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Drought-Stricken Texas Town Taps Urine For Water

Posted by samzenpus on from the it's-important-to-stay-hydrated dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Texas is in the midst of a drought so severe that local water management teams have decided to distribute reclaimed wastewater (aka urine). The Colorado River Municipal Water District in West Texas has broken ground on a $13 million plant that will capture treated wastewater and ready it for redistribution. After being run through microfilters and undergoing reverse osmosis, slimy sewage is cleansed with peroxide and ultraviolet light. This intense process ensures that any pharmaceuticals and carcinogens are removed, and that the H2O stands up to drinking water regulations."

3 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. Draining a Reservoir by CWCheese · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And in Portland, they drain an entire reservoir after one guy takes a leak
    http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2011/06/16/Reservoir-drained-due-to-urine/UPI-10781308249177/

    --
    Have a Day!
  2. Far from first... by __aazsst3756 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Chanute, KS was the first in the US, from October 14th 1956 to March 14th, 1957. The water met microbial standards of the time, but was discontinued as soon as possible due to public acceptance.

    Windhoek, the capital of the Republic of Namibia (Sahara desert) recycles about 30% of their water to supply a population of 300,000 residents. They started in 1968.

    Not common, but far from a new idea.

  3. Re:Already used on space missions? by Duradin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    People would probably be rather suspicious of the sudden increase of its quality.