Located in the scenic San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, the San Pasqual Water Reclamation Plant can treat up to 1 million gallons of wastewater per day. Opened in 1993, the purpose of the plant is to supply reclaimed water to the local community. The wastewater received at the facility is initially treated to a primary level when solids are removed. The screened primary effluent is then fed into as many as 24 aquatic treatment ponds, where the wastewater is stabilized biologically. Combined, the plants and organisms create an aquatic ecosystem which removes pollutants from wastewater.
Water hyacinths grow quickly in the aquatic treatment ponds.
Approximately 50 percent of the plants are harvested weekly from the ponds and dried for composting and reuse as a soil amendment. After the water passes through the aquatic treatment ponds, it is clarified, filtered and disinfected for use in irrigation and research.