California regulators are set to vote on new rules that would allow water agencies to recycle wastewater and use it as drinking water. This would be a significant step for a state that has long struggled with water scarcity issues and signals a shift in public opinion on recycled water. In the past, similar projects faced backlash, but with multiple extreme droughts in recent years, California is now looking for innovative solutions to ensure a reliable water source for its residents.

California has already been using recycled wastewater for various purposes. For instance, the Ontario Reign minor league hockey team uses it to make ice, and the Soda Springs Ski Resort near Lake Tahoe uses it to create snow. Additionally, farmers in the Central Valley, known for growing a significant portion of the nation's produce, use recycled wastewater for irrigation. However, direct use of recycled water for drinking has not been implemented until now.

Orange County operates a large water purification system that recycles wastewater and replenishes underground aquifers. The water remains in the groundwater for months before being pumped up and used for drinking water. The new rules proposed by California would allow water agencies to treat wastewater and directly inject it back into the drinking water system. This would make California the second state, after Colorado, to implement such a system.

The proposed rules require stringent treatment of the wastewater, including removing all pathogens and viruses, even if they are not present in the wastewater. This is different from regular water treatment rules, which only require treatment for known pathogens. Darrin Polhemus, the deputy director of the division of drinking water for the California Water Resources Control Board, states that the treatment is so thorough that it removes minerals that give fresh drinking water its taste. These minerals need to be added back at the end of the process.

Building these treatment facilities is an expensive and time-consuming process, so initially, it will only be feasible for bigger, well-funded cities. San Diego, for instance, has plans to build a water recycling program that aims to account for almost half of the city's water by 2035. However, public support will be crucial for the success of these projects. The rules also require water agencies to inform customers about the use of recycled water before implementing it.

To gain public support and showcase the effectiveness of the process, the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center in San Jose has opened its doors to the public for tours. Kirsten Struve, assistant officer for the water supply division at the Santa Clara Valley Water District, emphasizes that this process ensures the water is clean and safe. Currently, the water is used for non-drinking purposes like irrigation, but the plan is to eventually use it for drinking water.

Struve highlights the importance of having a drought-resistant water supply, especially given the frequency of droughts in California and the anticipated impacts of climate change. Providing a reliable source of drinking water is crucial for meeting the needs of California's communities in the future. While building these treatment facilities may be challenging, the state is taking proactive measures to address its water scarcity issues and ensure a sustainable water supply for its growing population.