We Should All Be Using More Reclaimed Water
We can’t create more clean water, but we can repurpose what’s already there and recycle wastewater. Proven technologies like reverse osmosis, ultraviolet disinfection and oxidation can turn reclaimed water into a clean resource for everything from safe drinking water to agriculture and even toilet flushing. We’re making a claim for the use of reclaimed water.
Using reclaimed water keeps sensitive ecosystems in tact. Plants, wildlife, fish, wetlands and riparian habitats depend on sufficient freshwater. When we divert water away from their ecosystems for things like agriculture or industrial development, we’re essentially deteriorating the earth’s well-being and water quality. Recycling water in an eco-conscious way makes for a healthier environment for all.
Recycled water may actually be better for our soil. In 2008-2009, many California golf courses, parks and local governments reported a reduction in fertilizer costs after making the switch to reclaimed water for irrigation and landscaping. Reclaimed water can cut back on the need for chemical fertilizers because the recycling process oftentimes leaves behind essential nutrients. The fewer chemicals there are in our soil, the better.
Reclaimed water conserves and produces energy. The water recycling process has one extremely important by-product: Methane. Handled correctly, this high-quality gas can be used for clean energy power. Water reclamation also saves energy because we’re not importing or pumping in water from other locations. It can all happen on site.
There are SO many uses for recycled water! Seriously, the list is extensive. We can use reclaimed water for irrigation and to generate power, as a purified drinking source, in architecture and design for decorative fountains, as a means of dust control and fire protection, to keep our lawns healthy, and the ideas go on and on. Reclaimed water also costs less than other sources!
We’re taking a smart and sustainable approach to waste and repurposing what’s already there – including water! – into clean natural resources.
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