"Toilet-to-tap" water gains steam in Calif. amid drought
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. 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, CBS San Francisco reports.
"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 recycled wastewater. Liccardo also called on Brown to ease restrictions on its use.
Currently, Santa Clara County's wastewater recycling plant produces more than eight 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 members of the public who 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," he said. "And we're going to test."