Water Recycling

Using Recycled Water to Protect Water Quality and Ensure a Reliable Water Supply

Conservation is the most effective way to ensure greater water sustainability, and there is much more we can do to in that regard to provide insurance against the environmental stressors posed by population growth and global warming. Water recycling, however, will also be an increasingly important part of California's sustainable water future. The key to making recycled water part of a sustainable supply is to use it in a way that protects both public health and waterway health. CCKA takes action to ensure that California rises up to meet that challenge.

The Associated Press released an investigation revealing that the drinking water supplies of 41 million Americans are polluted by "emerging contaminants," such as pharmaceuticals. The same Associated Press investigation revealed that fish and wildlife all may be affected by emerging contaminants. Recycled water can contain pollutants that pass through the recycling treatment process, including metals, salts, nitrates, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupters, organic pollutants, chlorine, and copper. The California Department of Public Health (DPH) has set some standards to protect human health from some of these pollutants. But these may not be sufficient to fully protect water health. For example, copper is far more toxic to aquatic life than to humans.

The State Water Board is developing statewide recycled water policy guidance that will in part address the potential impact of such contaminants in the environment at large. Because increased recycling of California's limited water resources will be important to meet the ever-growing demand for water in the state, it is important to ensure a vigorous, comprehensive commitment to protect and enhance water quality in the process. CCKA has commented regularly on drafts of the State Water Board's proposed Recycled Water Policy; these comments can be found at the recycled water link above. The State Water Board declined to take action on its proposed Recycled Water Policy at their March 18th meeting, instead granting the request of the regulated community and environmental organizations to initiate a stakeholder process that will develop a strategy for achieving the state's recycled water goals. CCKA was instrumental in ensuring this outcome and will play a significant role in this stakeholder process to ensure that recycled water is used in a way that protects public health and the health of the state's waterways.

California Coastkeeper Alliance

PO Box 3156, Fremont CA 94539