After the State Water Resources Control Board adopted regulations for direct potable reuse on Dec. 19, water and environmental leaders from across the state are emphasizing why this is a safe and environmentally sound way to develop climate-resilient drinking water supplies.
Mickey Chaudhuri, manager of water system operations for Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: “Direct potable reuse is a vital component in California’s water management strategy and a key element of Metropolitan’s Pure Water Southern California program, which will be one of the largest water recycling facilities in the world. These regulations ensure the production of purified water adheres to the highest public health standards, while providing a new, climate-resilient water supply for millions of Californians.”
Sean Bothwell, executive director for California Coastkeeper Alliance: “The State Water Board’s approval of the direct potable reuse regulations is a landmark breakthrough for California communities' ability to become regionally resilient in the face of climate change. It's time for California to stop using water once and throwing it away. Direct potable reuse provides a drought-proof, sustainable water supply that will become a game-changer for local water supply resiliency."
Jennifer West, managing director of WateReuse California: “The direct potable reuse regulations will give California communities additional options to develop sustainable, locally controlled water supplies. The adoption of these regulations is more than a decade in the making, heralding a new era for reuse in California.”
Juan Guerrero, director of Public Utilities Department, City of San Diego: “The direct potable reuse regulations recently promulgated by the State Water Board provide clear regulatory pathways for future potable reuse projects. The regulations allow substantial flexibility for individual projects, while also setting rigorous standards to ensure the health and safety of public water supplies. The Pure Water San Diego program, which aims to provide half of San Diego’s water supply from recycled water by the end of 2035, has long benefited from a cooperative and consultative relationship with the board in the development of regulations for potable reuse, including the new regulations. San Diego believes the regulations provide regulatory clarity for how we would frame future potable reuse projects to meet San Diego’s water supply needs.”
John L. Varela, board chair, Valley Water: “Valley Water would like to thank the California State Water Resources Control Board and the Division of Drinking Water for their efforts in developing direct potable reuse regulations. As we continue to face the effects of a changing climate, it’s important to invest in new methods like direct potable reuse that are effective in protecting public health and ensure that we have a sustainable drought-proof water supply for the future.”
