Reclaimed Water: Toilet-to-Tap

With global warming a true reality and draught common in many states, particularly in the West and Southwest regions of the U.S., reusing water is not a new concept. But using filtered wastewater as drinking water is relatively recent.

The idea has been toyed with and dropped because of the "ick" factor. But other regions like Singapore have been using reused water, or "NEWater," for drinking water as well as irrigation and manufacturing for some time now.

(We have also discussed the concept of properly filtering water for reuse on this site. Check out this article from October, 2008 about Dean Kamen's water filter and how it could help third world countries have potable water.) 

The "ick" factor is completely understandable here. But, isn't it about time that we've gotten beyond our internal gag reflex and looked at the possibilities of what new technology can offer in terms of filtering out impurities? When the levels of our rivers and streams, lakes, and wells are dwindling rapidly, now is the time to create our own "Waterworld."

See an excerpt below from yesterday's New York Times below.

As ‘Yuck Factor’ Subsides, Treated Wastewater Flows From Taps
By FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: February 9, 2012

SAN DIEGO — Almost hidden in the northern hills, the pilot water treatment plant here does not seem a harbinger of revolution. It cost $13 million, uses long-established technologies and produces a million gallons a day.

But the plant’s very existence is a triumph over one of the most stubborn problems facing the nation’s water managers: if they make clean drinking water from wastewater, will the yuck factor keep people from accepting it?

With climate change threatening to diminish water supplies in the fast-growing Southwest, more cities are considering the potential of reclaimed water. A new report from the National Academy of Sciences said that if coastal communities used advanced treatment procedures on the effluent that is now sent out to sea, it could increase the amount of municipal water available by as much as 27 percent.

To read more, click here.

Comments

[Progress Lighting]

We have plenty of waters in the sea, don't you think it is better to use. I personally, have the yuck factor in that. But it is a good idea on reusing water. Maybe, if we can educate our people more on water, it can make a difference.

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control of functions will come control of the institutions themselves. Inevitably. Something that can never be imagined by coolies or plumbers, even in their most creative, wildest dreams.

[Clara Walker]

REUSING WATER? This idea is not winnable to me. I mean, maybe some water can be reused but not those from the toilet to be drank. There must be other ways to be thrifty with water.

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[Plumber Edmonton]

This idea spread the awareness that how can we preserve the resources of water. Generally waste water mixes in lakes, streams by which no one can use it. People must use mineral water for their proper health. Plumber Edmonton

[bathroom vanities]

other regions like Singapore have been using reused water, or "NEWater," for drinking water as well as irrigation and manufacturing for some time now.

[Christopher Pia]

Tap water is still to date the best usage of drinking water available. I am all for reusable items. Getting past the "ick" factor is correct not so sure how I feel about this one. Not a new concept though. I have heard of this prior.