California officials have recently approved new regulations allowing sewage water to be transformed into clean, drinkable water. While the idea may initially sound unappetizing, proponents argue that this method of recycling wastewater could be a significant solution in combating the effects of climate change. The treated wastewater would undergo a thorough and extensive process before being tested and eventually making its way to the tap.
The Deputy Director for the California State Water Board's Division of Drinking Water, Darren Bolemus, explained that the process involves multiple advanced treatment steps. The wastewater is treated at a highly advanced level before being added either directly into the drinking water system or as a raw additive in the beginning stages of the process. Each step is closely monitored to ensure the water's safety and quality. Bolemus mentioned that so many impurities are removed during the treatment process that minerals need to be reintroduced before it can be consumed.
