The National Research Council has just released a report that
outlines the benefits, and the increasing need, to create
drinking water from wastewater. The viability of this approach
was a central point to Braden Allenby’s keynote at the recent
GeoDesign Summit, used to illustrate the need for us to manage
and adapt to climate change rather than to take an over-
simplified view that climate change is a problem rather than a
condition. The report outlines a wide range of reuse, and
acknowledges the many water recycling efforts that are underway
across the country, including the use of non-potable water for
industrial applications. The report asserts that we can
significantly increase the nation’s total available water
resources, particularly in coastal areas facing water shortages.
The report suggests more coordinated research into areas that
could guide water reuse appropriately, and also suggests that we
revisit the regulatory framework in order to streamline
oversight and ensure a high level of public health