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, Grants, and Ongoing Outreach.
End
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;
B. Grants; and
C. Ongoing Outreach
Body
SUMMARY:
Pure Water Silicon Valley advances a locally controlled, climate-resilient water supply and supports Valley Water’s long-term reliability and sustainability objectives.
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.
City and Valley Water staff held a facilitated Reverse Osmosis Concentrate management workshop to develop a win-win approach and will further develop this approach in the next few months.
Agreements: The staff funding agreements were amended and the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) to reserve space for the full-scale facility was fully executed.
Design: AECOM Technical Services was given notice to proceed on the Demonstration Facility Project and has provided a workplan and schedule for review.
Regulatory coordination: Coordination with regulatory agencies is ongoing with monthly meetings with the Division of Drinking Water (DDW). Several documents that are required for permitting were submitted to DDW for review.
Collaboration: As the only ongoing DPR project in Northern California, Valley Water staff spoke on several panels and presented on our progress at the recent California Water Reuse Conference. In addition, staff is working with Moulton Niguel Water District on a partnership agreement. A workshop on potential partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is being scheduled.
B. Grants:
Valley Water and City staff are also coordinating on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) grant funded feasibility study, which, once completed, will make the project eligible for construction grants. Government Relations staff will provide a verbal update on state and federal grant opportunities.
C. 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:
• Internal Outreach
o As part of our ongoing efforts to reach our internal employees, staff hosted a tour for the summer interns during the Summer Intern Fun Bus event on July 16.
• External Outreach - In July and August, staff led several targeted outreach initiatives, which include the following:
o On July 7, staff hosted a private tour for the City of San Jose’s Environmental Services Department leadership team. In addition to touring the facility, guests received a presentation from the City of San Jose’s Deputy Director Eric Dunlavey and Valley Water staff on the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project and the importance of aligning both agencies’ support.
o On July 9, staff provided a private tour for staff from the West Valley Stormwater Authority, including members of their outreach program.
o On July 14, staff provided a tour for youth from Independence High School.
o On July 14, staff provided a private tour for members of the Estuary Youth Council.
o On July 15, staff hosted a private tour for Assemblymember Alex Lee’s Young Legislators Program. Vice Chair Santos provided opening remarks, and participants engaged in discussion with Assistant Officer Joshua Golka.
o On July 24, staff provided a private tour for university students from Evergreen Valley College.
o On July 29, staff hosted a private tour for members of the San Jose Conservation Corps.
• Purified Water Tour Program - In July and August 2026, 204 visitors toured the SVAWPC, which includes public and private tours. Information about public and private tours is available on the PureWater4U.org website. Public tours are typically held on the first Friday and second Saturday of each month.
• Demonstration Water Bottle Distribution - As of September 2026, 3,440 purified water bottles have been distributed during tours and employee and community events in calendar year 2026. Bottles have also been provided to partner agencies to support regional collaboration, outreach and education efforts, helping expand the reach of purified water messaging beyond Valley Water events.
• Public Perception Poll - On August 12, staff and consultants from EMC presented an executive overview of the public perception poll results to the Interim CEO, Chiefs, and stakeholders from across multiple units. Staff received feedback to inform next steps.
• The Water We Share Lesson - Valley Water continues to provide the Water We Share Lesson to Santa Clara County students through in-class presentations and during youth tours. The lesson provides education on purified water and engages students in an activity to create posters promoting purified water.
• WateReuse California Conference and Award - On August 24-27, staff attended the WateReuse California conference, where Valley Water received the Recycled Water Outreach or Education Program of the Year award. Staff also presented sessions at the conference about youth engagement strategies and bottling purified water for public outreach and education.
Outreach Coordination in Santa Clara County and the Bay Area
Staff continues to meet and collaborate with water utilities on water reuse.
On August 28, 2026, staff met with a management analyst from the City of Santa Clara to share an overview of the public perception poll results. Staff also met with the public information manager from the City of San Jose to discuss opportunities for collaboration in outreach. Staff will continue to meet regularly with partner agencies to identify and implement outreach opportunities.
Learning Center Development
As part of the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project, staff continues to work on the final Request for Proposal to solicit exhibit design consultants to develop educational exhibits on water reuse that will help build acceptance and public support for purified recycled water.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Kirsten Struve, 408-630-3138