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Irrigation System
The dual system includes separate irrigation and potable water systems that provide water for about 33,000 households and businesses. The irrigation system includes its own set of alluvial wells and completely separate infrastructure from the potable drinking water supply system. Each system includes separate pipelines, pump stations, and reservoirs used to deliver the different supplies. The dual system allows the District to maximize our water rights, to save costs in deferring for many years the construction of an additional treatment plant and not treating irrigation water to drinking water standards, and to benefit the environment by avoiding the use of additional electricity and transport of chemicals used in producing drinking water.
Because the water in the Separate Irrigation System is not meant for drinking, the water is not treated and it should not be consumed. The water will have higher concentrations of naturally occurring minerals and bacteria. It also will have man-made substances, including volatile organic compounds and PFAS, at levels which, although in the low parts per trillion range, are above levels set by the government for drinking water. This water is suitable for application on lawns and plants. The District has prepared an information sheet on PFAS and the Separate Irrigation System at https://www.sacwsd.org/249/PFAS-Information. The water in the Separate Irrigation System is not “recycled” or “reclaimed” water, i.e., water that is supplied into the system from a wastewater plant, nor is it “greywater” or untreated water from showers, clothes washers, and non-kitchen faucets.
Mandatory Irrigation Schedule
Irrigation shall not occur between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Residents are allowed 3 watering days a week. Watering days based on even/odd last number of street address.
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Even | City Utility Special Use Permit Only | Odd | Even | Odd | Even | Odd |
Using the System
It is important to understand that the entire separate irrigation system is a non-potable system, not for drinking. Customers served by the District's dual irrigation system will need to maintain their system's components including the Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) assembly installed on the irrigation system. A link to the Operation and Maintenance Manual showing the PVB assembly is provided here.Spring Start-up Instructions
The following video will provide general information and start up instructions for a sprinkler system connected to the Separate Irrigation System. The District begins charging the irrigation water transmission line the week of April 15th.
Follow the startup instructions below to turn your system on, and be sure to turn it off each winter.
Check for broken sprinkler heads and irrigation system pipes that are broken and causing puddling in the lawn. Turn your system off at the “stop and waste” valve until the leaks are repaired.
Adjust sprinklers for head-to-head coverage, and make sure they are spraying on landscaped areas, not streets or sidewalks.
Adjust your time clock to irrigate your lawn appropriately for each zone, please follow the mandatory watering schedule.
If you hire a professional to provide irrigation start-up and shut-down services, be sure they are knowledgeable about the separate irrigation system and familiar with the District’s Rules and Regulations.
Fall Shutdown Instructions
Winterizing your system is crucial to preventing damage from freezing during the winter months. Irrigation shut down is on or around October 15 of every year. Make sure to have your system winterized on or before this date.
The following video will provide instructions to shut down your sprinkler system connected to the Separate Irrigation System: