California voted to allow the purification of wastewater from showers and toilets into drinking water, becoming the second U.S. state to do so. This decision aims to address drought conditions and water shortages. Advances in water purification technology and the impact of climate change have contributed to softening public opposition to the idea.
California Allows Wastewater to Be Recycled Into Drinking Water California has become the second U.S. state to allow the recycling of wastewater into tap water in response to drought conditions. The State Water Resources Control Board voted to permit the purification of wastewater from showers and toilets into drinking water. San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara are preparing to build water purification systems to supply drinking water to hundreds of thousands of households. In the past, treated wastewater has been used for outdoor irrigation or to replenish underground aquifers in the Western U.S. However, sending treated wastewater directly to homes has faced opposition, with concerns about safety and public acceptance. Advances in water purification technology and the strain on water supply due to climate change have led to a shift in public opinion. The water resources board chair, E. Joaquin Esquivel, sees this as an exciting development in finding innovative solutions to the challenges of extreme weather driven by climate change. California, with a population of over 39 million, has been facing extreme drought conditions, leading to increased pressure to utilize all available water sources.
California Allows Wastewater to Be Recycled Into Drinking Water California has become the second U.S. state to allow the recycling of wastewater into tap water in response to drought conditions. The State Water Resources Control Board voted to permit the purification of wastewater from showers and toilets into drinking water. San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara are preparing to build water purification systems to supply drinking water to hundreds of thousands of households. In the past, treated wastewater has been used for outdoor irrigation or to replenish underground aquifers in the Western U.S. However, sending treated wastewater directly to homes has faced opposition, with concerns about safety and public acceptance. Advances in water purification technology and the strain on water supply due to climate change have led to a shift in public opinion. The water resources board chair, E. Joaquin Esquivel, sees this as an exciting development in finding innovative solutions to the challenges of extreme weather driven by climate change. California, with a population of over 39 million, has been facing extreme drought conditions, leading to increased pressure to utilize all available water sources.