18/03/2016
The severity and impact of the drought remains top-of-mind among Californians. They are eager for long-term solutions that can help the state to achieve a water-secure future. According to a statewide survey released today by Xylem Inc, California residents are overwhelmingly supportive of using treated wastewater, or recycled water, in their everyday lives. The survey found that 76% of respondents believe recycled water should be used as a long-term solution for managing water resources, regardless of whether or not a water shortage continues.
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| A security guard walks the perimeter of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014, in San Jose, California. One year later, the California drought has only gotten worse |
Nearly half, or 49% of respondents, are very supportive of using recycled water as an additional local water supply and another 38% are somewhat supportive. The survey defined recycled water as former wastewater that has been treated and purified so that it can be reused for drinking purposes. Of survey respondents, 42% are very willing to use recycled water in their everyday lives and an additional 41% are somewhat willing. These findings confirm that there is a significant number of Californians who support the use of recycled water.
Based on experts’s evaluation, the state has the opportunity to champion a flexible framework that recognizes the unique needs of local communities as they work to establish water resource strategies that include sustainable solutions, such as recycled water.
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