What is Potable Reuse?

Potable means drinkable, or safe to drink.

Potable reuse is the planned introduction of purified water either directly or indirectly into a water system for future drinking water purposes. Scientists and public health professionals have been working for decades to ensure safe processes that are routinely monitored and there are many potable reuse projects across California and the United States.

CAPP Potable Reuse

For CAPP, purified recycled water would be produced at the Advanced Water Purification Facility using proven, multi-barrier processes including membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet/advanced oxidation resulting in water that is pure to replenish the groundwater basin.

Replenishing the groundwater basin with water that can be used for drinking purposes, also known as “indirect potable reuse,” will not only assist in supplementing the local water supply but is also safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The Advanced Purification Process showing the stages of treatment followed by groundwater injection.

Terms and Definitions

The WateReuse Association glossary is a great resource for terms and definitions related to water purification and other water recycling topics.