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.
Body
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 fully executed. The Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) to reserve space for the full-scale facility has been approved by the Cities and Valley Water and is routing for execution.
A Joint Recycled Water Policy Advisory Committee (JRWPAC) meeting was held on April 16, 2026. Committee members continue to support the Pure Water Silicon Valley project and expressed interest in meeting in the fall to receive updates on the project, discuss outreach, and grant funding.
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. In March, the team held a workshop on Reverse Osmosis Concentrate management to further develop options for managing this waste stream.
The procurement for design services for the DPR Demonstration Facility is ongoing, with Board approval anticipated in June.
Coordination with regulatory agencies is ongoing with monthly meetings with the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and a meeting in early March with the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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 a construction grant.
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 - As of April 2026, 1,352 visitors toured the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC). This includes public tours, youth tours, and private tours with local businesses, elected officials, and other interest holders. For example, we hosted SJSU nursing students on a tour through our collaboration with the County Department of Public Health. Members of the public can find the public tour schedule 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 - As of April 2026, 1,713 purified water bottles have been distributed in FY2026, including during tours and employee and community events.
• The Water We Share Lesson - The Water We Share lesson continues to be provided to Santa Clara County students through in-class presentations and school assemblies. The 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
Staff continued to collaborate with the project partners, the City of San Jose and City of Santa Clara, on outreach efforts. On April 19, 2026, we were invited by the City of Santa Clara to participate in the STEM Zone event, which drew nearly 8,500 attendees. Staff will continue to meet regularly with partner agencies to identify and implement collaborative outreach opportunities.
Learning Center Development
As part of the Pure Water Silicon Valley Project, staff continue to work on developing the Learning Center to accompany the DPR demonstration facility. Staff continues 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