Frequently Asked Questions

To help provide a solid foundation for solutions that can help sustain our natural resources, water reuse and desalination facts and terminology have been provided. By understanding the facts and the terminology along with the existing misconceptions, one can begin to understand the needs and benefits of
water reuse and desalination.

Can Santa Clara County exist on its current water supply?: No. The Santa Clara Valley Water District imports 55% of its water from the Sierra snowpack. The rising cost of imported water, recurring drought, climate change and population growth means that the need for a local water supply is crucial to Santa Clara County’s future water needs.
Can’t we just conserve more water and not have to drink purified water?: The water district has aggressive plans to conserve more water; however, conservation alone is not enough to meet our current future water needs. Purified water is a reliable and locally controlled water supply that meets and exceeds all California primary and secondary drinking water standards. Purified water not only helps protect the region’s groundwater supplies but, more importantly, it can help us ensure that we can sustain our thriving economy and way of life.