Wednesday, August 16, 2017

California Assembly Bill 574 would authorize “Toilet to Tap”

Direct Potable Reuse would have effect on water prices for the golf industry

AB-574 was recently introduced to the California Assembly by Hayward Democrat Bill Quirk. The bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board to develop regulations in four years for direct potable reuse (DPR).

DPR is a process in which purified water, created from treated wastewater, is introduced directly into a municipal water supply system. Essentially “Toilet to Tap”.

DPR is a three-step process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. It requires advanced technology and highly trained engineers to complete the treatment process. DPR must meet or exceed all federal and state drinking water standards.

While DPR has a stigma attached to it for obvious reasons, the California public is showing signs that it would be more receptive to the process as the state will continue to face uncertain water supplies in the future.

So what does DPR have to do with the golf industry? To put it simply, “all water becomes water.” No longer will there be a line between recycled and potable sources.

Recycled water, long hailed as a savior to the golf industry (and rightfully so) will slowly transition out. Purple pipe will stop being constructed in favor of DPR and the golf industry will end up fighting other interests for this water, many of which can claim a better public use for it.

Additionally, recycled water use was a tool for the golf industry to counter environmentalists who believe that using potable water to irrigate courses is a waste of natural resources. DPR throws that argument out the window.

While the costs of DPR appear to be slightly less than imported water sources, it promises to be more expensive than the recycled water that approximately one-third of California’s nearly 900 golf courses receive now. This all comes at a time when many courses are struggling to keep their doors open.

While this technology promises a reliable source of water for a state that will continue to see an increase in population, it will present a series of challenges for the golf industry that will need to be addressed.

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