The infinite source of water

Even if one or the other turns up their noses, but in our times of climate change and the associated, dramatically increasing water shortage, we actually have a source that represents an alternative resource and is practically inexhaustible: #wastewater.

Without us thinking about it, it has indirectly satisfied our needs for a long time: The wastewater from the household flows into a central #Kläranlage treatment plant, is thoroughly cleaned and then ends up in a stream, river or lake. It is taken from it again by a central waterworks, cleaned intensively and then pumped back to our tap as expensive, high-quality #drinking water.

However, only an infinitesimally small part of it is actually required as high-quality drinking water and for food processing. Most of it ends up in the washing machine, flushing the toilet and watering the garden during private use, as well as in agriculture and industry for professional use - for #irrigation, as #cooling water or for other industrial purposes. Which means: First-class, laboriously cleaned and expensive water is used for the most part for processes that do not require such quality! What a waste of energy and money!

But for understandable reasons, no central waterworks offers its customers an alternative, e.g. somewhat less high-quality water, so-called #greywater, at correspondingly lower prices. So what to do?

The alternative is called #recycling, similar to solid substances: The wastewater flows into a decentralized, i.e. independent #wastewater treatment and is then converted into gray water in the subsequent post-treatment, which supplies the lawn, the golf course, industrial cooling systems and the tomatoes. With the appropriate pipe systems, it is even possible to supply toilet flushing systems and washing machines. Cooking, showering and bathing, on the other hand, is still done with the high-quality water from the central waterworks ... which then turns back into gray water and supplies the corresponding applications. - A cycle that could hardly be more logical and efficient! Short wastewater routes, only low water and no #wastewater costs at all, as well as intelligent environmental and resource conservation make this well thought-out #water management system the perfect solution for the increasing #water shortage and the more extreme #climate change.

"Reduse, Recover, Reuse" is therefore also the name of the concept of the moment, which the #IWA International Water Association is propagating worldwide under the title "Water-wise Cities": The use of wastewater as a #rawmaterial source for the Recovery of water and the nutrients contained in the water.

Interesting and not unimportant in this context: Both as a private user with land and as a housing cooperative or company with increased #water requirements, the concept of #waterreuse pays for itself quickly, since the water and waste water costs are increasing at breakneck speed due to the decreasing #wateravailability . Increased privatizations in the water and sewage sector will further drive up prices and therefore make water sanitation even faster profitable.

Technical solutions are now so mature that even retrofitting of existing technology is usually possible without any problems - from decentralized sewage treatment plant systems in various dimensions (from 1 to 10,000 people households) to hygienization (grey water) with membrane bioreactors and UV modules .

Today we all have the opportunity to overcome the #watercrisis with goodwill, commitment and intelligent solutions. After all, it's about the future of all of us. Therefore: Let's tackle it together - side by side we can overcome the water crisis!