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Program Details

In order to qualify for the Residential RWFS, participants must:

• Be an LADWP customer. Customers must bring their LADWP bill and a government issued ID to the Recycled Water Fill Station training for verification

• Place the LADWP-provided “Do Not Drink” purple stickers on ALL containers used for transporting recycled water.

• Bring your own water-tight lid containers to the fill station. All containers will be checked for proper labeling. You must carry and maneuver your containers; LADWP and LASAN personnel will not help load or carry any containers.

• Take the Recycled Water Fill Station training provided by LADWP

Training Required

• Training is free and will be conducted on-site at the fill station

• Please RSVP for training via email at recycledwaterinfo@ladwp.com

• Submit a signed Recycled Water User Application and Agreement Form

Recycled Water Containers

Bring your own water-tight lid container(s) to the fill station. For container suggestions, go to List of Water-Tight Lid Containers. Tie-down straps to secure the containers are recommended for your safety. For a limited time, LADWP will give away a limited number of two-gallon containers to customers picking up recycled water, while supplies last.

Participants will be allowed to pick up a maximum of 300 gallons of recycled water, free of charge, per visit. Plan accordingly when determining how much water to pick up and keep in mind the size of your vehicle when selecting transport containers. Ensure your vehicle can handle the amount and weight of recycled water you collect and transport. Driving a vehicle with heavy, sloshing liquid decreases vehicle stability and requires longer stopping distance.

Recycled Water FAQ

Q. What is recycled water and is it safe?
A. Recycled water is wastewater that has been processed through primary, secondary and tertiary treatment and disinfected with chlorine. It meets the strict standards and safety regulations of the State Water Resources Control Board and is safe for all human contact except drinking.

Q. Why is recycled water not safe to drink? What happens if I drink it?
A. Recycled water is not approved for drinking. However, it is treated to an extremely high standard and accidental consumption is not likely to make you ill. If you accidentally drink recycled water, there is no need to panic. Should you experience any adverse symptoms or feel unwell, consult your doctor.

Q. What are the permitted uses of recycled water?
A. Based on requirements set forth in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, tertiary-treated recycled water can be used to water lawns, gardens, trees, edible fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, all fruits, vegetables, and herbs must be washed with drinking water prior to consumption. Recycled water tends to have a higher salt content than drinking water, so it's best to direct the recycled water to the roots of the plants and not the foliage. This will protect them from potential leaf burn.

Q. What are prohibited uses of recycled water?

• Drinking
• Cooking or use in the kitchen
• Bathing or showering
• Filling swimming pools or spas
• Children's water toys
• Discharging to the street gutter or storm drain system
• Plumbing to a household domestic plumbing system

Q. How can I participate?
A. You must be an LADWP customer. You are required to bring your LADWP bill and a government-issued photo ID to the Recycled Water Fill Station. A brief training session will be provided prior to distribution of the recycled water for first-time visitors.

You may receive up to 300 gallons of disinfected, tertiary recycled water per visit.

Q. How much will recycled water cost me?
A. LADWP is offering this service at no cost to its residential and commercial customers during the Residential Recycled Water Fill Station Program days.

Q. Can I water fruit and vegetable plants with recycled water?
A. Yes, but you should use potable drinking water to rinse all fruits or vegetables watered with recycled water prior to consumption.

Q. What if I spill recycled water on my hands?
A. If you spill recycled water on your hands just rinse your hands as you would with potable water, recycled water is not approved for human consumption

Q. Does recycled water smell funny?
A. Recycled water looks and smells just like potable water. That is why it is important to go through the recycled water training and label the container with a “Do not drink, Non-potable water” label.


Q. Are there plans to open more recycled water fill stations?
A. The Los Angeles Zoo has a fill station in their parking lot at 5333 Zoo Drive. They are open every Monday from 8:00am to 2:00pm, following the same guidelines as the LAG Fill Station. For holidays that fall on a Monday, the Zoo Fill Station will operate on Tuesdays.

Q. Why do you require a government issued ID?
A. The government issued ID is for verification purposes. Recycled water is available only to LADWP customers and residents/businesses within the City of Los Angeles.

Q. What will I learn in the required course and how long does it take?
A. The course is three hours long, and you will learn safe handling of recycled water.

Q. Why should I water plants with recycled water instead of tap water?
A. Using recycled water instead of potable tap water helps conserve potable water for drinking and lessens the amount of water we need to import from outside the City.

Q. Why isn't there a purple pipe system across the City of Los Angeles?
A. The recycled water purple pipe system is built out according to the Recycled Water Master Plan document. All purple pipe alignments must go for approval through the DWP Board.

Q. How do I know the water is safe to use?
A. Recycled water is treated according to the strict standards and regulations established by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Q. Can you deliver recycled water to my home or business?
A. No, you need to attend the training and pick up the water in person.

Q. As a local business, can I still get free recycled water?
A. As long as you are an LADWP customer and attend the training, you may receive up to 300 gallons of disinfected, tertiary recycled water per visit. Should your business need extensive amounts of recycled water more than 300 gallons regularly, and if your business is along an existing or planned alignment of purple pipe, you may apply for purple pipe connection permit.

Q. What does the City of Los Angeles do with its recycled water?
A. The City of Los Angeles uses recycled water for many things. Recycled water is used for landscaping at City-owned golf courses. Recycled water is also used for industrial use, with businesses in the Harbor area receiving recycled water. It is also used to prevent seawater intrusion in our groundwater supply through injection at the Dominguez Gap. Through the One Water LA program, the City is also studying more opportunities for the city to expand its recycled water uses.

Q. Can I use recycled water in concrete mixing?
A. Yes you can use it in lieu of potable water and it is encouraged.