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Calif. county launches 'toilet-to-tap' water-purification plan

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 25, 2008 5:25 PM CST
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(Newser) – As contamination, overconsumption, and drought sap Southern California's already limited supply of potable water, Orange County has just adopted an effective, if unpalatable, solution. Starting today, flushed toilet water will gush through a $490 million network of pipes and filters, return to the groundwater basin, then find its way home to moisten SoCal toothbrushes, Slate reports.

Not surprisingly, "toilet-to-tap" has droves of squeamish detractors. But the process is cheaper and more efficient than seawater desalination, for example, and produces fewer greenhouse gases and chemical byproducts. "If we don't learn to deal with drinking toilet water, we're going to be mighty thirsty," writes Eileen Zimmerman, calling the plan "a smart idea, one of the most reliable and affordable hedges against water shortages."

The Dike 4 Groundwater Recharge Facility is shown Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, in Coachella, Calif.. The facility is one of the major groundwater replenishment projects identified in the Water Management Plan. This facility, named after its location behind the fourth in a series of stormwater dikes, will recharge the lower...
The Dike 4 Groundwater Recharge Facility is shown Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, in Coachella, Calif.. The facility is one of the major groundwater replenishment projects identified in the Water Management Plan....   (Associated Press)
Scott Kelly demonstrates a low-flow toilet at his architecture firm in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007. Kelly's company urges its customers to install the high-efficiency toilets, which use 20 percent less water than the previous generation of low-flow toilets. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Scott Kelly demonstrates a low-flow toilet at his architecture firm in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007. Kelly's company urges its customers to install the high-efficiency toilets, which use 20...   (Associated Press)
  ((c) dirtyboxface)
Almond grower Mark Borba looks over his orchard Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 in Huron, Calif., which makes use of a sophisticated drip system. Farmers like Borba will need a supplemental water supply for the upcoming crop season due to supply shortages. Drought and water restrictions are exacting a high price...
Almond grower Mark Borba looks over his orchard Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 in Huron, Calif., which makes use of a sophisticated drip system. Farmers like Borba will need a supplemental water supply for the...   (Associated Press)
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Related links

Hear NPR's report here
NPR

... and more background from the LA Times
Los Angeles Times

San Jose considers similar plan
Associated Press

Science • Lifestyle • US

 
Orange County • water supply • recycled sewage • desalination

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