Using Water Reclaimed From Sewage

Re “Reclaimed Waste Water May Ease State’s Thirst,” Aug. 17:

I was portrayed as one of the “crusaders” for increased use of recycled water and as making “the point by gulping down a long, cool glass of tertiary effluent.” While the point is exactly correct, the imagery is misleading. I would gulp down tertiary effluent to demonstrate my confidence in its safety--if pressed to do so. However, I also would point out that tertiary effluent is not quite at the quality level for everyday drinking purposes. Water recycling agencies routinely alert the public not to drink from sources of recycled water.

It is possible and economically feasible to bring the water up to a potable level of quality with additional treatment--as correctly pointed out in the article. That elixir I would gulp down in a long, cool glass at the drop of the proverbial hat.

BAHMAN SHEIKH PhD, PE

San Francisco

* The use of reclaimed sewage water for industrial applications and for irrigating golf courses, freeway landscapes and appropriate crops is certainly to be commended. However, using inadequately treated and poorly monitored recycled waste water for potable purposes is quite another matter.

Placing such water in air conditioning systems, as California now allows, raises the possibility of involuntary exposure to harmful bacteria or other pathogens. Adding reclaimed sewage water to our aquifers and reservoirs without sufficient, fail-safe treatment and continual monitoring for viruses puts our scarce water supplies and our health at an unacceptable risk.

The addition of significant amounts of recycled waste water to our fresh water supplies results in elevated levels of total dissolved solids. Such salty or hard water may increase one’s plumbing repair costs and necessitate the use of larger amounts of detergents. Water with high salt content may also adversely affect one’s health and garden. Segregating reclaimed sewage water from fresh or potable supplies with a double-piping system, while costly, is the better way to go.

ELLEN STERN HARRIS

Fund for the Environment

Beverly Hills

* It’s fantastic that water agencies are making this important technology work well.

I think they are too concerned that the public is not ready for this. Eighty percent of the complaints will come from 20% of the people. I’d bet the other 80% of us have the common sense to see that reclaimed or “repurified” water is a good thing.

JOHN DELANEY

Aliso Viejo