CA:San Jose:15656

From StimulusWatch.org

[edit] General Description

Recycled Water Facilities are investments in the long-term health of an areas water resources. Effluent can generally be sold for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation or aquifer recharge. If the plant has energy efficiency measures, as well as potential for renewable energy (eg. solar panels), the plant can eventually pay for itself and be budget-neutral.

Aquifer drain is a serious problem that faces many communities around the country. By using recycled water instead of well water or water treated to drinking water standards, the health of the local water ecosystem can be maintained. It requires the use of fewer virgin water sources to serve the same area, which leaves better quality water for future generations.

[edit] Points in Favor

1. Besides creating jobs in the short term, the plant will employ operators, technicians, maintenance people, and administrative staff in the future.

2. Recycled water is a great resource for any community to use for non-potable needs such as irrigation of golf courses or parks.

3. Using recycled water reduces the strain on the environment and the aquifer.

4. Protecting the health of the aquifer prevents dangerous, costly events such as subsidence, and the need to drill deeper, more expensive wells.

5. Only 2% of water is actually consumed by humans and treating to drinking water standards is very expensive (most is used for irrigation and household uses like toilets and washing machines)

[edit] Points Against

1. Recycled water currently has limited uses, such as irrigation, groundwater recharge, and non-potable household use (eg toilets and washing machines). It cannot legally be used for drinking water purposes.