Otay Water District is firmly committed to increase the use of recycled water in its service area in order to minimize overall demand for potable water. The District currently has one of the largest recycled water distribution systems in San Diego County.
It also operates the Ralph W. Chapman Water Recycling Facility in Rancho San Diego, which produces up to 1.1 million gallons per day (MGD) of recycled water.
In addition, in the fall of 2003, the District signed an agreement with the city of San Diego for the right to purchase up to 6 MGD of recycled water from the city’s South Bay Water Reclamation Plant located in San Ysidro, California. It also acquired the right to purchase supply from the SBWRP that exceeds 6 MGD, if the plant has available supply.
To transport the water, Otay Water District built a six-mile transmission main and related facilities from near the Old Dairy Mart Road in San Ysidro to its existing recycled water transmission system serving east Chula Vista. In 2006, the District completed construction of the transmission system facilities and began taking delivery of the recycled water produced at the SBWRP.
Recycled water sales make up 11 to 15 percent of the District’s total water supply. As referenced in Section 26.04 of the District’s Code of Ordinances, recycled water uses may include but are not limited to the irrigation of greenbelt and agricultural areas, filling of artificial lakes, and appropriate industrial and commercial uses.
