Water Reclamation Criticism

Re “Sewer Water Reclamation Plan Comes Under Fire,” June 6.

People irresponsibly use the term “toilet to tap water” to describe the Tillman recycled water project. It mischaracterizes the project and implies that its safety is in question. Moreover, Councilman Joel Wachs compounds the misrepresentation by implying that he has not been properly informed on the matter.

Sadly, this is a disservice to all Angelenos. We are in need of the water, and the extensive filtration process has been pronounced safe by the responsible state and county health agencies. Recycled water has been used safely in other locations for many years.

How can the councilman claim not to have been properly informed? He was a member of the council that approved the settlement of the Mono Lake case, which specifically included this project as a means of replacing 35,000 acre-feet of the water lost to the lake and obtained over $37 million from the federal and state governments to pay for this project.

If readers have concern as to safety, the Department of Water and Power is holding hearings in June and July, and we strongly suggest that they attend the hearings.

DAVID J. OLIPHANT

President

Water and Power Associates