COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Recycled Water Committee
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Receive Pure Water Silicon Valley Update, Including Demonstration Facility and Full-Scale Direct Potable Reuse Facility at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center; and Ongoing Outreach.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Receive an update on Pure Water Silicon Valley, including the following topics:
A. Demonstration Facility and Full-Scale Direct Potable Reuse Facility at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center; and
B. Ongoing Outreach
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SUMMARY:
A. Update on Demonstration Facility and Full-Scale Direct Potable Reuse Facility at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and the Cities of San Jose and Santa Clara (Cities) continue to meet on a regular basis to work on various elements of the Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) Demonstration facility.
The Option Agreement approved by the Valley Water Board and the City Councils in June 2025 has been signed by Valley Water and is routing with our partners. The project team continues to develop the charter, which provides a framework for the development of the full-scale facility agreements and is beginning to develop terms for full-scale agreements. The Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) to reserve space for the full-scale facility was approved at the February 24, 2026, Board meeting. San José and Santa Clara staff are scheduling needed approvals of the ENA. The Treatment Plant Advisory Committee will hear the item in March followed by San José Council approval.
The procurement for design services for the DPR Demonstration Facility is ongoing as is coordination with the Division of Drinking Water.
Valley Water and City staff are also coordinating on the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) grant-funded feasibility study, which, once completed, will make the project eligible for construction grant funding.
B. Ongoing Outreach
General Purified Water Outreach
Staff continues to conduct tours of the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC) and implement outreach initiatives to build support for potable reuse, which include:
• Purified Water Tour Program - In February, 80 visitors toured the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC). This includes two public tours and two youth tours. Members of the public can find the schedule of public tours and request private tours on the PureWater4U.org website. Public tours are typically held on the first Friday and second Saturday of each month.
• Demonstration Water Bottle Distribution - Over 95 purified water bottles were distributed in February, which included distribution at Valley Water’s Landscape Summit.
• The Water We Share Lesson - In February, staff participated in the American Society of Civil Engineers Young Members Forum Engineers Week, facilitating The Water We Share lesson for high school students. The Water We Share lesson provides education on purified water and engages students in an activity to create posters promoting purified water.
Outreach Coordination in Santa Clara County and the Bay Area
In February, staff continued to collaborate with the project partners, the City of San José and City of Santa Clara, on outreach efforts. Staff will continue to meet regularly with partner agencies to identify and implement collaborative outreach opportunities.
Additionally, in February, staff presented at East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Water Wednesday Webinar Series on the topic of “Coming Clean: Advanced Purified Water in the Bay Area.”
Learning Center Development
As part of the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project, staff continue to work on the development of the Learning Center to accompany the DPR demonstration facility. In February, staff continued to work on a draft Request for Proposals for an exhibit designer for the Learning Center.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Kirsten Struve, 408-630-3138