Brentwood Announces Grand Opening of New Recycled Water Fill Station

BRENTWOOD, CA – City of Brentwood officials announced Tuesday that their latest weapon in the battle against California’s persistent drought – a Recycled Water Fill Station – would soon be open to the public.

Service will begin on Friday, June 19, 2015, and the City invites the public to join them in marking the occasion with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

The new Fill Station will provide recycled water, free to Brentwood utility customers during the drought. Utility customers wishing to utilize the recycled water may bring their own containers to the Fill Station, receive training, then fill and haul the water away themselves.

Recycled Water Fill Stations are part of a growing trend aimed at helping to dramatically reduce water use during the drought to reach compliance with new state mandates.

Brentwood residents need to reduce water use by 35% compared to what they used in 2013, or stay below the 2013 Citywide average, in order to avoid paying penalties. Residents that conserve more than 35% are eligible for rebates on their utility bill.

Brentwood Mayor Robert Taylor will be on hand for the ribbon cutting on Friday. Taylor notes that providing recycled water for free is one new way the City is trying to help the Brentwood community deal with the drought.

“Brentwood has prided itself on being a “green” city for years,” said Taylor, “but the fact is, we are essentially an oasis in a sea of dryness. We like our parks to look green, but the water is just not there to maintain that kind of look during the drought. Sharing free recycled water allows us to preserve more of our precious potable water supply, while providing those willing and able to transport recycled water access to a new, essentially unlimited source.”

Recycled water from the new Fill Station can be used for irrigation of landscaping, including trees, turf or gardens using buckets or a hose from the transport container. Customers who want to participate will need to show a current City of Brentwood utility bill, complete a short application, and receive a brief, one-time training on the regulated uses of recycled water as required by the facility permit.

The maximum amount of recycled water a customer may take in one load is 300 gallons. A 5-gallon bucket of water weighs over 40 lbs., and a container with 275-gallons can weigh as much as 2,300 lbs., so the City encourages customers to be sure their vehicles can handle the load first, since any damage to the vehicle or the customer’s property related to the transport of recycled water is the sole responsibility of the user.

Chris Ehlers, Assistant Director of Public Works/Operations for City of Brentwood states that the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant can produce up to 3.5 million gallons of recycled water each day. Ehlers further adds, currently approximately 44% of the parks and landscaped areas throughout the City are irrigated with non-potable water, a portion of which is supplied by the Recycled Water facilities.

The Recycled Water Fill Station is located at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2251 Elkins Way, just north of Sunset Park Athletic Complex. It is adjacent to the Cardboard Drop-off site.

The Recycled Water Fill Station will be open for operation on

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For information on the program and a copy of the application and guidelines, visit the City’s website at www.brentwoodca.gov/savewater or call Public Works/Operations at 925.516.6000.