contacting the Public Services Division at (650) 903-6329.

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