Estremera: Moving forward on purified water

The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a leader in water innovation in the region. Over the past decade, the center has provided purified water to enhance recycled water quality for non-potable uses such as irrigation and cooling towers.

Looking ahead, Valley Water is focused on expanding purified water for drinking. In the face of growing water challenges caused by climate change, local partnerships will be crucial to the success of purified drinking water.

I recently joined the mayors of San Jose and Santa Clara to mark the anniversary. Our collaboration is essential as Valley Water plans to build a new purified water facility in the coming years, further enhancing the region’s water security and resilience. We are committed to working together to create new infrastructure to secure a sustainable water future.

We are also excited to have participated in developing California’s direct potable reuse regulations, which will go into effect in October. The new rules will provide us with new ways to use purified water for drinking in Santa Clara County.

In 2023, the Santa Clara County Medical Association endorsed the purified water project as a safe and healthy option to add to our water supply. After an extensive review process by the Division of Drinking Water and California Department of Public Health, we are now bottling purified water for every tour attendee to try.

Residents can sample the center’s purified water, which uses advanced treatment processes such as microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light disinfection. The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center is committed to raising public awareness about the safety and quality of purified water and its potential as a sustainable drinking water source for the community.

Our ability to bottle and share our purified water with the public for outreach purposes is an exciting milestone highlighting our dedication to providing sustainable water solutions.

As the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center enters its second decade of operation, Valley Water remains dedicated to delivering innovative and sustainable water solutions that meet the community’s current and future needs.

Tony Estremera is the District 2 representative on the Valley Water board of directors.