Water Recycling Technology is one of these advances and the Marine Corps is implementing it.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton currently collects, disposes and provides high-quality treated water through a system of sewage treatment plants, pump stations and conveyance lines.

The water from tubs, toilets and sinks in homes and offices on Camp Pendleton travels to a water treatment plant to be cleaned through an elaborate purification process. It is then reused as non-potable water for irrigation purposes in landscaping for the golf course, parks and other recreation areas on base. Recycled water is also used to irrigate the grazing pastures at the base stables.

According to the San Diego Water Department Web site, the high levels of nutrients in recycled water, such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium help fertilize plants when used for irrigation purposes. Irrigating with recycled water is most beneficial during daylight hours due to the sunlight’s ability to stimulate nutrient absorption in plants.

Using recycled water for non-potable purposes also saves potable water for drinking. For every gallon of recycled water used, a gallon of precious drinkable water is saved, according to the City of Santa Rosa Recycled Water Program Web site.

“Water produced in Camp Pendleton is being treated at the highest purification level but it is not yet approved for drinking,” said Larry Carlson, hydrologist and geologist, Office of Water Resources, Camp Pendleton. “Recycled water is completely harmless.”

Recycled water is clear and colorless. Although the resulting product may have a slight chlorine smell, it is visibly indistinguishable from tap water to the human eye.

“Camp Pendleton is very unique because it produces the highest quality there is for recycled water in the southern areas of base,” said Dr. Khalique Khan, deputy director of Water Resources in Camp Pendleton.

Khan also said the plan is to have the entire base irrigating with recycled water by 2015.

Currently, most of the treatment plants are on the south side of base, however, planning and research will allow the installation of new facilities on the north side of base in the San Mateo and San Onofre areas.

Carlson also said that one of the requirements for sites using recycled water is the placement of signs to advise the public that recycled water is being used. Pipes, sprinkler heads, meter boxes and other irrigation equipment must be properly marked or color coded purple to avoid any potential for cross-connections and to distinguish potable from non-potable equipment.

The Camp Pendleton Water Recycling Program is a safe way to preserve the base’s natural water resources.