When you flush the toilet or toss something down the drain, you probably think very little about where the water heads. It goes to the sewer and away from you. Isn’t that enough? The fluid, though, still has been used, so it’s no longer acceptable to dismiss it right away. Believe it or not, wastewater is cleaned and then reused. The following are four things to understand about the treatment.
1. It Undergoes a Thorough Cleaning
Cities go through the mass amount of water a day. Between restroom use, dishwashers, showers and clothes washing, the lines remain flowing. That dirty liquid though is treated meticulously to allow for recycling purposes. The sludge and water are separated through a mechanical dewatering apparatus. In addition, chemical treatment occurs to minimize pathogen exposure.
2. You Probably Use It in Your Yard
Have you noticed signs on the local fields that say, “Don’t drink the water!” That’s likely because the community uses waste water to keep it growing. After cleaning, the irrigation lines get the water, allowing you to hydrate your yard and municipal fields.
3. Treated Water Has a Designated Line
You don’t want your drinking water to mix with recycled water, so the lines are different colors. Some areas rely on purple pipes to denote treated fluid. This way, plumbers (or homeowners) know which one to use.
4. Fire Fighters May Use It
Once sanitized, the fluid works for things that don’t require ingestion. Firefighters rely on an efficient flow and mass amount of water when putting out flames. They could use the treated wastewater as a source, allowing it to save someone’s home from potential disaster.
Your daily water does come back, helping out with several things. Use it to keep your yard looking green and healthy; trust it to assist with fire situations.