Reclaimed Water Program

What is Reclaimed Water?

The City produces and distributes Class A reclaimed water during dry season months for non-drinking uses such as landscape irrigation. Reclaimed water is wastewater that gets treated to such a high level that it can be used safely for irrigation. Reclaimed water is available during dry season months during peak irrigation demand and when other water resources may be taxed by drought conditions.

Reducing Reliance on Potable Water Sources

The City proactively developed its Reclaimed Water Program 25 years ago. This utilization of treated wastewater for irrigation reduces the City's reliance on new potable water sources. This approach - using warm, treated wastewater for irrigation needs - ensures the appropriate use of water resources and is significantly more sustainable than using the City’s treated drinking water.  Since 2015, the City's Reclaimed Water Program has saved approximately 68 million gallons of drinking water per year. 

State Permit and Customers

Following extensive public review, the City received a permit in 2002 authorizing the use of reclaimed water at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge golf course, in City parks, medians, and roadway shoulders. This practice has been in place continuously since that time.

Customers who purchase the City's reclaimed water supply are The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, the Snoqualmie Ridge Business Park, the Snoqualmie Ridge ROA, and the City of Snoqualmie Parks and Streets Divisions, which use reclaimed water to irrigate City parks, medians, roadways shoulders. 

Water use for golf course irrigation is authorized under state-issued permits, which have undergone multiple public reviews and comment periods, including an Environmental Impact Statement. When the master-planned Snoqualmie Ridge project was developed, new water rights were applied for in 1989, and a state permit was issued specifically to support irrigation of the golf course and associated public development.

Golf Course Water Supply in Summer Months

In recent years, approximately 209 acre-feet per year (afy) of reclaimed water was delivered to the golf course between May and September. While this reclaimed water could technically be discharged into the Snoqualmie River as treated wastewater, when converted to an average supply rate, it represents only about 0.2% of the Snoqualmie River's average flow at Snoqualmie Falls in August during that same period. This volume of reclaimed water allotted for irrigation has been determined in the State discharge permit to be protective of downstream water users.

Reclaimed Water Distribution System Improvement Project

The City is currently undergoing a major utility improvement project to store and collect Class A (reclaimed) water. This facility replaces the existing arrangement with the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Course for use of the shared pumphouse and water storage facility at the Eagle Lake. Moving forward, the City will separate itself from the golf course facilities and adjust Class A water rates to bill customers on a standardized billing structure, including a fixed rate charge and a volume rate charge. This billing structure is the same as the City's potable water rate structure and is a common practice for water utility billing.  Learn more about the project. 

Snoqualmie Water Efficiency Program

The City of Snoqualmie has established water use efficiency goals that were developed through a public process, evaluated and reported annually, and updated at least every 10 years as part of its Water System Plan update.  Snoqualmie has made significant strides with this program in recent years. Recent examples include upgrades to City irrigation systems that have reduced irrigation water usage by 40%. The City has also completed extensive replacement of older conveyance system piping, resulting in an approximate 5% reduction in leakage. The City also  implemented a filter backwash system at its North Water Treatment Facility that saves approximately 7-million gallons of water consumption each year.  Snoqualmie's average annual water usage is now significantly less than it was ten years ago - despite appreciable population growth.

Commitment to Water Supply Resiliency

The City of Snoqualmie remains committed to resilient water supply management for its residents, customers, and other basin water users, including the protection of in-stream flows for ecological health. For example, since 2023, the City has been working under a state Streamflow Restoration Grant to develop an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program to help enhance Snoqualmie River flows and water supply during low-flow periods. The City’s reclaimed water program, active participation in WRIA 7 watershed planning, and ongoing conservation initiatives further demonstrate its dedication to sustainable water stewardship and river health.