Sonoma Valley Sanitation re-opens recycled water fill station

The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District has re-opened a residential recycled water fill-station in the wastewater treatment plant on Eighth Street East that will provide free recycled water for local residents for watering lawns, gardens and landscaped areas. The fill station was open last summer for the first time and closed for the winter.

Initially, the Sonoma Valley fill station will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fill station is located just north of the plant, which is located at 22675 Eighth St. E. Recycled water will be provided to all residents who live in the Sonoma Creek Watershed free of charge.

Residents must bring their own sealable containers, with a minimum volume of one gallon and a maximum of 300 gallons. Each resident may receive up to a total of 300 gallons per trip and each of the containers must be appropriately labeled.

The Sonoma Valley wastewater treatment plant produces tertiary treated recycled water that has been used by local agricultural customers for many years. Recycled water is treated to a very high standard and is permitted by the state of California for use on a variety of plants and agricultural crops, including vineyards, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.

Prior to receiving water, residents are asked to obtain a Residential Recycled Water Fill Station Use Application/Agreement online at www.sonomacountywater.org/SVCSD or pick one up at the fill station. The application/agreement should be completed and reviewed prior to their first visit.

Recycled water will be distributed on a drop-in basis. District staff will verify that the Residential Recycled Water Fill Station Use Application/Agreement form has been completed. Each participant will be given a brief training about the use of recycled water.

Recycled water should not be placed in a storage container that is connected to a landscape irrigation system or a drinking water supply. Recycled water is not suitable for drinking or food preparation.

For questions about the Residential Recycled Water Fill Station Program, you may contact Wendy Gjestland at 521-1866. For additional information about the Sonoma Valley Residential Recycled Water Fill Station, visit www.sonomacountywater.org/SVCSD.