How Safe Is Purified Water?

Through the three steps of the advanced purification process, the purification center produces high-quality water that with advanced oxidation is safe enough to drink. Established as a demonstration and research facility, water produced at the purification center has undergone a number of evaluations and studies, including more than 4,000 water quality tests to screen for pathogens, contaminants, and pharmaceuticals. Upon its opening, Valley Water carried out a potable reuse demonstration test plan over the course of 15 months. The test plan pushed the operational limits of each of the purification steps (i.e. microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection). This was known as challenge testing, to see if each treatment process could still perform properly and produce quality results under extreme conditions. The results and data collected from the test plan demonstrate and verify the purification center is effective in removing contaminants that require constant monitoring according to state water reuse regulations. These include:

  1. Industrial chemicals,
  2. Pharmaceuticals,
  3. Personal care products, and
  4. Biological pathogens, which are microorganisms that can cause illness (e.g., viruses, bacteria, and protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium)

 

The purified water produced by the purification center is not currently used for drinking, but instead is blended with tertiary-treated recycled water and used for a variety of non-potable purposes such as landscaping, agriculture and industry. By demonstrating we can produce purified water that is safe to drink, the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center helps pave the way to potable reuse in Santa Clara County.

How safe is purified water

Potable Reuse Demonstration Test Plan 

  1. Provide systems monitoring and water quality information on the efficacy of the purification center during its first two years of operation, and
  2. Demonstrate that purified water produced at the purification center meets California potable reuse regulations, including all California Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards.
  • KEY RESULTS

  • Excellent Performance

    All purification processes at the SVAWPC exhibited excellent performance with removal of pathogens and contaminants of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors.

  • Pathogens & Contaminants Removal

    New ways of monitoring were proven to accurately verify the removal of pathogens and contaminants.

  • Meets Drinking Water Standards

    Purified water produced by the SVAWPC with advanced oxidation meets or exceeds all California drinking water standards, including all potable reuse regulations for groundwater replenishment

  • Ensure Highest Quality

    Critical Control Points, which are parameters that will ensure highest water quality, were identified.

  • Valuable Understanding

    Staff gained valuable understanding of what design, operational, and monitoring changes will be important for the future production of purified water at the SVAWPC.

The data collected proves Valley Water is able to consistently and reliability produce clean, safe drinking water from treated secondary wastewater. These results are important for carrying out projects and efforts related to water reuse for drinking. An Independent Advisory Panel (comprised of six internationally known experts) reviewed and verified the planning and execution of the Test Plan, including the results. The panel found the test plan and results met industry standards for demonstrating the ability to produce purified water for drinking.

Ongoing Monitoring at the Purification Center

Valley Water will use monitoring practices from the test plan to support future water reuse efforts. The water quality laboratory is state-certified and adheres to a rigorous quality control program. The lab will be critical to ensuring purified water produced at the purification center is analyzed and produced to the highest possible water quality standards. Valley Water’s lab monitors for more than 400 contaminants and is continuously developing new test methods, using the best available technology for contaminants of emerging concern.