Reclaiming what's used
Uses of Reclaimed Water in the Region
All water on the planet is a product of recycling from the beginning of time: from lake and ocean evaporation, to cloud formation, to rain and snowfall, to aquifers and to rivers which flow back into lakes and oceans.
In other words, there is no "new" water.
At a much smaller scale, local water recycling is a growing and important part of the community's comprehensive water resource management strategy for the Truckee Meadows.
Locally, the Truckee River and groundwater aquifers provide the region with potable water, or drinking water. Potable water is used once and is then conveyed to water reclamation facilities where it is treated and transformed into a new resource called reclaimed water. Water reclamation, or water recycling, is the process of treating wastewater into water that can be used for non-potable purposes. Common applications for reclaimed water include commercial or agricultural irrigation, wetland restoration, dust control, and industrial use.
Reclaimed water in the Truckee Meadows is currently produced by three entities: City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County. There are three water reclamation facilities that produce reclaimed water: Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF), Reno Stead Water Reclamation Facility (RSWRF), and South Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (STMWRF). In fact, 100% of reclaimed water from STMWRF is used for irrigation.
Reclaimed water is a valuable asset for the community. When irrigation peaks in the summer, reclaimed water produced in the Truckee Meadows provides about 10% of the total water supply used in the region.
Categories of Reclaimed Water
In the Truckee Meadows, using reclaimed water helps preserve traditional water resources (lakes, rivers, creeks and groundwater) for potable uses, such as drinking, cooking, and other vital needs.
Reclaimed water has many benefits, these include:
- Reduced demand on potable surface water and groundwater resources.
- Increased water supply for commercial landscapes, construction, and other industry uses.
- Decreased treated wastewater discharge into fresh water sources.
- Uses for wetland restoration.
- An additional irrigation source for agricultural land.
Depending on its intended use, the process of reclaiming water has a progression of treatment steps, requirements, and regulations that must be met. These can vary by state. In Nevada, there are six categories of reclaimed water based on water quality requirements that are approved for a defined set of uses, as shown below. In the Truckee Meadows, two of these are currently in use (Category A and B).
Purification through Advanced Treatment (OneWater Nevada)
In December 2016, after a thorough regulatory review process led by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Nevada formally recognized a new category of reclaimed water called Category A+, or Advanced Purified Water.
To become Advanced Purified Water these rigorous water quality standards must be fulfilled:
- Meet all national primary drinking water regulations.
- Meet all Nevada secondary maximum contaminant levels.
- Demonstrate specific reductions for pathogens.
- Undergo monitoring for unregulated constituents (e.g. pharmaceuticals, personal care products).
Once all safe drinking water requirements are met, the purified water is introduced into local groundwater aquifers for an extended period of time. This part of the process adds an environmental barrier and allows for an additional treatment step, as purified water undergoes natural filtration while flowing through the aquifer. The end result is water so pure that it is suitable for potable use.
In the Truckee Meadows, Advanced Purified Water is the subject of a feasibility study for the purpose of groundwater replenishment and as a potential option to further diversify the region's water portfolio. This exploratory effort is guided by a collaboration of regional stakeholders and water resource management experts called OneWater Nevada.
The current feasibility study, permitted by NDEP, offers OneWater Nevada the opportunity to:
- Safely evaluate the feasibility of reliably producing advanced purified water.
- Test and validate advanced water treatment technologies.
- Operate proven treatment processes and groundwater recharge concurrently at a small, controlled scale.
- Monitor water quality and conduct extensive data analyses.
- Engage with regulators, policymakers, professional associations, and the public.
This feasibility study is permitted until fall of 2020. The outcomes of the research will be reported back to NDEP in spring 2021.
Where is advanced water purification already in use?
Today dozens of communities across the nation are either using, or are working to establish the viability of, Advanced Purified Water in their local environments. Some of the most current information about reclaimed water programs and initiatives can be found through WateReuse, a national association that also publishes weekly newsletters.
The map below shows current known projects and demonstration studies, as captured in a January 2020 WateReuse Florida report.
Participate and Learn
April 2026
Thursday, April 2nd Water Supply Outlook for the Truckee Meadows
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
What do the recent snowpack measurements mean for our local water supply and for this summer’s irrigation season? Kara Steeland, TMWA’s Senior Hydrologist & Watershed Coordinator, will provide context and answer questions about projected river flows and TMWA’s integrated water management approach.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/88559963509
Wednesday, April 8 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (In-person Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, April 15 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (Virtual Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/82696143523
May 2026
Saturday, May 6 Smart About Water Day - Celebrating 25 Years of Local Water System Control
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Idlewild Park's California Building
Join regional water resource agencies to learn how our regional water resources are managed. There will be activities and family-focused displays and presentations with food trucks onsite. Free to the community and timed to kick off the 25th anniversary for the formation of Truckee Meadows Water Authority!
Wednesday, May 20th Drip System Maintenance Made Easy
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Attendees will be introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential drip system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, May 27 Sprinkler Maintenance Made Easy (for sprinklers only!)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capitol Blvd.
Get introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential sprinkler system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
June 2026
Wednesday, June 3 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 10 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, June 13 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 17 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 24 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
September 2026
Tuesday, September 1 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 8 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 15 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 22 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, September 26 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
October 2026
Wednesday, October 7 Winterize Your Irrigation System (in-person)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Captial Blvd.
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, October 14 Winterize Your Irrigation System (virtual)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/84043366205
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