1. Pure Water Silicon Valley is advancing toward a potential 24,000-acre-foot-per-year supply by 2035. The committee reviewed the direct potable reuse project, a partnership among Valley Water and the cities of San Jose and Santa Clara. The planned full-scale facility would deliver up to 24,000 acre-feet of purified water annually. Design of the demonstration facility’s pilot treatment system is expected in April 2027. Staff described the schedule as accelerated for a project of this kind.
2. Polling shows an opportunity to build support through education. In a June 2026 survey of 600 Santa Clara County adults, 41% supported and 39% opposed the general idea of adding purified recycled water to the drinking supply. After a brief description of Pure Water Silicon Valley, 52% supported the project. Support reached 58% after further information about its benefits, safety and cost, and stood at 50% after an opposition statement. Messages about drought resilience, successful projects elsewhere and removal of contaminants were among the most persuasive.
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