Water’s the big issue on this week’s San Diego City Council agenda. The city’s recycled sewage project will receive its first test since the summer in the form of a $3.2 million contract for project management and outreach to water recycling firm RMC Water and Environment.

You may recall that the city has been studying since 2007 if sewage can be safely purified, dumped in the San Vicente Reservoir and eventually consumed by people. You may also recall that council support for the project is a tenuous 5-3 majority. Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, who has voted in favor of sewage recycling, asked to revoke a key contract this summer over concerns about whether the state health department would find the city’s study adequate. Lightner’s request failed after Councilman Kevin Faulconer, a sewage recycling opponent, would not support the contract’s revocation for business reasons.

The council will take up the issue Tuesday evening and watch to see if Lightner stays in favor of the project or if proponents have been able to sway one of the previous opponents, such as Councilman Tony Young.

Click here for excellent background from my colleague Rob Davis on the sewage recycling issue.

  • City Council agenda, Jan. 25, 2010
  • City Council closed agenda, Jan. 25, 2010
  • City Council agenda, Jan. 26, 2010

Note: The 10 a.m. session on Tuesday has been switched to 6 p.m. That’s when the sewage recycling issue will be discussed.

What else is good to follow at the meetings? Questions? Comments? Derogatory remarks? Email me or tweet me.

— LIAM DILLON

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