The Palo Alto Recycled Water Project (Project) is Phase 3 of the City of Palo Alto Water Reuse Program. Phase 1 has been in operation since 1980 and serves the Palo Alto Golf Course, Emily Renzel March, Greer Park, and the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). Phase 2, the Mountain View Recycled Water project, is scheduled to be constructed beginning in the fall of 2007. Phase 2 will connect to Phase 3 at Matadero Creek and/or Adobe Creek.
The Project would initially serve approximately 800 acre-feet per year of recycled water, mostly in the Stanford Research Park Area. Future extensions could serve Stanford University and Los Altos Hills, as well as provide a loop connecting the Phase 2 Mountain View Project. The Project would provide recycled water primarily for landscape irrigation; however industrial use, such as commercial and light industrial will also be considered. The project would involve the construction of approximately 6 miles of 12 to 18-inch pipes, a booster station, and laterals pipelines carrying recycled water to over fifty use sites. The Project could be online by 2011.
The Project would provide customers with reliable, locally controlled supply to protect landscape value, as irrigation and other non-potable uses are the first to be cut back during drought. The Project would also reduce the level of potable water rationing during drought, since non-potable water uses can continue to be supplies with recycled water.
