Author of Article: Ker Than
Publication: National Geographic News
Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/01/120131-reclaimed-wastewater-for-drinking/
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The picture to the left shows treated wastewater, or reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is currently being used mainly in agriculture and industry, but filtration technology can make it safe for humans to drink. In fact, many towns are already using recycled water.
Summary: Water usage is a major issue today. Aquifers are running dry because water is being pumped out faster than it can be replenished. Draining water from the ground and surface has serious negative repercussions for the environment. However, recycling wastewater may help to alleviate this problem. Current technologies for treating water are capable of keeping contaminants at a safe level for human consumption. In addition, updating regulations could further decrease the amount of organic and chemical pollutants. There is still the matter of implementation. In some cases, wastewater of one town is owned by the next one downstream. Furthermore, it would be necessary to convince the public that reclaimed water is safe to drink, and to overcome revulsion to the recycled water. Places like Singapore are taking steps in this direction; changing things gradually, and making it more economical to use reclaimed water.
Opinion/Reflection:
Given that treated wastewater is just as clean as the water we currently use, I think it makes sense for it to be used for drinking. After all, human beings are remarkably adaptable, and really, this is a small change, one that could be greatly beneficial. We would take less water from aquifers and other slowly-replenished sources, allowing them to recover and making our water usage more sustainable. This would also be helpful to the wildlife that relies on water sources, such as lakes and rivers, that we currently take water from, as there would be more water to support their ecosystems.
Questions:
1. Would you drink reclaimed water? Why or why not?
2. How can the psycological aversion to drinking reclaimed water be reduced?
3. What effect would making reclaimed water part of our water supply have? On the environment? For people? Something else?
This is quite interesting because humans are so infatuated with having the "purest" and "clearest" drinking water when, in face, cleaned recycled water could be doing the trick. In the big picture, it really doesn't matter if the water we're drinking is straight from the source or has been around the block a few times. What does matter, though, is that we don't run out of enough water to sustain humans and continue to also support animals. Water is the key to all things living, so what does it matter if it's been used before? If it's clean now, no one should see an issue. Unfortunately, people are so picky about what they put into their bodies that it may take a little while to convince everyone that this is for the better. It's kind of like the Water Water Everywhere lab we did in class...sure, it doesn't start out very nice, but by the time we ended? It was drinkable according to tests. Would you have drunk that water? Would you drink this water?
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1.) Do you see an issue with drinking reclaimed water for the nation as a whole? Why or why not?
2.) Assuming you had a family, would you let them drink this reclaimed water? Why or why not?
3.) Why do you think reclaimed water hasn't been around for that long? Do you think humans are overreacting to this idea, or do you think people have a right to protest what they're drinking, even if it's perfectly safe? Defend your answer with logic.
I sent an email to Dr. Carol Thompson. I thought she would be a good choice of a professional to elaborate on the topic Jialin brought up. She is an associate professor at Tarleton State University. She has taught a number of undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental science and is a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists, the Anerican Water Resources Association, Texas Academy of Science, and National Groundwater Association. Here is the email I sent:
ReplyDeleteHello,
My name is Nicholas and I am in a 9th grade Honors Environmental Science class. Our teacher put us in groups and has us take turns posting blogs about things happening in the environment today. One of my classmates made a post concerning reclaimed water, and how it could potentially impact society. I felt that you may be able to elaborate on the subject. Here is the link to the blog:
http://grass-heads.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-post-10-jialin-wang.html
Thank you for your time.
-Nick
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/reclaimed/
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because i believe it provides a lot of information on the topic of reclaimed water and provides videos. The source seems like it has anything you would want to know about reclaimed water. I also think it was interesting that it had a different opinion, saying that reclaimed water has many purposes, but shouldn't be used for drinking. It not only gives opinions, but it shows some very informative statistics such as the amount of water that is reused. The website is specifically directed towards the Florida area and the website's publisher is the water management association there. They explain what they could do to help introduce reclaimed water into our society. This website can give many facts and state many opinions that may change your mind one way or another on the subject of reclaimed water.
1. Would you drink reclaimed water? Why or why not?
ReplyDelete---I would drink any water that I know is clean. If no one is willing to drink the purified water, then they are wasting their time and they will stop doing what they're doing. I appreciate that the people are active in cleaning their environment and I would encourage the continuation of this.
2. How can the psychological aversion to drinking reclaimed water be reduced?
---Honestly, I think the best way to deal with this problem is to not tell the public where the water is from. Even though it's just as clean and good tasting, people are hesitant to drink water that was filthy and undrinkable at one point. If people didn't know where it came from, they will have no reason not to drink it. Besides, does it make sense to say, "this water used be in your sewer," instead of, "purified water?"