About SVAWPC
Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center
It’s not news that our natural resources are strained. Climate change impacts and increased development are some of the challenges we face in protecting our environment. That’s why it’s critical to find sustainable ways to balance our urban demands with preserving and protecting our natural resources.
The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC) is a partnership between Valley Water and the Cities of San José and Santa Clara, who co-own the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). The RWF treats approximately 110 million gallons per day of wastewater from 1.4 million residents and over 17,000 businesses in Santa Clara County. The SVAWPC receives treated wastewater from the RWF, which delivers up to 8 million gallons per day of source water to the SVAWPC. The SVAWPC purifies this water using advanced treatment technologies; the purified water is then blended with the existing water supply produced by the RWF to enhance water quality and expand its use.
These partners are currently developing an even further advanced future project which will be called Pure Water Silicon Valley and will include a new state-of-the-art demonstration facility.
The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, the largest advanced water purification facility in Northern California, is producing a locally developed, new supply of water – advanced purified water. Through globally proven technologies, the purification center provides a drought-resilient source that can ensure Silicon Valley has safe, sustainable water now and into the future.
State-of-the-art facility
The state-of-the-art facility takes treated wastewater that would be otherwise discharged into the San Francisco Bay and purifies it by using three proven purification processes: microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light disinfection. With the addition of advanced oxidation, water produced at the purification center meets California’s drinking water standards, including all potable reuse regulations for groundwater replenishment. The multi-million dollar purification center is a partnership between Valley Water, the San José- Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility, and the cities of San José and Santa Clara.
The purified water produced is blended with the existing recycled water supply produced at the neighboring San José -Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility to enhance its quality and expand its usage. Valley Water is also evaluating opportunities to expand existing recycled water systems and purified water reuse to boost our drinking water supply. In collaboration with municipalities and local water providers, Valley Water developed a Countywide Water Reuse Master Plan, which lays the blueprint for regional water reuse and expanded purified water projects.