What else to consider for recycled water systems

Regardless of whether a recycled-water system is new or a retrofit, one or more operating permits must be obtained from the relevant agency or agencies. Annual reports may also need to be submitted.

Several guidelines should also be followed when operating the system:

• Unless the landscape is generally inaccessible to the public, such as one along a freeway, irrigation should occur when the public is least likely to use the site, such as between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Irrigation at other times is permitted only if the system is operated under supervision, so as to avoid inadvertently exposing the public to the water.
• For any publicly accessible landscape, a reasonable amount of time should elapse after irrigation so that the landscape will be dry by the time it's used by the public.
• The system should be operated so that irrigation water is restricted to the site's boundaries and is not blown by the force of wind or spray to areas beyond those boundaries.
• The system should also be operated so as to prevent ponding of water and subsequent run-off. Water should never be applied at a rate that exceeds the soil's rate of infiltration, unless such a practice is specifically included in the agreement with the water district — for example, for purposes such as leaching.

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