Recycled Water Rules: Palo Alto vs San Jose
How do recycled water rules rules compare between Palo Alto, CA and San Jose, CA?
Palo Alto and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Valley Water and partner retailers operate recycled water programs distributing tertiary-treated water through purple-pipe systems for irrigation and industrial use. South Bay Water Recycling and the SVAWPC supply Santa Clara County under California Code Title 22 standards.
View full Palo Alto rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Valley Water and partner retailers operate recycled water programs distributing tertiary-treated water through purple-pipe systems for irrigation and industrial use. South Bay Water Recycling and the SVAWPC supply Santa Clara County under California Code Title 22 standards.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Palo Alto | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale agency | Valley Water (SCVWD) | Valley Water (SCVWD) |
| Treatment level | Tertiary or advanced purified | Tertiary or advanced purified |
| Pipe color | Purple under CCR Title 22 | Purple under CCR Title 22 |
| Major distributor | South Bay Water Recycling | South Bay Water Recycling |
| Advanced facility | SVAWPC in Alviso | SVAWPC in Alviso |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Palo Alto FAQ
Can I use recycled water at my home?
Single-family residential use is rare. Recycled water mostly serves large landscape, golf, and industrial customers within designated service areas. Valley Water operates residential bulk fill stations during droughts for landscape buckets.
Why are some new buildings dual-plumbed?
Local ordinances and SCC requirements require commercial and industrial buildings within recycled-water service areas to install separate purple-pipe distribution for toilets and irrigation, even before service is connected, to enable future switchover.
San Jose FAQ
Can I use recycled water at my home?
Single-family residential use is rare. Recycled water mostly serves large landscape, golf, and industrial customers within designated service areas. Valley Water operates residential bulk fill stations during droughts for landscape buckets.
Why are some new buildings dual-plumbed?
Local ordinances and SCC requirements require commercial and industrial buildings within recycled-water service areas to install separate purple-pipe distribution for toilets and irrigation, even before service is connected, to enable future switchover.
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