Reclaimed Water

Did you know? Water never actually disappears.

It is constantly recycled through the oceans, rivers, glaciers, soils, and atmosphere. The water we use every day is as old as the planet.

Now, using proven technologies that mimic nature's treatment and filtering processes, we are producing high-quality reclaimed water from the water we use and discard every day. This Class A Reclaimed Water has many beneficial uses.

The Right Water for the Right Use.

Reclaimed, or "recycled" water is produced from the water we use and discard every day. Although it is relatively new in the Pacific Northwest, reclaimed water has been used across the U.S. (and the world) for decades. It is ideal for many non-drinking purposes. Reclaimed water allows communities to stretch their water supplies and match the type of water they use to actual needs.

Available in Olympia.

Class A Reclaimed Water, the highest quality of reclaimed water, is being put to good use in Olympia. It is produced by the LOTT Alliance (Lacey-Olympia-Tumwater-Thurston County) at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant in downtown Olympia.

Reclaimed water can be used by agencies and businesses for:

• Irrigation
• Commercial processes
• Decorative fountains and ponds
• Pressure washing
• Dust control
• Toilet flushing
• Groundwater recharge
• Streamflow and wetland enhancement

You can see Reclaimed Water at work!

Agencies and businesses that use reclaimed water have posted signs to let you know they are making wise water choices.

Produced in Olympia.

The LOTT Alliance is producing up to one million gallons of Class A Reclaimed Water at its Budd Inlet Treatment Plant. This water is then distributed by Olympia's water utility to its customers.

Used in Olympia.

The reclaimed water is being used to irrigate Heritage and Marathon Parks around Capitol Lake, Percival Landing Park in downtown Olympia, and the Port of Olympia. As availability of this new resource increases, more businesses and agencies are choosing to use it.

It's safe, sensible, and sustainable.

By using reclaimed water, we're working together to provide high-quality water for our environment and our future:

• Safe: The reclaimed water that LOTT produces is safe for public contact and almost any use except drinking. It meets Class A Reclaimed Water standards approved by the Washington State Departments of Health and Ecology. The reclaimed water is continually monitored and tested to ensure that it meets strict quality standards. Only water that meets those strict standards can be put to use.
• Sensible: Olympia must ensure that our water supplies meet increasing demands for water. The greatest demand occurs during the summer, when irrigation can double or triple daily water consumption. Reclaimed water is ideally suited for irrigation.
• Sustainable: LOTT is producing reclaimed water to help meet increased future wastewater treatment needs. The City of Olympia plans to use and distribute more reclaimed water for non-drinking purposes. Every gallon of reclaimed water that is used for outdoor watering represents a gallon of potable water saved for drinking.

Contact Us:

For more information about reclaimed water, contact:

• Olympia Water Resources staff, Donna Buxton, at 360.753.8793 or via email at Publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us
• LOTT Alliance 360.664.2333, extension 1112
  www.lottonline.org

Contacting Public Works

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A
• Mailing Address: PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967 (directions)
• Hours: M - F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
• 360.753.8588, TTY 360.753.8005
• publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us