Environment: Ways to Use Recycled Water

James Benning’s article in the South Bay edition, “Pitch Touts the Joy of Treated Sewage Water,” is unfairly critical of recycled water. This is one “new” water supply that actually has the potential to fill a good part of the huge water deficit predicted for the future of Southern California.

Yet Mr. Benning chooses pejorative and derogatory expressions to spice up his piece at the expense of a perfectly good source of water. Over several decades and hundreds of uses of this water, not one user has suffered financial loss or any health complaints. That is a very impressive record for a product about the raw origin of which Mr. Benning is constantly reminding his readers.

The fact is that all water is ultimately recycled water, millions of times over. Why insist on calling it “treated sewage water” when recycled water is so much more appropriate, accurate and attractive.

Do you ever call the newsprint on which The Times is printed “treated trash paper”? Of course not; The Times proudly reminds us that its newsprint contains recycled paper. Do you turn up your nose at the beer bottle or can made of recycled glass or aluminum? Never! Let us then not be so harsh with recycled water that is proved safe, reduces discharge into Santa Monica Bay, and provides relief from droughts that are sure to increase in frequency as we grow into an even bigger region.

THOMAS KUNZ

San Pedro