West Sacramento, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Design for current/future recycled water
- Citation
- WSMC § 13.04.1160
- Purple piping
- Can be required on public projects, ROW
- Classification
- Recycled-water landscapes are Special Landscape Areas
Summary
New and rehabilitated landscape irrigation systems in West Sacramento must be built to allow current or future recycled-water use, and public projects can be required to install purple piping.
The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water. All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws. For public projects, irrigated areas within the city rights-of-way and easements, and any other cases the city deems appropriate, the city may require the use of purple irrigation piping to signify recycled water usage, although recycled water may not be available at the time. In these cases, above-ground notifications regarding purple piping (such as purple valve boxes, tags, and signage) need not be installed until recycled water is actually run through the system. Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The ET adjustment factor (ETAF) for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0. (Ord. 11-11 § 2; Ord. 15-9 § 2)
Full Breakdown
West Sacramento Municipal Code § 13.04.1160 requires recycled-water irrigation systems to be designed and operated for both current and future recycled-water use, and to meet all applicable local and state law. On public projects, and in city rights-of-way and easements, the city can require purple irrigation piping to flag recycled-water lines even before recycled water actually reaches the site: above-ground markers like purple valve boxes and signage only have to go in once recycled water is actually running through the system. Landscapes irrigated with recycled water count as Special Landscape Areas under the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, which caps their water-efficiency adjustment factor at 1.0.
Violations & Fines
Public projects and city right-of-way work that skip the required purple-pipe signage for recycled-water lines can be held up in landscape documentation review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does West Sacramento require recycled water for landscaping?
What is purple piping for?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare West Sacramento to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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