Water for Life

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Rebecca Goodman

Patricia Brown

Life, Learning and Vocation

10 March 2013

Water For Life

Water is essential to all forms of life. Consumable fresh water is a need for every living being on earth.  Not only does the human race need access to fresh, clean drinking water, but all living species and plants depend on it as well.  According to Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, a biochemist and Nobel Prize winner, “Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium.  There is no life without water” (qtd. in McGinnis).  Seventy percent of our earth is covered with water.  Oceans store ninety seven percent of the total water on earth and two percent of this is frozen. Approximately seventy percent of all freshwater on the planet flows in the ground about half a mile from the surface. Most of the freshwater is stored in glaciers and is unavailable. Our drinkable water supply is less than one percent of the total water present on Earth (Gross).  Clean water is essential to all life.  Everything we eat contains water in some form.  Our food is affected by the amount of safe water we have and use to grow food.  An inability to replenish our water supply will limit crop production. Climate changes, such as droughts or wildfires, also create challenges that affect our sustainable water supply.  With the world’s population growing rapidly, the demand for water resources is escalating. According to the World Health Organization, by 2025 over three billion people will be living in water scarce areas. Today, over one billion people do not have access to clean, safe water.  This statistic results in the 2.2 million people that die each year from diseases related to poor sanitation and dirty water (Bactram, Fewtrell, and Stenstrom).  Water scarcity across the world commands our attention, but how can we replenish our water?   Most people are aware of the functions and benefits that recycled water

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provides regarding the connection to agriculture, industrial and environmental issues.  Less common to public knowledge is the application of recycled water for the purpose of drinking.  While there are reasonable concerns regarding the issue, this solution offers a substantial water resource for the future.  The drinking water is disappearing from our planet and we must explore and adopt safe methods to recycle water for the purpose of human consumption.  

The technology for recycling water has advanced to the point where wastewater can be rendered safe for drinking.  Government policies and testing standards have been established and organizations around the world are committed to providing safe drinking water (Van Der Bruggen).  Countries like Australia and Singapore and states such as California and Virginia are already drinking recycled water, demonstrating that purified wastewater can be safe and clean.   A facility in Big Spring, Texas treats and cleans wastewater and contributes to the drinking water supply of many drought-stricken towns (Wilkins).  New facilities and city water programs are being developed and implemented across the world.  Even with positive results showing the process as safe and cost effective while replenishing our water supply at the same time, there are legislative and psychological hurdles that need to be overcome before there is a global acceptance

      Wastewater treatment programs for drinking can be challenging.  Opposing arguments that question the process consist of cost related issues, potential health concerns and public perception. The introduction of recycled water into a community’s water brings up reasonable concerns.  Financial issues may arise when implementing a very costly water program.  To battle against the financial impact, assistance is available from the Water Protection and Sustainability Program, which provides funding to water projects across the nation.  Another argument that may surface with the introduction of recycled water into a community’s water supply is related to water quality and potential health risks. Using advanced treatment technologies such as

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reverse osmosis to provide highly treated water, as well as implementing strict guidelines are crucial (Van Der Bruggen).  In Florida, reclaimed water facilities are constantly monitored to ensure that only high-quality reclaimed water is distributed.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s rules govern the reuse of water to protect public health and ensure environmental quality for the community (“Drinking Water Program”).  The biggest hurdle to overcome lies within the public’s perception and acceptance.  According to WERF, initially many people are disgusted by the thought of drinking wastewater. There are health concerns, but even more challenging is the battle against the psychological “drinking sewage” stigma.  In order to combat a lack of public acceptance, Water Corporation, a water supplier in Australia, opened a visitor center in 2010 that educates people on the treatment process and explains their region’s water needs.  Providing their community with the knowledge to understand the technology and purpose for recycling wastewater for drinking has led to a greater acceptance (“Water Environment Research Foundation”).  Keeping the public informed and supplying the necessary information to learn and understand the process is a great solution to overcoming any negative stigma associated with recycling water for drinking purposes.