Would you buy/use wastewater?
Author : teriannAlthough it is a dim memory right now, I still have nightmares about waking up and trying to take a bath with only a trickle of water in the pipes.
The drought period affected several consumers, there were reports of persons having to resort to buying water which proved to be an expensive option.
There were many communities who had to do without the precious commodity for months. When the rainy season finally arrived, it relieved some of our problems to some extent.
However, the cycle will simply continue if nothing is put in place to deal with the next dry season. One solution has been suggested that might leave a ‘bitter’ taste with consumers.
Waste Water
The Caribbean Regional Fund for Waste water Management (CReW) project is being implemented by the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The CReW is financed through the Global Environment Facility and has put forward this option as a way to ease the burden on our water systems.
The idea of using waste water however has not proved popular with consumers.
Even though they admit that there needs to be a plan in place so that consumers do not suffer in a drought, they do not seem ready to embrace the use of waste water.
The truth is although it might sound distasteful, waste water can be distilled and treated so that it is safe for human consumption. Even if it is not consumed, waste water could be recycled and distilled so as to make it useful in the agricultural sector.
So far the efforts of the group has not been successful but there are ongoing discussions with several countries including Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago.
So what’s my take?
Well as long as there are facilities that are tested and proved to be safe, then I have no problem with the water being used.
If the waste water is left untreated and simply dumped in the sea then that can affect marine life negatively, so why not use it to alleviate drought conditions?
What’s your take?
Would you buy or use waste water?
Let me hear from you!
Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner online Writer
Tags: waste water
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2 Responses to “Would you buy/use wastewater?”
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Well, having worked for the Jamaican government for 3 years testing wastewater and raw water, I agree with the re-use if the wastewater is distilled since it will be purer than the water leaving any river. However, knowing what often passes for standards, and having worked where water was tested, I would fear any other method other than distillation since wastewater often contains carcinogenic compounds than cannot be removed by some of the methods we used to treat water from rivers and underground sources.
I do believe wastewater is a viable option, as long as it is used on plants and lawns, for washing cars, and external cleaning. Now the water has to be free of odour, and harmful bacteria, if it is to be used. The cost hopefully would be considerably less than potable water, so real savings are generated. It has to be packaged in usuable containers or some other water channel.