Reusing Sewage: A Step Too Far?

沙田濾水廠

We live in a world which has become incredibly concerned with what we throw away. The amount of waste that we produce is having a dramatic effect on our planet and this is infringing on our lives.

Many countries and governments are struggling to contain the problem of waste and where to dispose of it safely, meaning that innovative and clever systems must be created to enable us to dispose of our waste in the right manner.

Self-sufficiency has captivated many of us who now seek to find ways of reusing this waste to ensure that we give our planet a chance to regain some of its former glory.

Scientists are constantly searching for new and innovative ways of reusing waste, meaning that we will use less of the earth’s natural substances to protect it for future generations.

An area which experts are concentrating their efforts on is sewage waste. They are investing great amounts of time and money into finding ways to turn this waste into a reusable source of energy and sustenance for agriculture, industry and even mankind.

This blog will examine how scientists are using sewage waste to support and sustain important areas of our lives like farming and agriculture.

Sprinkling the Crops With Sewage

One area which has benefited greatly from using sewage is the farming and agricultural industry.

Sewage retains some nutrients which can be used as a fertiliser to promote the growth of crops and other vegetation on farms. By spreading sewage onto farmer’s fields, agriculture successfully uses a waste product which would otherwise become a challenge for industry and governments to dispose of properly.

Schematic drawing from a typical sewerage treatment plant.

English: Schematic drawing from a typical sewage treatment plant via subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SFCW) for a productive and economical treatment and reuse of sewage and water. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This environmentally sound way of reusing waste is believed to be beneficial and helpful to the wider community.

Interestingly, human waste is nutrient rich and somewhat safe to use to promote the growth of farm vegetation. However, this waste can often be mixed with industrial waste in sewage treatment plants.

Industrial waste is usually contaminated by toxic pathogens and this has lead to enormous debate about whether farmers should use this waste on their food sources which are intended for human consumption. Yet, regardless of this there are tight regulations on the recycling of waste and sewage treatment is closely monitored to ensure that what is reused is fit for use on farmer’s fields.

Would You Drink it?

Undoubtedly, the idea of drinking water which has been recycled from sewage is one which appears revolting and off-putting to almost all of us. Yet, some countries are using this technique to create a water supply which means that they do not need to depend heavily on the water supply of a neighbouring country.

Singapore is one country which is leading the way in recycling sewage and wastewater to create a self-sufficient water supply to reduce dependency on Malaysia. The recycled wastewater is used predominantly to power industry and support infrastructure; however it is also more regularly coming out of the countries taps and is feeding the main water supply.

Technology has only recently reached a point where some governments are happy to use wastewater-purification systems. These systems allow countries like Singapore to create their own self-sufficient water supply when their existing supply from another country is jeopardised. As natural water sources are drying up across the world, it makes total sense that more and more countries will start to use these purification systems to sustain their populations and industries.

Sewage treatment map and design

These systems could be the answer to many countries problems regarding water shortage and supplies. The only question is: would you consider drinking recycled sewage water?

Sally Dimmock is a writer who has a keen interest in the environment and self-sufficiency. She believes that by investing in sewage treatment systems, many countries can sustain their populations and industries whilst protecting the environment.