Recycled water has varying grades (levels of treatment) and can be matched with a particular need. Class A, the highest quality of reclaimed water, has been deemed safe to use for irrigation, commercial processes, fountains and ponds, toilets, and stream/wetland enhancement (just about anything not related to drinking water). The trend is to match the water supply with the required water usage.

Here in Washington, use of reclaimed water is allowed under the Washington Reclaimed Water Act, which was enacted in 1992 and then amended in 2007. The 2007 amendment required state agencies to utilize reclaimed water where feasible. The reclaimed water permitting process was streamlined in 2009. Reclaimed water has been used by Tukwila and Renton municipalities for street washing, and irrigating municipal fields and properties and for a wetland plant nursery. The City of Olympia has signed an agreement to use reclaimed water at Heritage and Marathon parks.

King County Government

But the opportunity to use reclaimed water is greatly increasing. The soon to open Brightwater treatment plant physically located in South Snohomish County will serve portions of King and Snohomish counties to provide sewage treatment. But merely treating raw sewage is not its only goal. By 2013, reclaimed water, as shown by the purple pipe lines in the adjacent map, can be distributed to a large area illustrated in the light purple area for crop irrigation, maintenance of sports fields and golf courses, and replenishment of low stream flows. Future reclaimed distribution pipes in the dark purple will provide even further access to reclaimed water to the west.

The goals of the original Washington Reclaimed Water Act are being realized, with more water reclamation on the way. While we in the lush Pacific Northwest have had the benefit of significant clean water sources, most of the world, and even many areas in the U.S., cannot make such a similar claim. Matching water quality/type to water usage is a smart and progressive idea that has significant benefits to us now and for future generations to come.

For more information about King County’s reclaimed water efforts, go to http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wastewater/ResourceRecovery/ReWater.aspx.

But there is something in our own sanitation habits that we in the developed world can change as well. It should come as no surprise that our sewer/waste treatment infrastructure in many local communities is getting a little old and very costly. Such infrastructure cost/management is usually done at very local community levels (albeit often with start up funds from federal or state money). No one should be surprised that local community coffers are strained beyond belief. So there is an economic incentive to innovate even for us that are used to flush toilets as a mere “right” of being a U.S. citizen.

While the developing world is the real target of the improved technology, our modern waste water treatment infrastructure systems (and building codes) are ready for a technology overhaul. I say congratulations and good luck to the Gates Foundation as they put serious money and emphasis on a rather unmentionable topic. The Foundation is looking at cutting edge technology that can turn human waste into fuel to power local communities, fertilizer to improve crops, or even safe drinking water. I hope that this significant attention (economic and general advocacy) brings much needed attention and important voice to a fundamental and universal human need. And doing so effectively, economically, efficiently, and improving water quality or decreasing need to use fresh potable water will be a significant benefit for all (nearly) 7 billion of us.