Orange County - recycled water can't be used for drinking ...

Excerpt from the Orange County Register:

Council hears environmental impact of $74 million recycled water plan

17 October 2007

The City Council Tuesday approved an environmental plan detailing an overhaul of the city's water delivery system to make way for a new treatment plant as part of an ambitious $74 million recycled water plan, despite concern from some residents about the cost and impact of the work.

The plan calls for the rehabilitation of two city wells, the construction of four storage reservoirs, two booster pump stations and seven pressure regulating stations and the installation of 190,000 feet of pipe. The new components would deliver recycled water from a proposed advanced treatment plant at J.B. Latham in Dana Point.

While officials say the recycled water plan would help reduce the city's reliance on imported water, several planning commissioners and residents have questioned the cost of the system, as well as the construction impact of some of its components.

The current environmental report addresses the overall project, with the design of its most controversial aspects, the reservoirs, expected to be brought back before the council prior to construction, staff said. The environmental report is expected to help the city go after state and federal grants for the recycled water plan, staff said.

The most heated debate centers around a proposed reservoir targeted for a ridge in the city's open space lands south of Cerro Rebal, which nearby residents describe as unstable and prone to landslides. Environmental experts hired by the city have found no safety concerns in the area.

Other residents urged the city to take part in South Coast Water District efforts to construct a desalinization plant, although city officials said the recycled water would be a cheaper option that could deliver more water.

While it couldn't be used for drinking water, recycled water could be used for landscaping purposes, officials said.

"We have a nice green city," Councilman Tom Hribar said. "Recycled water would allow us to keep it green."
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See - OC says recycled water can't be used for drinking.