1. What’s Next for Potable Reuse in California
What’s Next for Potable Reuse in California? Jennifer West WateReuse California February 8, 2017
This is an interesting time to be discussing this because the question of what DPR means in California is very much in flux.
Today I am going to discuss:
Regulatory Status of DPR
The CA DPR definition and its intersection with the SWA regs
Potable reuse around CA and the world
WRRF activites to support DPR
THe recent release of the DPR framework document
Public perception of DPR in CA.

2. Promotes responsible stewardship of California's water resources by maximizing the safe, practical and beneficial use of recycled water and by supporting the efforts of the of WateReuse Association.
But first a bit about WRCA. Here is our mission statement. We are all about maximizing the beneficial use RW in California.
This means RW for agriculture, commercial uses, landscape, habitat uses and much more and also for potable reuse, which I will talk about today.

3. California Potable Water Reuse Projects
PERMITTED GROUNDWATER (8)
Existing ≈ 200,000 AFY ∼ 1.6 M People

4. California Potable Water Reuse Projects
PERMITTED GROUNDWATER (8)
Existing ≈ 200,000 AFY ∼ 1.6 M People
PLANNED GROUNDWATER (17)
Planned ≈ 225,000 AFY ∼ 1.6 M People
PLANNED SURFACE WATER AUGMENTATION (4)
Planned ≈ 100,000 AFY ∼ 800,000 People

5. California Potable and Non-Potable Water Reuse Projects
PERMITTED GROUNDWATER (8)
Existing ≈ 200,000 AFY ∼ 1.6 M People
PLANNED GROUNDWATER (17)
Planned ≈ 225,000 AFY ∼ 1.6 M People
PLANNED SURFACE WATER AUGMENTATION (4)
Planned ≈ 100,000 AFY ∼ 800,000 People
NON-POTABLE WATER
RECYCLING PROJECTS (141)
Planned ≈ 300,000 AFY ∼ 2.4 M People

6. Planned Projects Total ≈ $5 BILLION
California Water Reuse Projects: Costs
POTABLE REUSE
Existing Projects (8) ≈ 200,000 AFY
Planned Projects (21) ≈ 325,000 AFY
Cost ≈ $2 billion
NON-POTABLE REUSE
Existing Projects ≈ 525,000 AFY
Planned Projects (141) ≈ 300,000 AFY
Cost ≈ $3 billion
Planned Projects Total ≈ $5 BILLION

7. CA Leading the “DPR” Future

8. Major CA DPR Milestone Reached
Release of legislative report “Investigation on the Feasibility of Developing Uniform Water Recycling Criteria for Direct Potable Reuse”
Huge water supply potential MAF for all potable reuse, including DPR
Legislative Report significant step in
DPR future for CA
Role of expert panel to “advise DDW on the public health issues and scientific and technical matters for this report.
SB 918 also had the requirement of SWA regs. be developed. Draft regualtions are out this month. Why talking about this in a DPR speech…?
The reservoir criteria in these regs may define the distinction between surface water augmentation and direct potable reuse

9. Will DDW Move Forward? Statute (SB 918) did not require DDW action!
No specific deadlines for action included in DPR implementation plan.
No DDW staff #s identified to complete research needs.

10. WRCA Concerns
Contains open ended recommendations in the Implementation Plan. Examples:
Monitoring raw wastewater
Source control
Identifying low molecular weight compounds in finished effluent. Problem for all drinking water systems
Final report states that DDW will refine recommendations, metrics and timelines.
Report living document-- but will DDW be accountable for outcomes?

11. 2017 Potable Reuse Legislation
WRCA and CA Coastkeepers Co-Sponsoring Legislation and budget action for 2017
Beginning of two-year legislative session
Budget committees have significant role in ensuring agencies are properly staffed.
Oversight Prop. 1 research funds

12. What’s In a Name? Defines “potable reuse” and subcategories
Potable reuse and “IPR” and “DPR” have been confusing and sometimes misleading.
DPR report to the Legislature acknowledges the different types of “Direct Potable Reuse”

13. §13561 of Water Code – new terms
Remove References to “direct” and “indirect” potable reuse
New Terms:
"Potable reuse" means the planned placement of municipal wastewater that has gone through multiple barrier treatment processes to produce or supplement a drinking water supply that has an equivalent level of public health protection as other sources of water supply permitted under the California Safe Drinking Water Act

14. §13561 of Water Code – Forms of Potable Reuse
"Potable reuse through groundwater augmentation"
"Potable reuse through reservoir augmentation"
"Potable reuse through raw water augmentation”
"Potable reuse through treated water augmentation"

15. §13561 of Water Code – Forms of Potable Reuse
"Potable reuse through groundwater augmentation" means the planned use of recycled water for replenishment of a groundwater basin or an aquifer that has been designated as the source of water supply for a public water system.
Groundwater Recharge: Surface Spreading (Article 5.1, Jun 2014)
Surface
Spreading
Extraction
well
Water
Consumers
2ndry Treatment
Tertiary Treatment
Chlorination
Groundwater
Aquifer
The second option for Groundwater replenishment (shown below) is subsurface injection. Here the water receives much more aggressive treatment (including reverse osmosis) and is then injected directly into the groundwater aquifer via an injection well. Once again, after a certain amount of time, it becomes water of the state
Groundwater Recharge: Subsurface Injection (Article 5.2, Jun 2014)
Injection
well
Water
Consumers
Extraction
well
2ndry Treatment
Full
Advanced
Treatment
Groundwater
Aquifer
Chlorination

16. §13561 of Water Code – Forms of Potable Reuse
"Potable reuse through reservoir augmentation" means the planned placement of recycled water into a raw surface water reservoir used as a source of domestic drinking water supply for a public water system…..

17. §13561 of Water Code – Forms of Potable Reuse
"Potable reuse through raw water augmentation" means the planned placement of recycled water into a raw or untreated water distribution system serving a public water system…

18. §13561 of Water Code – Forms of Potable Reuse
"Potable reuse through treated water augmentation" means the planned introduction of recycled water into the treated water distribution system of a public water system…

19. Requires Potable Reuse Framework
By June 2018 SWRCB will establish a framework for potable reuse projects –similar to requirement in DPR report. Will include:
Schedule for completing “DPR research”
A regulatory framework for potable reuse projects that will be protective of public health.
Timeline for updating surface water regs., as necessary.
Declaration of existing authority to permit projects on a case-by-case basis before reg. are adopted.

20. Creates Statutory Deadline
Requires adoption of statewide regulations for “Potable reuse for raw water augmentation” by Dec.31, 2021.
Allows one year extension via state board finding.
More time than 12 months requires convening an expert panel to make new recommended completion date.

21. Conclusions

22. “DPR Report” to the Legislature was major water supply milestone for CA.
Deadlines, staff and specific research objectives needed to realize the full potential of the report and potable reuse for CA.
Legislation will be introduced this year to help California continue its momentum.

23. Contact Information: Jennifer West WateReuse California (916)