Recycled Wastewater Is As Good As Drinking Water

With increasing strain on water resources in the Southwest from population growth and climate change, water managers are continuously looking for new ways to conserve water. A new report by the National Research Council finds no difference in the risk between current drinking water and highly treated recycled wastewater. The authors of the report, a 14-person committee of academics and water professionals, measured levels of pathogens and chemical contaminants, including hormones and pharmaceuticals, and found no greater health risks in recycled water than in water from recharged aquifers, making wastewater a more attractive option during drought.