DRINKING RECYCLED SEWAGE
Silicon Valley mayors to expand use of recycled wastewater
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Silicon Valley leaders want to convince residents that filtered, cleaned and disinfected sewage water is a safe supply that should be tapped during California’s historic drought.
The San Jose Mercury News reports that the mayors of San Jose and Santa Clara drank such recycled water for the cameras Monday.
The photo opportunity garnered attention for a planned $800 million expansion of recycled water in Santa Clara County over the next 10 years.
Cities there have used recycled water since 1997 for irrigation, landscaping and other nondrinking uses.
Now, the local water district wants to use recycled water to meet 20 percent of the county’s demand by 2025. That would include mixing it with groundwater and using it as drinking water.
