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In some cases, using wastewater for drinking water may be controversial. However, according to a National Research Council report released on Tuesday, treated wastewater has the potential to be a significant part of the country's future water supply. Recycled water is also referred to as "reclaimed water," "water reuse," or "toilet to tap" by opponents.

Controversy

According to estimates, less than one percent. of U.S. water is recycled. However, there is still some debate about it. Southern California is particularly relevant to this study because of the long-running debate over water consumption sparked by the state's ongoing water crisis. A plan to use recycled water to top off the San Fernando Valley's groundwater a decade ago was halted in Los Angeles due to public outcry. Southern California is still a pioneer in using treated wastewater for its aquifers, and the vast majority of its treated water is discharged into the Pacific Ocean.

What's the Big Deal with Wastewater?

More than 12 billion gallons of municipal wastewater are discharged into the ocean or estuary every day, according to a study. Reusing these discharges would increase available water resources to 27% of the public supply, which is an important step in combating future water shortages as the population grows and the water supply decreases.

Rules/Laws

According to the findings of the study, water recycling regulations vary from state to state, but changes to federal regulations could increase public trust and safeguard public health in the long run. The study recommends that

civil infrastructure experts more research be done to enhance federal-nongovernmental coordination and to update the National Pretreatment Program to improve water re-use.

health hazards

According to the findings, technological advances have rendered treated wastewater safe for human consumption. Wastewater reuse is poised to become a legitimate part of our nation's water supply portfolio given recent improvements in treatment processes," R. Rhodes Trussel, chair of committee that wrote report, said. "Even though reuse is not a panacea, the amount of wastewater discharged to the environment is so large that it could significantly complement water from other sources and management strategies," There may be health benefits to reusing wastewater, according to a study.

Costs

There is a wide range in the costs of water reuse compared to conventional water conservation options, but seawater desalination is the most expensive option. However, the report recommends that the water industry take into account additional costs and benefits. During times of high demand, water recycling could be used in conjunction with another water conservation program, and the carbon footprint of the recycled water would be lower than that of the existing systems.