ANGELENOS SLOW TO SWALLOW PURIFIED SEWAGE CHALLENGE: ADVOCATES SAY INFORMATION CAN UNWRINKLE PUBLIC'S NOSES.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh

Staff Writer

The science of recycled water may have come a long way since L.A.'s first attempt to turn sewage water into drinking water was blocked, but has public perception changed as well?

An informal survey of Angelenos suggests no.

Most people interviewed recently wrinkled their noses and shook their heads at the mention of mixing purified toilet water into drinking water -- even if the process provides safe and tasty water.

Many people said they won't even drink tap water now because they consider it unsafe or of poor quality, so drinking recycled water is out of the question.

"It sounds crazy," said Arleta resident Glory Loza. "Even the water we have now isn't safe. Imagine drinking toilet water!"

Loza said she drinks bottled water. Like most others walking at Hansen Dam on a recent morning, she had a fresh bottle of brand-name water tucked under her arm.

Similarly, Panorama City resident Mayra Torres isn't convinced by assurances that the water would be clean.

"I wouldn't drink it. Even though they would clean it, it just doesn't sound safe."

The Department of Water and Power's general manager, H. David Nahai, said he's confident wary Angelenos will embrace recycled water after a strong public-information campaign.

After all, he said, we already drink it. Treated wastewater is already dumped into the Colorado River and the Sacramento Bay Delta, which supply much of the region's current drinking water.

"Once we really roll out our program and talk to people about all the facts of the matter, I've got to believe we have a society that is open-minded and receptive enough to overcome the suspicions," Nahai said.

Gardena resident Sharon Graine was skeptical, especially after she saw a news report that researchers had found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in the water supply. But she was willing to consider recycled water if officials can provide research and testing results that prove it's safe.

"Maybe recycled water would be cleaner and better than what we're drinking right now," Graine said.

"We have to do something. If we keep going the way we're going, we're going to deplete all of our resources, and we will not have any more water."

Across town, Richard Roberts and Eileen and Ben Marder were sitting on park benches overlooking Lake Balboa, where recycled water fills the recreational pond and irrigates the grass.

All three were adamant that Angelenos need to do a better job of conserving water, but were split on whether they would want to drink recycled water to help meet water demand.

"Sure. Why not? We're going to run out of water one day," said Eileen Marder, who lives at Lake Balboa.

Her husband, Ben, agreed. Times have changed, he said, and technology can do amazing things.

"If it's proven that it's drinkable, why not? It's 2008. They should be able to do that and make it so the water is safe to drink."

But Sherman Oaks resident Roberts said he would want a lot more information.

"It's a good idea to focus on water now. But, no, I don't think I could do it."

Ben Marder suggested if L.A. leaders want to persuade Angelenos to embrace recycled water, the City Council and mayor should drink it for a year first.

"If they don't have any problems after a year, then we'll do it."

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