Water recycling is defined as the treatment and disinfection of municipal wastewater to provide a water supply suitable for non-potable reuse. Castaic Lake Water Agency's first recycled water operation, The Tournament Players Club water, is wastewater that has been treated at Los Angeles County Sanitation District plants. Although this is the first water recycling plan in the Santa Clarita Valley, almost every county in the state has already imposed water-recycling programs as part of their conservation plans. As per the article, while recycled water is currently being used at this golf course, this will eventually account for a significant portion of the valley's water supply. Moreover, in regard to the irrigation of parks, road medians and businesses, the Castaic Lake Water Agency proposes to essentially account for 10% of the valley's water supply with recycled water. Furthermore, Newhall Land plans to account for 30 percent of the 21,000-home Newhall Ranch's water supply with reused water. As far as Tom Dierckman, a senior vice president at The Newhall Land and Farming Company, which developed the golf course, he shared his enthusiasm as "recycled water is a very reliable source that is beneficial and also beautiful." Judging from his and the remarks of the select few who shared their views in the article, recycled water was said to be environmentally beneficial and as the system expands, it will create more potable water without additional effort. Additionally, according to Rich Mills, by reusing water, the valley's supply would be bolstered considerably. For instance, eyeing the ninth hole of the TCP course, instead of this expansive area being watered with drinking water, Mary Lou Cotton, spokeswoman for the CLWA, further addresses the fact that although the recycled water is not potable, its use will effectively increase the drinking water supply because clean and filtered water will no longer be utilized for irrigation.
