Purified Water

Advanced purified water is highly treated recycled wastewater that has been processed, clean, and purified using proven, state-of-the art water treatment technologies. The resulting pure water meets state and federal drinking water standards.

Our region faces challenges and increasing concerns with growth, drought, and the impacts of weather variability (such as snowpack changes and water runoff timing). Considering these issues, as well as changing state regulations, it is becoming more and more important to provide a local, reliable, sustainable, and drought-resilient water source for both the near- and long-term health and economic vitality of our region. This project would reduce reliance on other sources of water that are less sustainable and address emerging regulatory concerns.

Some portions of our community have access to municipal recycled water that can be used for landscape irrigation, agricultural irrigation, and in cooling towers. Recycled water use replaces the use of drinking water for those uses, however, recycled water used for those purposes is not suitable for drinking. Purified water begins as recycled water and is further treated through advanced processes to meet drinking water standards.(such as snowpack changes and water runoff timing). Considering these issues, as well as changing state regulations, it is becoming more and more important to provide a local, reliable, sustainable, and drought-resilient water source for both the near- and long-term health and economic vitality of our region. This project would reduce reliance on other sources of water that are less sustainable and address emerging regulatory concerns.

Conservation in our region has been largely successful, and while we continue to encourage and increase conservation, it is not enough. To ensure a resilient water supply into the future, we continue to explore all opportunities to diversify and expand our water supply sources. Purified water could be a viable, local, sustainable source that could augment other supplies.irrigation, agricultural irrigation, and in cooling towers. Recycled water use replaces the use of drinking water for those uses, however, recycled water used for those purposes is not suitable for drinking. Purified water begins as recycled water and is further treated through advanced processes to meet drinking water standards.(such as snowpack changes and water runoff timing). Considering these issues, as well as changing state regulations, it is becoming more and more important to provide a local, reliable, sustainable, and drought-resilient water source for both the near- and long-term health and economic vitality of our region. This project would reduce reliance on other sources of water that are less sustainable and address emerging regulatory concerns.

Stopping or reducing growth is not the appropriate answer to address long-term water supply needs. In a dry year we need additional local sources of water regardless of whether there is growth. Population growth and increased demand for water will occur with ongoing economic growth. Reliable local water supplies are essential for local businesses to grow and prosper, and finding ways to enhance our existing water sources is prudent to provide water supply stability for the region.

In advanced water purification, recycled water is passed through a series of filtration and disinfection process to produce drinking water that meets all public health standards. Multiple filtration technologies (such as activated carbon and membrane filters) remove dissolved chemicals and microscopic organisms such as protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and minute concentrations of other constituents. Disinfection technologies (such as hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light or ozone gas) remove any organic particles that remain. The combination of filtration and disinfection provides robust and redundant treatment. Purified water is rigorously tested and monitored daily.we need additional local sources of water regardless of whether there is growth. Population growth and increased demand for water will occur with ongoing economic growth. Reliable local water supplies are essential for local businesses to grow and prosper, and finding ways to enhance our existing water sources is prudent to provide water supply stability for the region.

The State of California regulates the treatment of groundwater and surface water and is also responsible for regulating the production of purified water. These regulations ensure water purveyors meet state and federal water quality standards, making certain the water is safe. To produce advanced purified water, this includes testing and strict water quality requirements for removing constituents of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. After decades of using purified water to recharge underground and surface water supplies in other parts of the US and the world, there have been no adverse health effects from its use. Water quality sampling confirms purified water that undergoes this level of treatment has a much higher level of water quality than treated groundwater or surface water – in fact, this process purifies water to a level that is cleaner than most bottled water.

Yes, these substances (commonly referred to as contaminants of emerging concern, or CECs) are removed to levels below concentrations of significance through the purification treatment process. The common purification technologies effectively remove CECs. All resulting purified water meets the same rigorous state and federal standards required for all drinking water.regulating the production of purified water. These regulations ensure water purveyors meet state and federal water quality standards, making certain the water is safe. To produce advanced purified water, this includes testing and strict water quality requirements for removing constituents of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. After decades of using purified water to recharge underground and surface water supplies in other parts of the US and the world, there have been no adverse health effects from its use. Water quality sampling confirms purified water that undergoes this level of treatment has a much higher level of water quality than treated groundwater or surface water – in fact, this process purifies water to a level that is cleaner than most bottled water.

There are two different approaches to how purified water is introduced to a water supply: indirect, and direct potable reuse. Indirect potable reuse means that after the water is purified, it is introduced into an environmental buffer, such as a groundwater aquifer or surface water reservoir, for a period of time. This blended water then gets delivered to a pipeline that leads to a drinking water plant or distribution system. For direct potable reuse, the purified water is put into pipelines that go directly to a drinking water plant or distribution system. Direct potable reuse may occur with or without “engineered storage” such as underground or above-ground tanks.

No. Purified water is produced from highly treated wastewater that undergoes a rigorous treatment process to clean it and transform it into a high-quality water supply that is safe to drink. The purification process and the resulting water quality are continuously monitored to ensure that the water meets strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality requirements before it can be part of the drinking water distribution system.potable reuse. Indirect potable reuse means that after the water is purified, it is introduced into an environmental buffer, such as a groundwater aquifer or surface water reservoir, for a period of time. This blended water then gets delivered to a pipeline that leads to a drinking water plant or distribution system. For direct potable reuse, the purified water is put into pipelines that go directly to a drinking water plant or distribution system. Direct potable reuse may occur with or without “engineered storage” such as underground or above-ground tanks.

Groundwater recharge (also referred to as replenishment) is an innovative concept in water conservation/reuse where either potable water or advanced purified water is injected into a groundwater aquifer through a well for later extraction and use.

No. If purified water is added to our water supply in the future, it would not adversely impact our groundwater supply. The purified water will meet stringent drinking water quality standards before it is injected into the groundwater basin. Additionally, purified water would increase groundwater supply and provide a barrier to protect our groundwater supply from seawater intrusion.

No, it is anticipated that there would be no taste difference at all. That is because the purified water would be blended with existing sources and go through the same final treatment process as currently utilized before reaching homes and businesses.

Using purified water for drinking is not new in the U.S. and has been in use for more than 40 years, since the 1970s. Many communities in California such as Monterey, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara County, other states including Texas, Virginia, and Colorado, as well as other countries for example Namibia, Africa, Singapore, and Australia, are currently operating or evaluating this type of project – with many more in various stages of consideration or development. California’s Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment Project has produced over 200 billion gallons to date of purified water to recharge its groundwater basin – a source of drinking water. Disneyland theme park proudly promotes its participation in this type of water recycling and purification program. Locations of other projects in use or being planned are identified on the Global Connections Map, available at https://water360.com.au/map/. This interactive resource was developed by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) in collaboration with the WateReuse Association. This map highlights numerous case studies worldwide where the water industry is innovating to create value for their customers, particularly focusing on the implementation of purified recycled water for drinking purposes, also known as potable reuse. Users can explore various markers on the map to learn about different projects, each categorized into four stages: 1) Exploring/Education, 2) Planned, 3) Under Construction, and 4) Operating/Available. This categorization provides insights into the global progression and acceptance of potable reuse initiatives. The map serves as a valuable educational tool, demonstrating that potable water reuse projects are not only safe but are also being successfully implemented across diverse regions worldwide.

Learn more about the advanced water purification process, associated research, and water reuse projects by visiting this website: https://watereuse.org/educate/