Tip for recyclers: Water, water, everywhere

IN THEIR March 9 op-ed "Preventing a water crisis" Mindy Lubber and Peter Gleick overlooked a major concept that can be used to reduce the demand for fresh water: water reuse, or the recycling of waste water. The technology exists to make municipal waste water and many industrial waste waters safe for much of our nonpotable use and, in certain circumstances, even for drinking water.

Many water-short areas in this country and around the world have been practicing water reuse for generations. Most waste water treatment plants constructed today are called water reclamation plants. At the Deer Island treatment plant in Boston Harbor, approximately 45 million gallons per day of effluent are recycled for what is called "plant water," which is employed for washing equipment and other nonpotable uses.

Reclaimed waste water for nonpotable uses saves pristine water for drinking, cooking, and other potable uses. In an office building, for example, up to 90 percent of the water supply goes to toilet and urinal flushing and other non-potable uses. Many office buildings in California have dual plumbing systems to facilitate reuse.

Although the Boston metropolitan area has an adequate supply of water, sooner or later water reuse may be the only environmentally - and politically - acceptable option.

John Elwood
Bourne

The writer is a retired engineer with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

MINDY LUBBER and Peter Gleick (Op-ed, March 9) made a compelling case for the need for businesses and investors "to bring new ways of thinking to using the most essential ingredient of life: water."

About eight months ago, I started recycling water in my home. After only three months, my water bill was reduced by 50 percent. Although recycling water may seem inelegant at first, it sure will help preserve this natural resource.

First, I put a waste paper basket in the shower to catch water. I use water collected from my morning shower for plants, to flush the toilet, and to soak gritty dishes, pots, and pans before washing.

I also stopped letting the water run down the drain in the bathroom sink when I wash my face and hands or brush my teeth. I have a plastic container to catch and recycle water there, too.

As a one-person household, it takes longer to use up collected water. A family could find it easier to reuse water, and could turn this activity into a lot of fun.

I plan to buy a storage tank designed to catch rainwater and to which I could add recycled water from the house. A hose could be attached to water the lawn or to fill up a wading pool.

Every day, I'm amazed at how much less I turn on the faucet.

Jeanne Belovitch
Providence