Pure Water Again: Leading the Project that Proved Recycled Water Safe to Drink

Can wastewater be safely turned into drinking water?

For decades, the idea has sparked debate, doubt, and resistance. In Pure Water Again, William C. Lauer tells the never-before-told story of the project that set out to answer that question once and for all.

As the project’s only manager, Lauer offers a firsthand account of one of the most ambitious water treatment studies ever undertaken. Blending science, engineering, and lived experience, he takes readers inside a complex, high-stakes effort that pushed the limits of what was thought possible. Along the way, he reveals the challenges, decisions, setbacks, and unexpected moments that shaped both the work and the people behind it.

At its core, this is a story about more than water. It is about how a small group of municipal employees became what The Denver Post called “the scientists along the banks of the South Platte River,” and how a culture of trust, responsibility, and shared purpose made that transformation possible.

Through the lens of the project, Lauer reflects on leadership, teamwork, and the power of a clear and meaningful vision.

Pure Water Again is both a groundbreaking technical story and a deeply human one, and the story of how a controversial idea was proven safe.