Sunday, March 2, 2008

Would you drink recycled toilet water?


After watching a small news segment on a new water sanitation plant in Orange County (USA), it piqued my interest that the news reporter drank the clean recycled water, which is the result of recycled and sanitised sewage waste, after closing out his story. Now I thought that was gutsy! I had a couple thoughts from "ewwwwwwwww" to "wowwwwwwww" once I saw the potential in this new sanitation plant for other parts of the world. If this reporter could drink it, then why not introduce a system to every city. Clean water is becoming a scarce commodity and why not take advantage of this new sanitation system to conserve our fresh water levels.

The sanitation process is very environmentally friendly as it prevents a lot of the sewage discharge from the treatment plants. In fact, they were talking about 85% of the sewage discharge into the oceans being recycled back into the household. This is truly an amazing statistic that will make a huge difference in keeping our oceans clean and our water reservoirs optimised. Singapore uses the same system as well as Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. If you've been to Windhoek, you will know why they would need such a system. It is in the middle of nowhere, more 'nowhere' than Las Vegas.

I guess the proof is always in the pudding and if this reporter can drink it, then why can't anyone else. It can't be any worse than some tap water I've tasted before. One could always put the recycled water through a home filtration system and 'voila'!!...even more fresh clean water to quench your thirst.

Hmmm, maybe one could start a water bottling business and add some essential plant food nutrients to it and call it "TAP - recycled goodness, your plants will love it" or simply sell the fresh water in bottles domestically or internationally at really cheap prices to developing countries that have very little fresh clean water.




3 comments:

eyemusing said...

Great post! I actually would drink recycled water, I think it's a great idea. I mean, initially I was grossed out with the though - until I found out the water I am getting is dirtier than toilet water (pre-filtered of course). Living in San Diego, near the end of the Colorado river supply, we get the dirtiest water (actually Mexico gets the ugly end of the stick - but I'm talking US). We might as well recycle water because of the shortage and because it's no different. All you have to do is clean out the "bad junk" and voilĂ !

What is Wrong With Me 2 said...

he he he!!! Recylced toilet water-- I like that :)

Symphony of Love said...

Hmm ... we have a similar kind of water in Singapore too.