Gov. Brown in San Jose to Discuss Water-Saving Plan

California Governor Jerry Brown came to San Jose on Friday to show his support for a plan to get recycled water into residents’ drinking glasses quicker.

Brown stopped in the South Bay to meet with several Bay Area mayors to discuss one thing: how to save more water.

“We can capture storm water and rain water in ways we aren’t doing yet,” Brown said. “We can bring down the cost of desalinization.”

Last summer, the Silicon Valley Water Purification Center opened in San Jose. Inside, wastewater is purified to state drinking water standards. But, until the California Environmental Quality Act grants legal approval, the water can only be used for landscaping.

“The governor’s office has been very helpful in crafting language that we hope the legislature will support,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said.

Liccardo and other local leaders said they’d like state leaders to cut through the red tape and give the green light to use recycled drinking water.

“Allow us to streamline the process so we don’t have to wait two years through a process when we’re ready to turn a tap today,” Liccardo said.

If passed, Trailer Bill 831 would waive environmental studies for water projects allowing the purification center to expand and pump millions of gallons into local reservoirs.

The plan has the governor’s backing.

Contact Us