An Analysis of Changing Constraints and Planning for Flexibility in a Water Reclamation Program Available to Purchase

The City of San Diego is planning to reclaim and beneficially reuse 86 million m³ of reclaimed water per year by 2010. The plan was developed through an analysis of the potential markets for reclaimed water, quality and quantity of reclaimable wastewater, disposal options for excess reclaimed water, and the cost of distribution. The program resulted in a plan to provide 450,000 m³/day of treatment capacity by 2010 in 7 water reclamation plants to be constructed in two or more phases. Flexibility was incorporated into the system by providing options for disposal of excess reclaimed water, plant expansion, shifts in market demand, and changes in regulations.