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Publication January 15, 2025

Layperson’s Guide to Water Recycling
Updated 2024

Layperson's Guide to Water Recycling

Cities across California and the Southwest are significantly increasing and diversifying their use of recycled wastewater as traditional water supplies grow tighter.

The 5th edition of our Layperson’s Guide to Water Recycling covers the latest trends and statistics on water reuse as a strategic defense against prolonged drought and climate change.

The 21-page guide is an easy-to-read primer on the history, methods, regulations and challenges of water recycling and its various uses – from boosting drinking water supplies to irrigating crops, generating electricity and improving wildlife habitat.

The publication is researched and written by the Foundation’s journalism team and reviewed by experts to provide a solid, impartial and balanced overview. 

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Referring Pages

Western Water December 19, 2023 Colorado River Basin Map Layperson's Guide to Water Recycling Western Water News: Colorado River shortages drive major advances in recycled sewage water use By Nick Cahill

Colorado River Shortages Drive Major Advances in Recycled Sewage Water Use
WESTERN WATER NOTEBOOK: Phoenix, Southern California betting on purified sewage to fill drinking water needs

After more than two decades of drought, water utilities serving the largest urban regions in the arid Southwest are embracing a drought-proof source of drinking water long considered a supply of last resort: purified sewage.

Water supplies have tightened to the point that Phoenix and the water supplier for 19 million Southern California residents are racing to adopt an expensive technology called “direct potable reuse” or “advanced purification” to reduce their reliance on imported water from the dwindling Colorado River.

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Aquapedia background February 11, 2014 Layperson's Guide to Water Recycling Colorado River Shortages Drive Major Advances in Recycled Sewage Water Use

Recycled Water

Image shows samples of cleaned wastewater before and after reverse osmosis filtration at the Pure Water Southern California Demonstration Plant in Carson.All water is naturally recycled and reused as part of the hydrologic cycle. Recycled water is also produced by purifying wastewater for safe use in drinking (potable) water and for non-potable uses such as irrigation.

Recycling wastewater provides a new, costly but renewable water resource that can bolster local water supplies, save energy and reduce the amount of sewage treatment plant effluent emptied into rivers and oceans.

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Publication January 15, 2025
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This item appears in:
  • Topic: Acre Foot
  • Topic: Drinking Water
  • Topic: Legislation — California and Federal
  • Layperson's Guides
  • Topic: Regulations — California and Federal
  • Topic: California Water Plan
  • Topic: Pollution
  • Topic: Water History
  • Topic: Desalination
  • Topic: Grey water
  • Topic: Wastewater
  • Topic: Groundwater
  • Infrastructure
  • Topic: Water Quality
  • Topic: Growth
  • Topic: Surface Water
  • Topic: Water Recycling
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