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Hetch Hetchy Water Treatment System Zaps Bugs With UV Light

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(Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

(Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

TRACY (CBS / AP) — A high-tech water-treatment system is making some of Northern California’s cleanest water even cleaner.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday unveiled its Tesla Water Treatment Facility, which is the largest of its kind in California and third largest in North America.

The $114 million facility in Tracy uses ultraviolet light to sterilize drinking water and prevent gastro-intestinal illness caused by harmful micro-organisms.

The chemical-free system will benefit the San Francisco water agency’s 2.5 million Bay Area customers who receive their water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Hetch Hetchy water is already very clean because of the lack of livestock and people near the reservoir.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other cities are planning to launch their own ultraviolet treatment facilities.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Tours Martel

Just don’t tell the enviro-trash hippies that the water district is using radiation to purify the water. Low mental wattage can create unnecessary problems.

July 20, 2011 at 11:08 pm | Reply | Report comment

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Billy Joe Bob

Oh no radiation of the UV spectrum. That water with fertilizer tastes so much better. The nonpotable water from the sewage treatment plants is cleaner than the water downstream the farmer.

July 23, 2011 at 3:48 pm | Reply | Report comment

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