Recycled Wastewater Approved for Human Consumption in California

In much of the western United States, drought and access to fresh water is a critical issue. However, recently California came up with a novel solution. To increase the supply of fresh water, the state approved regulations that allow agencies to purify wastewater for drinking. This recycled wastewater may be consumed in homes, schools, and businesses.

As the population in California has exploded in recent decades, the state has struggled to meet demands for fresh water. Recycled wastewater will allow the state to increase access to the precious resource. 

Recycled wastewater is not new to the state. It has previously been used in hockey rinks, for crops, and to generate artificial snow. But now, water agencies will have the option to put recycled wastewater back into pipes for drinking. 

California is only the second state to allow purified wastewater to be consumed. The first was Colorado in 2022.

While the idea of drinking recycled wastewater may be off-putting, regulators spent more than a decade developing rules and regulations for the practice. Independent panels of scientists also reviewed the state’s rules around recycled wastewater consumption. All water will be treated for pathogens and viruses before being available for consumption.

So far, the state’s plan has been met with approval from large water agencies. Many of them have plans to construct wastewater recycling plans over the next few years. In Southern California, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has set a goal aiming to produce 150 million gallons of direct and indirect recycled water per day. This water will be in the pipes of the 19 million people throughout the six counties that the agency serves. 

Officials are aware that a certain amount of public convincing may still be necessary. However, they remain optimistic about the future of the project, reminding consumers that the water is safe, helps drought-proof the state, and that recycled water is already in use in California. 

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