Does the idea of drinking treated wastewater make you queasy?

One of four sewage treatment processes at the Winnipeg's South End Water Pollution Control Plant stopped functioning Oct. 7, and city staff remain stumped as to how and why it broke down. (CBC)

A new study advocating the increased use of reclaimed water in the United States has some worried the idea of "toilet-to-tap" water will be hard for many people to swallow.

The study, published by the National Academy of Science, says that boosting the use of treated wastewater - also known as reclaimed water - could increase municipal water supplies in the U.S. by as much as 27 per cent.

"Expanding water reuse--the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes including irrigation, industrial uses, and drinking water augmentation--could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources," notes the report.

But the idea of knowingly drinking water that was once wastewater effluent might be the biggest hurdle to reclaiming wastewater on a wider scale.

The New York Times cites a 2004 poll commissioned by the San Diego County Water Authority that found 63 per cent of respondents opposed the reuse of water.

"The psychological side is often what's critical," psychologist Paul Rozin told National Geographic. "For tap water or bottled water, people tend not to think where it comes from. But for recycled water, they do."

Reclaimed water is already used around the world. In Orange County, Calif., a four-year-old system treats 70 million gallons of wastewater every day. And in Singapore, 15 per cent of its water supply comes from recycled sources.

People's fears about treated water might also stem from previous breakdowns at treatment centres. In December, problems at Winnipeg's South End Water Pollution Control Plant sent more than one billion litres of partially-treated sewage into the Red River.

Are you skittish about drinking reclaimed water? What source does most of your drinking water come from - the tap, bottled water, or something else? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments section below.


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)

Related Link: Who should pay for new sewage treatment plants?