A number of towns, such as Windhoek in Namibia, have been producing potable water from treated sewage for several decades. The use of recycled water ranges between 20 and 25 percent while its proportion may reach one-third of the total in times of drought.
How Is It Treated?
Sewage treatment facilities and systems utilize various methods of treated sewage, including microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light. The NEWater program in Singapore meets and even exceeds WHO standards and provides about 40 percent of water supply needs.
Is It Safe?
While indirect recycled water treatment sends purified water through some water reservoir or aquifer before being delivered for reuse, the direct recycled wastewater treatment sends it for reuse directly. At the same time, experts claim that wastewater can be treated to the level of distilled aquifer water, though it demands a high degree of treatment.
Why Is It Important?
In Orange County for instance, wastewater reuse consumes less energy as compared to delivering water from elsewhere.
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