The use of reclaimed (highly treated) wastewater for non-potable uses is rapidly taking hold throughout the United States as a sustainable alternative to using highly treated drinking water for irrigation and cooling tower coolant. Loudoun Water's Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility was designed with the intent of producing reclaimed water for distribution in Loudoun Water’s water reuse system. This promotes the beneficial use of our highly treated water and reduces the wasteful use of drinking water.

Reclaimed water can be used for many commercial applications, including the following:

• irrigation
• toilet flushing
• cooling water for HVAC systems
• chilling water for data centers

The use of reclaimed water will help reduce peak summer potable water demands for new construction within the service area. This is in alignment with Loudoun County Economic Development and supports the policy of integrated water systems and supports Loudoun County’s green initiatives.

Loudoun Water has installed/under construction 22,400 feet of 16-inch and 12-inch reclaimed water mains (“purple pipe”) to serve private office buildings. This effort includes installing of purple pipe to the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation building, planned to be a gold LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certified building, located along Route 28.

Loudoun Water continues to receive a high level of interest from customers interested in reclaimed water service for irrigation, cooling towers and other non-potable uses, and to meet LEED criteria.

According to Dave Paylor, DEQ Director, “Using reclaimed water will conserve high quality water for drinking and other essential uses, reducing stress on water resources throughout the Commonwealth.”

Loudoun Water has received $1.78M in state stimulus funding to install water reuse mains and another $260,000 for green reserve projects, including a reclaimed water dispensing station at the Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility.

Other useful Water Reuse Resources

DEQ Fact Sheet
Water Reuse Regulation

Water Reuse Rate