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California’s New Regulations: Reclaiming Wastewater for Drinking Water
California approves groundbreaking regulations to reclaim wastewater for drinking water, ensuring a reliable and sustainable water future.
Last Updated on September 7, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Reclaiming Wastewater for Drinking
California is taking a significant step towards securing its water future with new regulations that allow for the reclamation of wastewater for normal home uses, including drinking water. The state Water Resources Control Board recently approved these regulations, marking a groundbreaking development in water management.
The concept behind the regulations is known as Direct Potable Reuse (DPR), which involves treating and purifying wastewater from toilets and showers to a level where it meets the highest drinking water standards. This reclaimed water would then be reintroduced into the drinking water system, providing a reliable source of water even during droughts.
Darrin Polhemus, the division of drinking water director with the State Water Resources Control Board, emphasized the significance of this approval, stating that the resulting water would be of the highest quality in the state. The process of DPR includes multiple stages of treatment, such as activated carbon filters, reverse-osmosis membranes, and UV light disinfection, ensuring the removal of pathogens and viruses.
By implementing these regulations, California aims to increase its water resilience and reduce reliance on imported water. Currently, most of the state’s wastewater is reused for agricultural purposes, outdoor irrigation, or replenishing aquifers. However, utilizing treated wastewater for direct potable reuse presents a new opportunity to further augment water supplies.
The new regulations are expected to provide a boost of up to 15% to each agency that adopts DPR. Moreover, they align with Governor Gavin Newsom’s vision of increasing recycled water use by 9% by 2030 and more than doubling it by 2040.
While the regulations have been approved by the board, they still need to undergo further review before local water agencies can vote on their implementation. The process will include public engagement, education, and obtaining public consent.
California’s initiative to embrace direct potable reuse follows in the footsteps of Colorado, making it the second state to adopt this approach. By harnessing the potential of wastewater reclamation, California is paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient water future, ensuring a reliable water supply for its residents even in times of water scarcity.
Source: CBS News 13 Sacramento
