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.
Valley Water (SCVWD) partners with the City of San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, and South Bay Water Recycling (SBWR) to produce and distribute recycled water across Santa Clara County. The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC) in Alviso treats tertiary effluent to advanced purified standards, while SBWR delivers tertiary recycled water through purple-pipe distribution mains color-coded under California Code of Regulations Title 22 to prevent cross-connection with potable water. Santa Clara County requirements and partner-city ordinances mandate dual-plumbing in new commercial and industrial buildings within designated recycled-water service areas, plus backflow prevention, signage, and operator training. Recycled water serves landscape irrigation, golf, and industrial process water.
Cross-connecting recycled water to potable systems is a serious public-health violation: immediate shutoff, mandatory inspection, fines up to $1,000 per day, and possible misdemeanor charges under California Health and Safety Code.
See how Santa Clara's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.