The Sept. 27 article on page 1 of the Peninsula Beacon, “City eyes Stage 2 Water Emergency,” by Sebastian Ruiz was excellent. The Revolting Grandmas have been concerned about San Diego’s water issues for years. We offer the following comments garnered from our many years of involvement and research:
A common-sense approach to water reclamation: In the opinion of Revolting Grandmas, it might be more productive, prudent and “water wise” if the city of San Diego’s elected officials, the incorporated cities within San Diego County, the county Board of Supervisors, community planning groups and the myriad water districts and/or agencies in San Diego County would ban together in an effort to overturn the federal judge’s decision with regard to saving the tiny delta smelt, which, in effect, would cut off Southern California’s water supply from the north and let the citizenry of Southern California dehydrate.
The public at large spoke loud, clear and overwhelmingly in 1999 that water re-purification (toilet-to-tap) was not acceptable for drinking water. Moreover, in the Grandmas’ opinion, less than 25 percent of the water used in cities needs to be of drinking water quality. Reclamation for purposes such as urban irrigation, vehicle washing, toilet flushing, air conditioning, construction, industry, fire protection and environmental enhancement substitutes for fresh water traditionally used for such purposes. Many such systems are now operating successfully in California and elsewhere in the United States. Most systems have to be retrofitted, which is more costly than installing reclaimed water lines in new areas as they are being developed and/or redeveloped.
In Irvine, all new areas are obliged to be served with both potable (for drinking) and non-potable (reclaimed water) water distribution systems, and high-rise buildings are required to provide reclaimed water for toilet flushing and air conditioning. Furthermore, the treatment is conventional and considerably lower in cost than making reclaimed water acceptable for drinking.
San Jose and Santa Clara had to reduce wastewater discharges into San Francisco Bay. They installed a large reclaimed water distribution system and signed up customers who wanted to be drought proof. Water reclamation is a viable option. However, the reclaimed water need not be a part of our drinking water supply.