NeemsWould you drink poo water - recycled effluent??
October 13th 2006 00:49
Regardless of how we market it, whether it’s called recycled effluent, recycled sewage, recycled water, purified recycled water, the fact remains drinking this recycled water is a highly emotive and contentious issue among certain Australian communities, as evidenced by the Toowoomba people in SE Queensland, Australia.
It was only a matter of time in Australia before water would become a major issue. Yes we are in drought but we are also experiencing a population growth and never before in history have we had to support the numbers we have now, especially in SE Queensland. Our population 30 years ago when much of our current water supply infrastructure was put in place is not going to support a population that has exploded since then, obviously. So what are our options?
It is interesting that the people of Toowoomba voted No to drinking recycled effluent, by a big margin. The recycled water scheme was never meant to be a one stop solution to the area’s major water shortage; after all it was only recycling water that is currently in the system, not adding extra water to it. The other interesting thing is that if you live in a town anywhere in Australia that collects its water from a river, it is likely that you have consumed recycled water. When water is treated in a sewage treatment plant, in many areas it is then pumped back into a river where it flows downstream to be collected by the next town, where it is treated at a water treatment plant and then used before being treated again and released and on it goes. If that isn’t recycling, what is?
The scientific and technological advances we have made in the last couple of decades have been enormous. It is possible to treat water now (yes even ‘poo water’) to a level where it is purer than the so called bottled ‘spring water’ that we currently drink by the tonne in Australia and all over the world. So why is there so much aversion to drinking recycled poo water? Obviously because we have those who oppose it who advertise it as being poo water! It all comes down to marketing and how we sell it to a community. Yes it is recycled effluent, yes it is ‘second hand’ water. But the flip side is most water we drink, shower in and use is second hand in some form or another, even the water that falls from the sky was drawn up through evaporation from the world’s current water supply. In a perfect world of adequate supply we wouldn't need to drink recycled water, but alas, we're stuck with planet earth.
Would you drink recycled effluent, treated water or whatever you want to call it, if you knew it was pure, clean and safe? MB
It was only a matter of time in Australia before water would become a major issue. Yes we are in drought but we are also experiencing a population growth and never before in history have we had to support the numbers we have now, especially in SE Queensland. Our population 30 years ago when much of our current water supply infrastructure was put in place is not going to support a population that has exploded since then, obviously. So what are our options?
It is interesting that the people of Toowoomba voted No to drinking recycled effluent, by a big margin. The recycled water scheme was never meant to be a one stop solution to the area’s major water shortage; after all it was only recycling water that is currently in the system, not adding extra water to it. The other interesting thing is that if you live in a town anywhere in Australia that collects its water from a river, it is likely that you have consumed recycled water. When water is treated in a sewage treatment plant, in many areas it is then pumped back into a river where it flows downstream to be collected by the next town, where it is treated at a water treatment plant and then used before being treated again and released and on it goes. If that isn’t recycling, what is?
The scientific and technological advances we have made in the last couple of decades have been enormous. It is possible to treat water now (yes even ‘poo water’) to a level where it is purer than the so called bottled ‘spring water’ that we currently drink by the tonne in Australia and all over the world. So why is there so much aversion to drinking recycled poo water? Obviously because we have those who oppose it who advertise it as being poo water! It all comes down to marketing and how we sell it to a community. Yes it is recycled effluent, yes it is ‘second hand’ water. But the flip side is most water we drink, shower in and use is second hand in some form or another, even the water that falls from the sky was drawn up through evaporation from the world’s current water supply. In a perfect world of adequate supply we wouldn't need to drink recycled water, but alas, we're stuck with planet earth.
Would you drink recycled effluent, treated water or whatever you want to call it, if you knew it was pure, clean and safe? MB
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Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
It's a shame that politics has really gotten into this along with big ,oney. The main reason the Toowoomba vote failed is because of one of the residents with much more money than sense, actively spending up the big bucks on advertising and promoting that they didn't need the recycled water.
And yet, when Toowoomba runs dry where will he be? Hanging around buying everyone imported bottled water? I think not!
With the dough that this guy has he'll just up and leave to further fields, more plentiful with natural water resources, a plan B that most people of the area will be little able to afford.
Comment by MichaelB
Diet Dog
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
How does that saying go...."If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem!"
In which case I'd like to say "wake up Australia and smell the coffee!"
Comment by Joanna
it might be safe and it might even taste great but the idea is pretty gross!!!!
Comment by Anonymous
water conservation is must. and recycled water is one of the water conservation techniques. Now u see there are two systems.
1. Grey Water System
2. Black Water system.
in Grey water system water from bath, kitchen and may be baisin is used and recycled for use in toilets and other washing purposes. further purification will make that water into drinkable water.
In Black water system Water from Toilets etc is used and is converted for use in Garden. or washing purposes.
for more information please visit http://www.airtoh2o.com.au
Regards
Vaneet kaushal
Comment by Colin from Morayfield
My suggestion to the Premier is - pipe 100% recycled effluent straight into these production facilities (especially Coke) - this gives us a choice! Then if they add fluoride to the drink they will not get rotten teeth - hummm!!
Comment by Anonymous
IT IS FULL OF RADATION WHICH CAN NOT BE REMOVED.
Comment by Anonymous