Environment

DISGUSTING: Texas Town Drinking Recycled Wastewater

Texas Town Drinking Recycled Wastewater

Bottled water distributers are probably the only group satisfied with one unfortunate, and particularly repulsive, product of the third worst drought in Texas history. Discovery News reports of the new source of drinking water in Big Spring:

“‘When you talk about toilet-to-(water) tank it makes a lot of people nervous and grossed out,’ says Terri Telchik, who works in the city manager’s office in Big Spring, Texas. Water for the town’s 27,000 residents comes through the Colorado River Municipal Water District, which has broken ground on a plant to capture treated wastewater for recycling.

‘We’re taking treated effluent (wastewater), normally discharged into a creek, and blending it with (traditionally supplied potable) water,’ district manager John Grant told Discovery News.

In essence, the system speeds up what would naturally occur with the flow of discharged water through wetlands, with more pristine results, Grant added.”

Southern California you’re next, as Discovery reports that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is considering a $700 million project to continue treatment of reclaimed water, currently used for irrigation and industrial uses, so that it can be injected into wells beneath the Hansen dam.

The U.S. segment of the International Space Station takes the premise even further as the station includes a tank that collects and filters urine to recover water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning among other uses.

(H/T: Gizmodo)

Comments (146)

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  • The46Percent2008
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:42am

    Well, what do you expect from the state of the Nub-horns?(longhorns). Texans are all disgusting, but they are my brothers in arms in this war to save America. Pull yourself together, man!

    Report Post » The46Percent2008  
    • srjim2000
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:01am

      I wonder how this is going to affect Glenns diet once he moves to Texas!?

      Of course, my dogs have always drank out of the toilet and it never hurt them – maybe this will be good for Glenn too?

      I can’t wait to hear what Stu has to say about this turn of events for Glenn!

      I’m sure the left will have a blast calling him a *potty mouth* now! LOL

      Report Post »  
    • Middle Finger
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:37am

      A punch and a handshake in the same paragraph. Ouch! I’m an Aggies fan myself. Yes, we are brothers in arms. Yes, this nation will survive.

      Report Post » Middle Finger  
    • nannyatnannydotgov
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:54am

      How much time have you spent in Texas? How many Texans do you know?

      What is disgusting is Nub-heads (you) making remarks like that. You call Texans disgusting and then call them brothers when it comes to saving America.

      I call for all Texans to help save America from Obambam, just for Nub-head. When you’re done, invite Nub-head down to Texas for a barbecue.

      Report Post » nannyatnannydotgov  
    • Brasil2520
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:40am

      A overpopulated city drinking toilet water, what next eating Soylent Green ?

      Report Post » Brasil2520  
    • Libby Tarian
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:46am

      If you do some investigation. The tap water in this whole entire country is polluted. There is not one water treatment plant that can remove excreted drugs from the water. There have been many articles on this subject.
      http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/biosolids.html

      Report Post » Libby Tarian  
    • heavyduty
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:00am

      Just to let you know that all of the people all over the world has been drinking waste water for a long long time. Just like land there is no more water on the earth than what is here now. It’s all been recycled over and over and over again.

      Report Post »  
    • drago
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:42am

      @the46percent2008
      I challange you or anyone else, to stand toe to to with me, or any “real” Texan, and call us disgusting.As far as the toilet water, to be added to the public water supply, it has to meet fed regs for purity, which means it will be treated, no one will be drinking “gray water”, common sense, which seems to be lacking in you and others, will tell you that….

      Report Post »  
    • bread and circuses
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:56am

      What is disgusting is you keeping your head up your arse.
      Water has been recycled on the earth for the last 3.5 billion years, so, in reality we are ALL drinking recycled waste water.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 7:57am

      @The46Percent2008

      From a transplanted Texan (originally from Missouri), does your name mean you’re a welfare recipient? About 46% of Americans don’t pay taxes. If you think Texans are so disgusting, come to Texas and say that to anyone. Texas is the only state, thus far, to hold a day of prayer for our country.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:02am

      @brasil2520….

      Overpopulated? It has a population of 25,233. My hometown in Missouri is bigger than that. Garland Texas has over 200,000 and you can’t tell when you leave Garland and enter Dallas without signs. I agree with the solent green comment.

      Report Post »  
    • KNaggieland
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:51am

      While you are it you can thank a Texan for the transistor that made it possible for you to have a computer so that you could post your ignorance about Texans. You can also thank them for NASA that brought you too many modern conveniences to count. You could also thank them for the farming technology that feeds the nation and the world. You can thank them for being so productive that half of the revenue from personal income tax collected in Texas ends up supporting other states.

      I personally think Texas shout shut down oil and gas production and shipments for 3 days just to see how many states go dark maybe send a message to DC and both of the uppity coasts. But Texas are far to gracious and polite for that.

      So on behalf of Texan everywhere I will just say, your welcome.

      Report Post »  
    • KNaggieland
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:59am

      Now how do you like that I was so mad I was making spelling errors. I am sorry for being so harsh I should have remembered my fine Texas graces. After all it is not your fault that your parents were close blood relatives. Bless you little heart.

      Report Post »  
    • JimCDew
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:28am

      Any city downstream form another city is drinking recycled waste water. Whats the big deal?

      Report Post »  
    • evenhand
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:42am

      Really though, if you look at a map and see the thousand(+) lakes in Texas….there is only one natural occuring one. All the rest are man-made. Texas of the Civil War era was one hot dry unforgiving place. If it were not for the dams and aquifer wells Texas could not support the population we have. In the old days drinking from the hoofprints of cattle was not unheard of. But Texacans are survivors. For sure.

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:33pm

      I would rather drink recycled wastewater than listen to another word out of Obama’s mouth. Anybody interested in buying a home in MN that has lost 30% of equity thanks to the progressives (Pelosi, Frank, Reid and Clinton), so that we can move to Texas?

      Report Post »  
    • WhatWasIThinking?
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:34pm

      Incredible. What the hell makes you say something like this? Tell me, are you a lib?

      Report Post » WhatWasIThinking?  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:36pm

      It’s unbelievable how stupid this story is, and the Blaze for thinking this is unusual.

      This is how water comes to us in nature all the time! All water is “recycled”. The fact that they are speeding up the process means absolutely NOTHING.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • CaptainKook
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:49pm

      Urinal Mandate in Obamacare
      June 14, 2011
      By John Deitrich
      (CPH)
      Hidden in the 3,000 pages of arcane legalese that is the Affordable Health Care Act, or Obamacare, is surprising language that could impact homebuilders and landlords in ways perhaps unforeseen, unless you take into account the width and breadth of the tendency for control of the Liberal mindset.

      New rules regarding sanitary standards for plumbing and waste management intended for hospitals and nursing homes are so broadly written that they can apply to almost any new construction of dwellings, office and manufacturing facilities and public venues like restaurants, bars, theaters, stadiums etc.

      There is no provision for grandfathering older facilities; in fact, any renovations requiring removal of plumbing or sewerage components for any reason will automatically trigger mandatory replacement of certain components with new, EPA-required so-called “green” components.

      The new rules require that all toilet facilities in the United States must be equipped with unisex urinals using no more than 6 ounces of water per flush, and the EPA requires the majority of American bathrroms to be so equipped by 2025.
      –
      Palin: Unisex urinals are perverted and unlady-like and are also Nazi-like
      (ABSN)
      July 27, 2011
      Tweeting on the matter yesterday, Governor Palin said “unisex urinals are perverted unladylike and might even be something like the Nazis had, you know, forced urinary equality or something”

      Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:51pm

      You would not make a bump on a Texans butt. You are the kind of low life that could not be paid to make that statement were a Texas present. You sound like an enemy instead of a Brother In Arms.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • HairOfTheDogSob
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:16pm

      Texas.then CA.looks like mexican brain power

      Report Post » HairOfTheDogSob  
    • macpappy
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:38pm

      Drought should not be an issue in the US, hell with the money Obama gave away and is giving away monthly to the welfare crowd we could build an aquaduct system that could catch water from moutain runoff, flood plains, and elsewhere. The US is always have drought in one area while suffering floods in other parts of the country. Talk about a shovel ready project, it make the Hoover Dam look like a beaver dam. Damn.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:56pm

      Hey 46 percent brain functioning…… It goes up…… it come down…… it goes up…… it come down. Your drinking is the same water George Washington drank. So, welcome to Texas.

      Report Post »  
    • Brasil2520
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:01pm

      LORIANN12

      Any city that only has enough water for half of its population, is overpopulated.

      Report Post » Brasil2520  
    • Nathan
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:02pm

      There are many misconceptions about Texans; and being brothers in arms against a lawless centralist regieme is not one of them. Howdy, brother!

      Report Post »  
    • READRIGHTHERE
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Don’t mess with Texas.

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on August 8, 2011 at 4:31pm

      Looks like these Patriots are the first to go truley green. Hope the president goes there with the press and honors these brave pioneers by taking the first drink followed by the press. Don’t know if the press will be able to taste the water since they have completely brown faces. This is a result of the president stopping to fast – chain reaction.

      Report Post »  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:33am

    You want some good filtered water go to some of the springs near Furnace creek in Death Valley. They have somehow figured out that the water coming out of the springs was rain in the Vegas area 100 years ago and it’s taken that long to seep underground to the springs.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:58pm

      They’ve been drinking recycled water in New Orleans for years. Last time I visited, I drank my own bottled water.

      Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:28am

    The only thing disgusting about this article is the writer’s lack of understanding of the science of reclaiming water – well, that and his poor writing skills. A journalist should know the difference between your and you’re.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
    • Hemmy23
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:17am

      @word weaver – the writer used you’re correctly (you are). Try commenting on the content of the article, we don’t need a grammar lesson.
      Now, recycling of the water seems logical, especially in the southwest where water is scarce. Good jobTexas!

      Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:26am

      Oh for the love of cheetos, wordweaver, nothing worse than the guy who monitors forums for grammar and spelling. Articles have been written at length about you….do you have something to contribute here?

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:16pm

      Yes, I know the difference in correct word usage, but when my mind is spinning to write a few sentences, I sometimes get ahead of myself, and even tho I was best typist in business college (on a manual typewriter yet) there are times I reach for wrong key, making ie: spend instead of spent, but most of us can read through the common type mistakes as this is not (thank goodness) graded. In a hurry to read more comments, and forget to check for typos & misspelled words. Honey, we do our best!

      Report Post »  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:19am

    Guess who else is drinking recycled waste water…

    Orange County, California!
    Some new gimmick that has cost home owners a fortune…
    for development and retooling of the entire waterworks system!

    The company made $$$ off the creating this prototype
    and now wants to sell the “green recycled waste water” idea
    to YOU and other nations around the globe!

    Get ready….this stinky water…for real!…
    may be coming to your town soon!

    Report Post »  
    • AmeriCat
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:25am

      This smelly recycled waster water is nothing like
      good ole reclaimed sea water, which is way better!!

      Report Post »  
    • LOLReally
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:16am

      Anyone else find it ironic that “Big Spring” needs to recycle wastewater? Or is the town based around a suspension manufacturer?

      Report Post »  
  • ObserverMI
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:14am

    Why did they label this ‘Disgusting’?

    Does Christopher Santarelli have no clue how many towns, cities, countries use reclaimed water? Know anything about the filtration that comes with it and just how good the water is, instead of trying to make it sound like your drinking poop? Come one, what a ludicrous and deceptive headline.

    Report Post »  
    • kindling
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:25am

      There is only so much water in the world and believe me it has ALL been througy many living things before it gets to us.

      Report Post » kindling  
    • AmeriCat
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:28am

      No. The headline IS appropriate!
      Don’t let your local government do this to YOU!

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:05am

      There used to be a sign in Cape Girardeau, Missouri: Flush, Charleston need the water. My brother worked at a waste water treatment facility.

      Report Post »  
    • Rebuild the Temple
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:37am

      Texas is so desperate for water right now. And this is NOT a new idea. Any one that has a septic system and a well knows this.

      And if BO is looking for some shovel ready jobs, why aren’t we building canals from the areas that frequently flood all the way down to the south were the water is disappearing. Sounds like a much better use of our money than the CRP program (just to name one of the wastes in govt)

      Report Post » Rebuild the Temple  
  • Tropla
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:13am

    Here in Curaçao we get our water from the process of reverse osmosis of seawater which contains excretions of animals in the water, including human beings. The water is drinkable and has a good taste.

    Report Post »  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:23am

      My drinking water comes from reverse osmosis as well. (Very small island in eastern North Carolina) And yes it is recycled water from the ocean.

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
  • lel2007
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:08am

    Reminds me of how pathetically dependent on infrastructure and technology I am. Not many, certainly not myself, know how to survive as the pioneers did. My grand parents grew up in an age where, by necessity, absolutely nothing went to waste. Perhaps we’ll all get to re-learn those skills one day.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • Danola
    Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:02am

    Just think of how much water would be available if only we were able to use the Mississippi River to supply water across the country. Millions of gallons of fresh water go into the Gulf of Mexico every second. There could be pipelines run all over this country to use. Just like the pipelines that run from Texas, through Louisiana and up to New York to supply gasoline and diesel to the east coast. But this will never happen. Not with this government. These farmlands will be abandoned and farmers will be bankrupt before the government comes in and buys the land. Then the water will be turned on and we will all work for the government.

    Report Post »  
    • cueball
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:12am

      i have wondered that for years. Thanks for the post!

      The stupid Politicians want to waste so much on “infrastructure” or other stupid non- constitutional programs that I don’t support, but piping water I could support.

      Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:36am

      You can’t drink the water directly from the Mississippi River. You could, but you wouldn’t want to do it. It’s full of clay. It’s some of the dirtiest, siltiest water you can find.

      People who live in Missouri can drink well water directly from the ground, though. Most of the state has a lot of natural limestone and coal in the ground. It makes for perfect natural aquifer and as a result the water is full of delicious minerals. The Greater St. Louis area has some of the best tasting, naturally filtered water in the country as a result.

      Water pumped from the Mississippi is first filtered and treated (usually with Lime).

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • jorja
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:03am

      Yeah, if only the stoopid politicians would let water run up hill.

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:59am

      Basically a good idea. Only pipelines all over the country would be expensive to build, operate and maintain. Some simple gravity powered canals (with siphons at certain locations) would, however be a great addition for some areas. A line from Missouri to the Texas Gulf Coast area would be very useful this year in particular.

      Report Post »  
  • miren
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:49pm

    Bottled water anyone?

    Report Post » miren  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:09am

      80% of bottled water is recycle waste water. And what do think filters those “spring waters”? Billions of years of waste and decay. It’s called carbon and we a planet could not survive w/out it.

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • vtxphantom
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:04am

      The less I know about my water supply, the better my mental health. It’s like hot dogs, They taste good, there great with mustard and catsup, and I don’t want to know what goes into them! I won’t touch organic foods!

      Report Post »  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:01pm

      Beer, BEER

      Report Post » circleDwagons  
  • greatdanes
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:45pm

    Gee Isn’t that Nice. Sounds like we have too many people in the country but why would anyone think
    this could be a problem. Fire laws restrict how many people can be in a building for fire safety Why
    would you restrict the number of people coming into your Country. Open Borders Group thinks everyone should go where they want……..the same crowd that has Lost the AAA credit Rating for USA. Liberal Progressives are Destroyer of anything they touch.

    Report Post » greatdanes  
    • ObserverMI
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:10am

      GreatDanes….
      We are ‘not’ overpopulated. Have you seen how much land we have? Far more ‘unoccupied’ than occupied. So stuff your inaccuracies.

      “Why would you restrict the number of people coming into your Country”

      It‘s called being ’smart’. We welcome ‘legal’ entries into our country so again, whats your point? Would you allow just anyone in your home? Didn’t think so.

      And by the way, what does any of this have to do with the subject of reclaimed water?

      Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:34pm

    ALL water is recycled

    morons

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • drago
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:56am

      Only intelligent comment ive seen here, ty Psychosis!

      Report Post »  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:32pm

    Every drop of water on this planet is recycled waste water.

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:30pm

    I won’t Drink to that

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:30pm

    Just think people the water in DC, Did BO p e e in it???

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • drattastic
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:19pm

    Correct me if I‘m wrong but isn’t all water that is used including toilet water ,piped to a waste water treatment plant ,run through the system and put back into rivers ,creeks etc.. which is then sucked into the water treatment plant down river into the next town to be sent through their filtering system and piped to your house for use and the process starts over again. We are all drinking ,cooking and bathing in toilet water folks.

    Report Post » drattastic  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:52am

      your pretty close

      generally they locate the incoming water above the outgoing but , i guess if your down river …………

      the water coming out of a filtration plant is cleaner than the river water it is dumped into

      Report Post » Psychosis  
  • AlansTigg
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:15pm

    well ya know…ALL water is recycled water…not like there is some original source faucet people turn on when they want pure water

    Report Post » AlansTigg  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:11pm

    It’s not Southlake is it? (Just had to)

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
  • sooner12
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:10pm

    This may become potable water but what about the smell?

    Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:09pm

    This IS a solution. All arid land areas need to adjust to the idea. It is part of the water management answer.
    The Space Station has been practicing this for years.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • BONETRAUMA
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:07pm

    Drink beer.

    Report Post »  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:41pm

      And if you‘re drinking Coors you’ll be adding Rocky Mountain spring water to your local water supply.
      Win- Win.

      Report Post » GdHUs  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:06pm

    They are doing what they have to do. If you were thirsty you would drink it.
    Next up….a pipeline from the Great Lakes to the southwest. That way you all down there will get to taste what Clevelands’ Cuyahoga River (sewer) taste like. Or maybe the Detriot River.
    Hold your noses!

    Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:28pm

      Way ahead of you there…God Bless Texas, but y’all not getting our water. You can have all the Asian Carp you want, but no water pipe line.

      Now, just think about what I wrote. Are you really prepared to take care of your own families???

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:42pm

      I have multiple 50 gallon drums stored and 9000 gallons in my swimming pool (drinking quality).
      Fully expecting our water supply to be attacked.

      Report Post »  
  • johnsell
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:06pm

    Say folks, does your water taste different lately?

    Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:01pm

    Is the drought affecting the Colorado river? Then why are they drinking recycled waste-water?

    Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:00pm

    “Got Milk?”

    Report Post »  
  • boxy
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:58pm

    Maybe Disgusting is not the best title for this. They are in a drought so it might just be necessity.

    Report Post »  
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