A state of the art water microfiltration process within a water treatment plant in Summit County, Utah, is on course to prove that recycled backwash water from the primary treatment process can be used as drinking water. It is anticipated that the data collected during operation will show that the filtered product from the recycled backwash produces the same quality drinking water as the primary treatment produces. During this innovative process, the overall plant waste quantity is reduced from 10 percent to 2 percent of the total plant production. The backwash water used to flush the membrane units is discarded into a flocculation tank and plate-settler system where it undergoes a clarification process. This clarified water is then pumped into another microfiltration membrane unit dedicated to treating only the backwash water. The recycled backwash water membrane unit's filtered product is then sent to the tank that provides the backwash supply water for the primary treatment units. In meeting the highest standards set by the environmental and political community, the byproducts produced in the recycling process are pumped to the wastewater collection system, resulting in no on-site discharge. This project can yield significant results. Recently released studies have found that if current trends continue, tremendous strain will be placed on water resources over time. If as successful as predicted, the Summit County facility will introduce a revolutionary way to preserve one of our most precious resources and commodities by operating with 98 percent recovery. This ecologically aware process would be more efficient, reduce cost and, most importantly, create a viable increase in potable water. Includes tables, figures.