Kyle Swanson responds to a question about the safety of the drinking water to be produced at the East County Advanced Water Purification Program (East County AWP) in a way that conveys a sure grasp and confidence in the science behind the $950 million project.

“There’s an extensive treatment process that will be taking place,” said the new general manager for the Padre Dam Water District and the AWP, explaining how the region’s sewage will go through a four-stage process that is well-tested, entails loads of regulatory oversight, and has proven effective in many other areas of the country.