COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Joint WRC with Cities of Gilroy/Morgan Hill/SCRWA
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Receive an Update on South County Water Reuse Collaboration.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Receive an update and provide feedback on South County water reuse collaboration and implementation.
Body
SUMMARY:
Since 1999, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), the City of Gilroy, and the City of Morgan Hill have collaborated to enhance and expand the use of non-potable water recycling in South Santa Clara County (South County). In 2017, the Joint Water Resources Committee (JWRC) was established to advance water resource interests in South County, which includes identifying future opportunities for purified and recycled water reuse in South County, and determining funding opportunities to implement recommended projects based on the South County Water Reuse Master Plans. The JWRC most recently received an informational update in April 2026.
Feasibility Study Update
Valley Water staff have continued to work on the South County Recycled Water System Feasibility Study (FS) which is partially funded by a 2023 United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) planning grant. The completed FS will satisfy a prerequisite for future federal funding support for the design and construction of South County water reuse projects under the USBR Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program. During the last quarter, staff have continued to assemble data, engineering and planning information; evaluated prospective water reuse options and opportunities; and reached consensus with the Cities on preferred future water reuse options. Specific activities have included:
• Development and refinement of the Project Alternatives TM.
• Fine-tuning project and project alternative components, costs, and benefits.
• Examination of 2050 Water Supply Master Plan and 2025 Urban Water Management Plans to update water demand and supply projections.
• Development of first three sections that focus on identifying the study area, summarizing the problem and needs, and outlining water reuse opportunities.
• Developed outlines of other FS sections for internal review and alignment.
Staff are now transitioning toward the development of FS elements regarding South County water reuse options and opportunities, project alternatives, environmental concerns, interagency issues, and economic considerations. Staff will present FS highlights, discuss the study development progress, and review the project timeline to complete the FS.
South County Recycled Water Collaborations
Since 2015, Valley Water has implemented a series of interagency agreements with the City of Gilroy to complete portions of the Southern Recycled Water Pipeline Alignment (Southern Alignment) as residential neighborhoods have been constructed in the Glen Loma Development. Staff will present an update of collaborations with the City of Gilroy to construct the last remaining pipeline segment to complete this major pipeline segment.
In 2024, Valley Water constructed the South County Recycled Water Pipeline Project that completed a major portion of the Southern Alignment, except for Phase 1C that would bridge the southern system to the existing Northern Alignment. In 2025, Valley Water initiated construction to complete this critical pipeline segment that will increase distribution system capabilities and support expanded recycled water use. Staff will provide a project update on the completion of Phase 1C pipeline construction.
In 2015, Phase 1B - Segment 3 was constructed to support recycled water expansion to Cintas Corporation (Cintas). The new pipeline extended water reuse northwesterly from the existing Norther Alignment along Camino Arroyo and subsequently northeasterly along Holloway Road to the customer. Staff will present an update on discussions to provide Cintas recycled water at their site.
Since 2020, Valley Water staff have provided technical support to the City of Gilroy to expand the water recycling conveyance system (Northern Alignment) and increase recycled water storage at the South County Regional Wastewater Authority treatment plant to support future water reuse to a proposed Amazon project at no cost to Valley Water. Staff will present an update on recent discussions with the City of Gilroy to provide recycled water to this site.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with this agenda item. This action is unlikely to or will not result in adverse impacts.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Kirsten Struve, 408-630-3138