Get over the gross factor: the search for new water sources takes us to our toilets

As California plummets deeper and deeper into drought, scientists are starting to look for alternatives to the standard water-collecting process to satisfy the state’s growing thirst.

Currently, 55 percent of our water is imported, 30 percent is collected from local freshwater bodies, underground wells and runoff from mountain snow melt, 10 percent is conservationally saved water and the remaining 5 percent is recycled water. But due to global warming and the increase in demand, we are running out of local water and imported water is becoming more expensive.

Little do most people know that the best alternative is right underneath us: the sewage drain. That 5 percent of recycled water could account for more of our water, if only we’d let it.

But if you think that’s gross, you’re not alone. There is even a group, started in Australia, called “Citizens Against Drinking Sewage.” Honestly, though, the people opposed to this idea need to get over their squeamish selves. In fact, water is much more sanitary when it goes through the extensive filtration process than our current tap water is. California needs more water, and this is the answer.

Sewage water purification facilities make sure that the water is as clean as possible. The water goes through four main processes: membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet oxidation and sometimes ozone disinfection, though San Diego is the only location that currently does this step.

Membrane filtration filters out any particles and microorganisms, and then reverse osmosis removes salts, bacteria and viruses. The water is then exposed to ultraviolet light, creating a chemical reaction that destroys any remaining chemical contaminants. Finally, the ozone disinfection step rids the water of any remaining tiny organic or inorganic organisms by mixing ozone into the water. This makes the final product 99.9999 percent clean and crystal clear, while bottled water is still somewhat foggy in comparison.

Tap water’s process, in contrast, manly just removes larger particles, but doesn’t get down to the molecular level the way sewage water purification facilities do. For example, purified sewage water only has 20 parts per million (ppm) of salt remaining after its process, whereas the average imported water has 600 ppm.

Surprisingly, despite the extensive process, sewage water purification is actually less expensive than desalination, another possible water source that is being looked into by some coastal communities. Apparently more people would be OK with drinking water that was once fish urine than water that was once sewage. It is also 30 percent less expensive than imported water. It’s natural to fear water that comes from sewage, but superior water.

Another aspect that treated sewage water has an edge on is the recycling of natural resources. No more worries about using up all the freshwater on Earth, especially with our continuously growing population. Easy, smart and efficient.

Sadly, even after the water goes through the extensive cleaning process, it is currently only used for local industries and watering lawns.

Some people have even suggested directing the water back into the local reservoirs and streams to make the purified water seem more palatable. This view is ironic, though, because that method would take perfectly clean water and contaminate it again. Two steps forward, and one step back.

Soon a water purification facility is scheduled to open right here in San Jose and plan on pumping out 8 million gallons a day. But the drinking-worthy water will only be used for industrial and landscaping purposes. If we were to use this water for drinking, we would increase the average cleanliness and health of our community. Let’s put our water to better use no matter where it came from because, frankly, we can’t afford not to.