Water Treatment Systems That Are Sustainable

Water.  It's more valuable than gold, by far.  None of the life we know would exist without it.  Currently, the dominant system of water utilization in industrialized countries and in much of the developing world handles this resource in a way that can only be called insane.  There are few places in the world that are not experiencing water shortages, and sources of clean drinking water grow ever more scarce as populations grow and as we pollute the dwindling supplies of clean water.  Nor does it seem that governments, which are supposed to protect people, are doing much about this situation as we continue to defecate into drinkable water and flush it "away"- away in most cases meaning out into the environment and into our water supply.  This article seeks to create awareness on better water treatment systems, systems that offer a way to stop the destructive ways we use water and reverse the damage that has been done.  There are myriad ways to relate to water in a way that is sustainable, practical, and healthy which we will discuss.  Solutions at all levels are already in existence, including sustainable home water treatment systems, waste water treatment systems, industrial water treatment systems, drinking water treatment systems, municipal water treatment systems, and just about any kind of water treatment system that is called for.  This article will focus on what we can do in our own homes to make a difference that will make a positive impact on the environment as well as reduce our own costs.  In fact, by catching and storing water, making use of greywater, and composting our waste, we close the loop on water waste and pollution and utilize water in a way that is 100% sustainable.

Reusing Water

One of the best ways to ease the burden on ineffective municipal water treatment systems is to make use of our greywater. Greywater is the water that comes from our sink and shower, and can be used to water plants as well as for flushing toilets. Water that comes into contact with human waste is deemed black water, and cannot and should not be used for plants. But water from our sinks, if we use non-toxic, biodegradable soaps and cleaners, is actually better for plants. There are many greywater treatment systems, but it is also possible that you can just have a system which uses a simple filter to take out the larger chunks of matter, letting the water flow to your yard, trees, or vegetable garden. The simplest systems have the sink water flow directly into the garden. In this way, you save twice- the greywater does not have to be treated at a plant using harsh chemicals and energy-intensive methods, and you don't have to use extra water to water the plants in your yard. These savings also mean an easing of the burden on the municipal water supply.
For a great resource on the subject of greywater and finding the appropriate resource for you, check out Art Ludwig's great book "Create an Oasis with Greywater".

Getting Water

Art also is the author of the excellent and useful book "Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use", which lays out how to capture, store and use water from the sky. You will usually be able to use this water directly for watering plants and other needs, but using it for home consumption like cooking and cleaning will require a drinking water treatment system of some sort.

Taking Care of "Business", Ours

And we must have a final word about the biggest culprit in personal water waste and pollution. No, it's not showers. It's the completely unnatural way we take care of one of our most basic natural processes, which is defecation. No animal besides human beings will urinate and defecate into its own supply of drinking water, yet for millions of people across the globe, this is a fact of life. Things were not this way before the invention of the flush toilet in the 1800s, and they don't have to be this way now. The best way to deal with our waste is to compost it. That's right. We have an almost instinctive reaction of aversion to this idea, but a closer examination shows that there's no reason to be afraid of our poop once it's been properly and thermophilically broken down into rich, nutrient-laden compost for the garden. The heat produced by bacteria in a compost pile that's done right will break down all disease pathogens that may be of concern. Joe Jenkins lays out all the how-to as well as puts your concerns to rest in a scientifically sound and entertaining manner in his classic "The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure". Check the book out and learn how you can save tons of water each year while producing great soil for the garden, all while preventing one huge and horrendous source of water pollution.

With the water treatment systems outlined in this article, you have at your disposal the key required elements of creating a water treatment system that allows you to be largely or completely self-reliant when it comes to water (to be fair, you are relying on nature).  Check out the resources mentioned in the article, do more research, and find a way to make the systems work for your living situation.