With more and more pressure being placed on ever dwindling water resources, we need to start using water more frugally, making every drop of count. We certainly shouldn't be wasting it. Whether that means squandering or overusing water, or flushing this life-giving resource down the drain is open to interpretation.

What is Wastewater?

Wastewater is potable water that has been used for some purpose or other and then flushed down the sink, drain or toilet and sent to a wastewater treatment facility where it is treated to make it safe to release into the environment. But wastewater as we know it may soon be a thing of the past. Instead of being discharged back into the environment, wastewater may soon be recycled back into drinking water.

While that may not sound like something you would relish glugging down to quench your thirst, water experts say that when treated appropriately, recycled wastewater meets drinking water quality standards and is completely safe to drink.

How is Wastewater Cleaned?

Wastewater is recycled for direct potable reuse (DPR) using a method whereby sewage water undergoes advanced treatment to render it safe for human consumption. But instead of being discharged back into the environment, recycled for irrigation water or used for aquifer recharge — a process known as indirect potable reuse (IPR) — it is sent to a drinking water treatment plant for distribution to consumers. In Texas DPR is already legal, with Arizona closely following suit. As several other states where water scarcity poses a challenge, such as California, Florida and Colorado, are currently working on water reuse regulations and guidelines, you may soon find recycled water flowing from the taps in your city.

Sewage recycling initiatives have previously been labeled 'toilet-to-tap' — not the most inspiring term to get everyone on board with the idea of happily taking a sip — but there's a growing move to try and change people's perceptions to the idea of drinking recycled wastewater. Once wastewater is treated, it is sent to a drinking water treatment plant for further treatment. Regardless of the source water, all water entering a drinking water treatment plant is cleaned and treated to meet drinking water standards. With innovative advances in wastewater treatment and drinking water purification technologies, it is now possible to treat sewage effluent to drinking water quality standards.

Recycled wastewater can help augment drinking water supplies, and can prove critical in preventing drinking water shortages during periods when water is in short supply. This is particular relevant given that climate change is causing changes in precipitation and snowmelt that is resulting in less freshwater being sent to natural systems that serve as important sources of drinking water. An increase in population growth, together with an increase in prolonged periods of drought are putting even more strain on dwindling freshwater resources, making DPR a potential lifeline to keep water flowing in our taps.

Does the US recycle sewage water?

Yes, the some parts of the US recycle sewage water as previously mentioned. The biggest stumbling block to DPR (Direct Portable Resuse) is public perception. While it may be difficult to win the public over on this one, having purified water from any source, even a seemingly dubious one like sewage wastewater, flowing from your taps is likely to be far better than having no water at all. For those that still have misgivings about what may be lurking in their water, a good quality water filters such as the Big Berkey Water Filter can provide added peace of mind that the water their family is drinking is completely safe, regardless of the source.