Treatment plan would put water from sewers back in regional supply

SUSAN VOYLES
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 2/13/2008

Using reclaimed sewer water to irrigate residential lawns and injecting it into the ground for reuse as drinking water are ways to stretch water imported to the North Valleys areas of Washoe County, according to a new Reno plan.

"Reclaimed water in parks and golf courses is one thing," said Sarah Chvilicek, who lives in Silver Knolls. "But in people's yards with children and pets is a different thing. Why are we trying to make all these oases in a desert?"

The reclaimed water proposal -- part of a larger infrastructure plan that will be reviewed tonight by the Regional Planning Commission -- comes as Washoe County faces potential water shortages down the road.

The water facilities plan identifies 30,743 acre-feet of potential water resources to meet an expected demand of 59,042 acre-feet by 2030 for an area covering central Reno and Sparks, the south Truckee Meadows, Sun Valley and Spanish Springs. An acre-foot of water covers an acre of ground with a foot of water or 325,851 gallons, the amount used by a family of four in a year.

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