Governor Brown Signals Support For ‘Toilet-To-Tap’ Water Amid State’s Historic Drought

Devin Fehely
May 21, 2015
CBS SF Bay Area

SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) — Governor Jerry Brown signaled his support for more aggressive water-saving measures Thursday in the face of the state’s historic drought, including a controversial plan to use recycled wastewater to replenish the drinking water supply.

“I know people don’t like ‘toilet to tap.’ but it is memorable. It is memorable,” Brown said as he spoke to political and business leaders.

Just last month, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo demonstrated his faith in the technology by drinking the recycled wastewater.  Liccardo also called on the Brown to ease restrictions on its use.

Currently, Santa Clara County’s wastewater recycling plant produces more than 8-million gallons of water a day, enough in theory to provide water to more than 17,000 homes.

There are plans to quadruple that plant’s capacity, even though the recycled water now is only used for irrigation and manufacturing.

The governor did try to reassure the public which may be reluctant to embrace the toilet to tap concept, even amid an unrelenting drought.

“Don’t worry, it’s not going to happen overnight. And we’re going to test.”