About SVAWPC
Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center
It’s not news that our natural resources are strained. Climate change impacts and increased development are some of the challenges we face in protecting our environment. That’s why it’s critical to find sustainable ways to balance our urban demands with preserving and protecting our natural resources.
Valley Water and local partners are working to protect and secure our future by ensuring a safe, clean and reliable supply of water to sustain Silicon Valley and our way of life. By investing in water reuse, Valley Water is protecting our water supply resources from threats such as extreme droughts and aging infrastructure. Water reuse is the practice of capturing, cleaning and recycling water for a variety of uses, including drinking. The Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, the largest advanced water purification facility in Northern California, is producing a locally developed, new supply of water – advanced purified water. Through globally proven technologies, the purification center provides a drought-resilient source that can ensure Silicon Valley has safe, sustainable water now and into the future.
State-of-the-art facility
The state-of-the-art facility takes treated wastewater that would be otherwise discharged into the San Francisco Bay and purifies it by using three proven purification processes: microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light disinfection. With the addition of advanced oxidation, water produced at the purification center meets California’s drinking water standards, including all potable reuse regulations for groundwater replenishment. The multi-million dollar purification center is a partnership between Valley Water, the San José- Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility, and the cities of San José and Santa Clara.
The purified water produced is blended with the existing recycled water supply produced at the neighboring San José -Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility to enhance its quality and expand its usage. Valley Water is also evaluating opportunities to expand existing recycled water systems and purified water reuse to boost our drinking water supply. In collaboration with municipalities and local water providers, Valley Water developed a Countywide Water Reuse Master Plan, which lays the blueprint for regional water reuse and expanded purified water projects.