Turning wastewater into drinking water has long been a consideration in terms of how to preserve water and limit unnecessary usage of water. This idea has held particular relevance for areas with sparse rainfall. If implemented successful, it could be revolutionary for residents of these areas where water security and abundance remains a concern. Recently, El Paso has broken ground on a new filtration system to turn wastewater into clean, drinking water.
Water security remains a threat around the world
While it may seem inconceivable to residents of of states where rainfall is in abundance, there are locations throughout the state where the hot and dry whether has consistently raised concerns over water security and accessibility. With the past two years being some of the hottest years on record, this has further spurred concerns over how residents can access water year-round.
Many residents throughout the US are forced to rely on bottled water to meet their water needs, due to the limited availability of governmental water supply. Today, just over an estimated 2 million Americans live in homes with no running water or basic plumbing facility. Access to drinking water is a human right, and this lack of accessibility for residents is a crisis which is desperately needing attention. In addition, water insecurity costs the economy $8.58 billion dollars in terms of lost labor production.
El Paso begins building new filtration facility
Due to these pressing challenges, the ability to reuse wastewater would certainly provide a major benefit. El Paso, Texas is one such city which struggles with maintaining water security. The city receives less than nine inches of rainfall year round to supply their 700,000 residents with drinking water. However, the city has been planning for decades a new filtration system which will supply 10 millions gallons of drinking water a day once it opens in 2028.
This filtration facility is the very first of its kind in the US to directly convert waste water to drinking water. While the idea may seem at first apprehensible to residents, it is important to remember how far the technology we use to do this as come, and that the process is incredibly safe if the proper steps and protocols are taken. What’s more, the project has long been under review to ensure that it the system can provide safe drinking water. Its approval last year was a significant milestone for all those involved, highlighting the extent to which project facilitators have taken to ensure the project an actually become a reality.
Striving for a more climate-conscious world
The drinking-water struggle in El Paso highlights just one of the many dimensions of the struggles climate change is causing throughout the nation and globe. If we do not act, climate change is expected to disrupt every aspect of life as we know it today, especially when it comes to food, water, and energy security. Achieving carbon-neutrality is a dire concern if we are to continue living on a sustainable planet.
The transportation industry has been showcasing advanced innovation when it comes to contributing towards sustainable practices. Shifting away from the internal combustion engine is a reality that the world is going to have to accept at some point. The electrical engine and hydrogen engine have been leading in the the alternative engine world, with more consumers accepting hybrid models to move towards using more renewable sources.
Other fuel sources such as nitrogen and biofuel technology are also being explored in order to provide a diverse range of solutions to replace the domineering internal combustion engine. While not yet mainstream, these ideas are critical to the process of finding a suitable solution which can effectively convince consumers to “go green”.
