Recycled Water - In My Food? : Whitley Burchett

Recycled Water In My Food?
Feasibility Of Recycled Water For Agricultural Uses In Fresno County

(Presented at the CWEA Annual Conference
Fresno, CA, April 2004)

Anita Jain: Whitley, Burchett & Associates
David Michel: Selma-Kingsburg-Fowler County Sanitation District
Randy McFarland: J. Randall McFarland Communications

ABSTRACT

While recycled water use is commonly considered for landscape irrigation, what about recycled water for the irrigation of food crops? California’s stringent Title 22 recycled water regulations allow the use of recycled water for the irrigation of certain crops. Additionally there are “good agricultural practices” established that must be followed by growers and food packers, and certified by an independent third party auditor. However, is the state’s “okay” enough to persuade growers, major chain-food suppliers, and consumers that it is okay to eat food touched by recycled water? The eminent threat of water shortage is on-going, and as the urgency for water conservation and water reuse continues to escalate, more avenues for reuse must be explored. With vast acreages of land in need of water, should the irrigable agricultural lands in Fresno County be considered a prime candidate for recycled water use?