CITY OF SAN JOSÉ
literally. The city runs the largest tertiary treatment facility west of the Mississippi, discharging into just a few feet of water, meaning what it produces has to be exceptionally clean. It’s a mission that has many moving parts and represents what can be achieved if collective minds are willing. “We are now diverting about 20 million gallons a day into our South Bay Water Recycling system,” enthuses Kerrie. “It has become one of the state's largest recycled water systems, and we're looking to continue expanding it in order to supply all the large parks, schools and golf courses in the community. Getting those big hitters not to use portable water is a key initiative.” San José’s recycled water operation has also been boosted by the sustainability vibe sweeping through the city – to such an extent that it no longer has to be subsidised and is, essentially, ‘running on its own’, which is very rare for such a system. Kerrie and her team are hoping for an expansion soon as the current operation has been so popular it is oversubscribed. From a wastewater standpoint, San José is looking to hit the ultimate home run of powering itself. “We are now about 65% selfpowered and, in the next 5-6 years, we'll get to 100%. It’s vitally important that we're using all of our own systems efficiently and also installing systems to power ourselves.”
“ BY BEING A RESIDENT OF SAN JOSÉ, YOU HAVE TO BE ACTING SUSTAINABLY AT ALL TIMES. OTHERWISE, SOMEONE'S GOING TO CALL YOU OUT!” KERRIE ROMANOW
CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, CITY OF SAN JOSÉ
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