Winter 2015 – California Legislative Update ADirect Key Part of Potable California’s Water Reuse Supply Solution DPR Initiative — Part of the Solution to “California needs California’s Water Supply Challenges more high quality The national WateReuse Research undertaken in 2012 as a means of Foundation and WateReuse California establishing DPR as a water supply water and recycling have launched the California Direct option that can be implemented by Potable Reuse (DPR) Initiative to water utilities. The DPR Initiative’s is key to getting there.” establish DPR as a new water supply primary objective has been to address — Governor Jerry Brown option that is both sustainable and the regulatory, scientific, technical, and protective of public health. DPR attitudinal issues surrounding DPR projects treat wastewater, including projects by late 2016. This is being sewer water, that has been cleaned for accomplished through funding inde- return to the environment and actually pendent and rigorous scientific research further clean or purify it to meet all and communicating the research find- drinking water standards. This purified ings and data through public outreach water will be regulated by state water and awareness programs. quality and health officials and implemented by water utilities in a The WateReuse Research Foundation safe, cost-effective and environmentally initiated 26 independent DPR-related responsible manner. Scientifically research projects in 2014 (or before), What is DPR? proven advances in water purification totaling over $11.5 million to evaluate technologies allow communities to and demonstrate the feasibility of DPR (Direct Potable Reuse) reuse water for many different purposes opportunities. The research revolves DPR is the introduction of highly depending on the use for the water. around developing a robust monitor- purified recycled water directly This includes purifying water to dis- ing and redundant water purification into the raw water supply imme- tilled quality for industrial process use, system. The SB 918 Expert Panel must diately upstream of a water treat- as well as purifying water for drinking. provide a report to the Legislature ment plant, or into the distribution about feasibility of developing DPR system downstream of a water The California DPR Initiative was regulation by December 2016. treatment plant. To date, proposals have been to introduce DPR water into a water treatment plant intake rather than into the distribution system. While identical in many aspects to indirect potable reuse (IPR) with highly purified recycled water, DPR eliminates the need to pass purified water through an environmental buffer—such as a groundwater aquifer or a reservoir. The direct conveyance of purified recycled water to the drinking water system is the main charac- teristic distinguishing it from the At locations like Orange County Water District (above) and West Basin Municipal Water indirect path of IPR. District, indirect potable reuse plants are operating and visitors can taste the highly purified water. Water Reuse Happens Naturally Multiple Benefits Recycled water is water that is used treatment plan intake rather than into more than one time before it passes the distribution system. of Potable Reuse back into the natural water cycle. It is wastewater, including sewage, which has The way in which potable reused water California’s growing population been treated or purified to a level that is delivered determines whether it is and chronic water shortages allows for reuse for beneficial purposes. called indirect potable reuse or direct continue to stretch the limits of potable reuse. our state’s water supplies. But each Potable Reuse — Direct and Indirect California community is different Potable reuse refers to reused water Water reuse, including potable reuse, and has its own unique reason that meets all federal and state drink- happens naturally all over the planet. to develop new water supplies, ing water standards and is safe for Water reuse hap- including potable reuse. Here are human consumption. Potable reuse pens daily on rivers just a few: may be characterized as either indirect and other water Safe, reliable water supply potable reuse (IPR) or direct potable bodies everywhere. reuse (DPR). In IPR, wastewater that If you live in a Potable reuse uses proven tech- has been highly purified is introduced community down- nology to purify recycled water into an environmental buffer for a stream of another, to provide a safe water source. specified period of time before being chances are you are Multiple treatment barriers withdrawn for potable purposes. The reusing its water and likewise com- separate pollutants from water. environmental buffer may be a ground- munities downstream of you are most The purification process produces water aquifer or a surface water reser- likely reusing your water. This has been water that is cleaner than most voir. The purpose of the environmental called “de facto” or unacknowledged/ bottled water. buffer is to provide an additional barrier unplanned potable reuse. Sustainable water supply option for the protection of public health. The amount of water on the planet Potable reuse provides a sustain- In DPR, highly purified recycled water does not change, so through nature all able and cost-competitive water is introduced with or without the use water has been used and reused since supply option that is less energy of an engineered buffer into the raw the beginning of time. Using advanced intensive than many alternative water supply feeding a water treatment technology to purify recycled water options. plant, or into the distribution system merely speeds up a natural process. In Environmental benefits downstream of a water treatment fact, potable reuse provides a needed plant. To date, proposals have been water supply that is of higher quality Potable reuse allows us to leave to introduce DPR water into a water than what occurs naturally. more water in rivers, lakes and streams for the fish, plants and wildlife, while reducing discharges to these water bodies and the Building Trust is Key to Public Acceptance ocean. Understanding and addressing research (message testing and Drought proof community and stakeholder concerns evaluation) with a focus on fostering Potable reuse is a drought proof can be a significant challenge toward awareness, education and acceptance by: water supply. It can help ensure fostering acceptance for potable reuse safe, sustainable water now and projects in a community. Research • Identifying and clarifying health and into the future. activities have included gauging a safety concerns general understanding of perceptions • Identifying and addressing concerns Responsive to climate change of recycled water use, identifying about reliability and the ability to Potable reuse is part of a primary concerns, and developing stop production diversified water portfolio and educational and communication tools is independent of climate or that can provide greater assurance, • Developing a public outreach frame- weather. awareness and education. work and communication tools that address concerns in layperson terms Research in this area includes various and in ways that can be adapted by assessments; in-depth interviews, focus utilities for a variety of community groups, surveying, and communication audiences. 2 Multi-Barrier Water Purification Steps DPR’s Potential UV/ Aquifer/ Drinking Drinking Recycled Membrane Reverse Advanced for a Sustainable, Reservoir Water Water Water Filtration + Osmosis + Oxidation + + Treatment Supply Cost-Effective Water Purification Process DPR Water Supply This new path forward is very timely given the decline in traditional water Advanced Purified Water is on the Rise supply sources along with growing demand and the uncertainty of climate Using purified water for drinking is also began conducting a potable reuse change. not new. In California, advanced water demonstration and piloting effort in purification projects are currently September 2014 that is demonstrating The California DPR Initiative operating throughout the state. These highly purified water that can be used projects include: for various purposes, including expand- will provide information for ing future drinking water supplies. regulators, utilities, and Orange County Water District, communities as they consider the Groundwater Replenishment System City of San Diego — The city began implementation of potable reuse — Operational since January 2008, operating a one million gallon a day this state-of-the-art water purification Advanced Water Purification Facility in the State of California. project can produce up to 70 million (AWPF) in 2011. The project success- gallons of high-quality water every day. fully evaluated how purified water For communities that have limited The agency has been providing purified could be blended with imported and or no groundwater basins or limited recycled water for a seawater intrusion local water supplies in San Vicente reservoir augmentation options, DPR barrier since the mid-1970s. Reservoir before going to a drinking may be an additional approach to water treatment plant. The AWPF large-scale recycled water use. Other West Basin Municipal Water is open for tours and is testing factors include: District, Edward C. Little Water additional equipment for direct • Technologies to purify wastewater Recycling Facility — Operating since potable reuse research. are well established and proven 1995, the facility supplies 16.5 million