NMWD Water Supply: Planning for the Future

Today, water supply reservoirs that supply Novato are full to the brim.  Yet only two years ago, California and Marin County had experienced two years of drought, one of the driest springs in recorded history, and Russian River water diversions had been reduced two consecutive summers for fishery protection.

Through the years, has actively worked to maintain good quality, cost effective and reliable water supply for Novato.  NMWD has emphasized helping customers conserve water, improved the efficiency of our treatment plant at Stafford Lake, developed a recycled water system with Novato Sanitary District to supply StoneTree Golf Course, and continues to seek protection of Russian River water supplies.

Recently, NMWD has also worked with a number of other water and wastewater agencies in Marin, Napa and Sonoma Counties to expand the use of recycled water through the North Bay Water Recycling Program. This unique, regional recycled water program provides for federal funding of recycled water projects to irrigate large landscapes, so fresh drinking water can be saved for household uses. This local recycled water supply is sustainable and drought proof and will also decrease the need for future additional Russian River diversions.

The Marin County portion of this program proposes to provide recycled water from to large landscapes in Novato, including the and , school and park turf areas and, commercial users along the U.S.101 corridor. Recycled water from Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District is also proposed for landscape irrigation at the Hamilton Field area, including Meadow Park and the Coast Guard housing landscape areas.  In both instances NMWD will deliver the highly polished recycled water from the sanitary district’s to the end users.  Over $4 million in federal funds have been appropriated for the Novato Recycled Water Program and the districts will fund the remaining $20 million local share.

Recycled water is not used for drinking, and it is delivered using special purple pipes that are separate from potable water pipelines. Recycled water is a safe, proven resource that has been used for decades and its current use is growing rapidly. Recycled water is already used in Novato and the Terra Linda/Marinwood areas of Central Marin.  It is also used in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, the Town of Windsor, Calistoga, St Helena, Yountville, Napa, San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Daly City and other Bay Area communities.

Environmental studies for the North Bay Recycled Water Program are completed and detailed design for expansion of recycled water in Novato is underway. Construction of the pipeline extensions to deliver recycled water is expected to begin this summer. A public workshop is scheduled for March 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. at the District Headquarters, 999 Rush Creek Place, Novato, to discuss the Novato Recycled Water Program and recycled water use ordinance and receive comments from the public on implementation of this important water supply project. To learn more about this exciting new program, please visit the NMWD website at www.nmwd.com.

Recycled water saves fresh drinking water for potable uses and provides a reliable new supply to keep landscapes green. It protects the environment and gives us the ability to meet future urban water needs. This is a vital opportunity—let’s take it.