Report: Gray water risks need to be studied
By Matt Stevens, Los Angeles Times
As water utilities and their customers increasingly look to gray water and runoff from storms to supplement their supply amid drought, more guidelines and research are needed to ensure that the water is safe, researchers said in a report released Wednesday.
These sources “have substantial potential to contribute to local water supply needs,” according to the 326-page study, but “additional examination of risk is necessary” as use of stormwater and gray water becomes more widespread.
Gray water is untreated wastewater from washing machines, showers or bathroom sinks.
“This is water you have now that you can take advantage of,” said Richard Luthy, a Stanford professor and one of the report’s authors. But, he added, “there’s the opportunity there for exposure to pathogens. And that’s something that needs to be studied more carefully.”
More regulation, more restrictions, more money, more money, more money. . .
Dog, get a life and take a moment to understand the complexities without just reflectively fall into your rigid and not well thought out mantra.
Let’s say a city without any consideration to the risk, captures stormwater in a way to recharge its aquifers and puts the larger community at large at risk of illness. I guess in your world- oh well. Most rational folks get it and understand the importance of standards to ensure that our water supply stays safe.
Go travel around the world and see what happens to water supply and high mortality rates, when a society lacks clean water standards – it is not pretty.
Rick