WASTEWATER NEWS & PROJECTS

News

Meet Pam Ouellette - WRRF Chief Plant Operator
Meet Pam Ouellette, one of the masterminds behind the success at the Water Resource Recovery Facility...

8/24/2017
Energy Efficiency Upgrades Continue to Pay Off at the City's Water Resource Recovery Facility
Since April, the City has received more than $220,000 in rebates as a result of its efforts to become more energy efficient and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

8/16/2017 2:40:54 PM
CWEA Hosts One Water Solutions Workshop
7/27/2017 2:55:00 PM

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SERVICES OFFERED

*Please select a service from the list below*

Wastewater	Phone
Emergency Sewer Overflow	(805) 781-7215
Sewer/Wastewater Odor Issue	(805) 781-7215

FAQs

What significant change have you seen in the creek and/or habitat?

Steelhead and Salmon are now making their way upstream of the Water Resource Recovery Facility outfall that is several miles from the ocean.
Are discharge requirements hard to meet?

At times meeting requirements can present a significant challenge. Since our advanced treatment systems are biological in nature, they are influenced by weather, diurnal changes, wastewater flow changes, waste-strength fluctuations, etc. Meeting our stringent discharge standards requires our facility to always operate at its optimum level.
What are the costs to operate the plant per year?

3.2 million dollars per year.
What are the sources of wastewater?

Wastewater is comprised of water from toilets, sinks, showers, manufacturing, laundromats, etc. Rainwater and runoff from the streets are collected in separate stormwater sewers and released to local waterways.
What part of the sewer system am I responsible for?

The homeowner is responsible for their sewer lateral from the house to the connection at the City main (usually located in the street).
Who do I call when I have a sewer problem?

Call the City Corporation Yard dispatchers at 781-7215 during normal operating hours (Monday-Friday 7am to 4:30pm). After-hours calls should be directed to Police Communications at 781-7312.
Where will recycled water be used?

A separate distribution system was constructed to deliver recycled water. It will be distributed to customers who have a large demand for water. Including, parks, schools, athletic fields, highway landscaping, and landscaping in commercial and multifamily residential areas.
Is recycled water safe?

The use of recycled water is regulated by the Water Resources Control Board, the same agency that regulates drinking water. The recycled water produced by the City of San Luis Obispo is suitable for irrigation of playgrounds and all food crops as well as many other uses. It is not approved for drinking, food preparation, or swimming. However, the incidental contact or consumption of this recycled water which might be anticipated with the approved uses is not harmful.
How is water recycled?
The City of San Luis Obispo Water Reclamation Facility produces a disinfected tertiary recycled water by removing the waste from wastewater that residents discharge to the sewer. This recycled water is suitable for irrigation and many other uses. The Water Reclamation Facility uses the biological and mechanical processes described below to produce this high quality recycled water.
- Primary treatment uses bar screens and settling basins to remove materials that settle or float.
- Secondary treatment uses bacteria and other microorganisms to remove carbonaceous wastes and to convert ammonia to nitrates. The Water Reclamation Facility uses trickling filters and activated sludge basins to raise these microorganisms and then uses clarifiers following each of these processes to remove the microorganisms from the water. Following secondary treatment 95-98 percent of the organic material and solids have been removed.
- Tertiary treatment cools, filters, and disinfects the water before it is provided for reuse and dechlorinates the water that is discharged to the creek.
For more information please visit the Water Resource Recovery Facility Page

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