California’s State Water Resources Control Board is expected to approve the “toilet to tap” new laws to establish a system that transforms wastewater into safe drinking water. This will result in the construction of advanced water treatment plants that can transform sewage into drinkable water.
Currently, California treats most of its wastewater and disposes of it in the ocean or rivers. However, a new system will treat some of this wastewater even more and convert it into drinkable water, which will be beneficial as the state deals with the impacts of climate change and increasingly severe droughts.
The idea of reusing water from toilets for drinking purposes, known as “toilet to tap,” has been criticized and misunderstood mainly due to its nomenclature. It should be accurately referred to as “direct potable reuse,” as the wastewater undergoes extensive treatment and is proven to be safe for consumption.
Although it may make people feel uncomfortable, this process is actually quite common. Astronauts on the International Space Station recycle their wastewater and sweat, which may sound unpleasant but is not as bad as it seems.
According to the United Nations, a significant proportion of global wastewater is being safely reused for different purposes. There is a growing trend among countries and communities to recycle wastewater into drinking water.
The US government, along with the Environmental Protection Agency, sees recycled wastewater as a solution to future water crises caused by climate change.
Reference- The Guardian, LA Times, Wired, EPA website, UN Report, Futurism