Photo byAmritanshu SikdaronUnsplash

Water conservation has become important. There are countries in the world that have been facing desertification and drought-induced desertification, while some have been facing excessive flooding, rains, and storms. Many are facing water shortages but somehow have made a comeback and are conserving more than ever.

One of the finest examples is Ethiopia. Despite having the river Nile flowing through it, it has decided to make dams, tributaries, and reservoirs. It has also started making water treatment plants in cities to help reduce wastewater and make it suitable for use in commercial farms, gardening, and other commercial uses.

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are following suit along with Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. Nigeria is facing such a crisis due to oil spills in the Niger Delta plus the Lagos Lagoon. Ever since it started cleaning them up, it has also opted for desalination plants in both Lagos and Port Harcourt whilst reducing wastewater in other cities too, especially Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, and Kaduna.

How are the developed countries faring?

Both Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are doing good in Asia. Instead of relying completely on desalination plants, they have started working on reducing water wastage and are treating water at multiple levels before it is discharged into rivers, lakes, streams, and of course, the sea.

The Netherlands is leading by example in Europe. After the completion of the Delta works and seeing agriculture and aquaculture of greater importance, the country has deployed water treatment plants across the country. These plants have been treating water at multiple levels, making it potable albeit for agriculture, horticulture, and other purposes. 

The country has separate lines for potable and wastewater. Though only Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht are showcased for their water conservation tactics, the southern industrial cities of Eindhoven, Enschede, Kerkrade, and Tilburg have also done quite well in recycling and treating wastewater.

Germany and Poland are also doing good. They are treating industrial discharge and wastewater for use in commercial agriculture and gardening. They also treat the wastewater even further before it is discharged into lakes, rivers and of course, the sea. Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine along with Greece, Turkey, and Albania are also following suit.

How is the United States faring in this matter?

The United States isn’t exactly far behind. However, experts say work needs to be done. Yet the Republican states are doing better in this matter than the Democrat states. Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Oklahoma, The Carolinas, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee have been doing quite well in water conservation, sanitation, and treatment.

Project advisory experts have been observing issues in California, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico. California faced a megadrought and has also seen an exodus of citizens. Some experts cried about the Colorado River being dwindling but that has been proven to be false. Lake Mead is still there. 

Somehow, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that California isn’t properly managing wastewater treatment and water management. San Diego and Escondido fare better than Los Angeles whilst Sacramento, Palo Alto, San Jose, San Ramon, Fremont, Oakland, and Marin County are doing better than half of the Bay Area, especially San Francisco.

Desalination plants are already in the Bay Area. Oregon and Washington are considering it. However, the state of Washington has decided to be more efficient and sincere in water conservation efforts and is adopting some policies of the Republican states to make things better. 

Critics are somehow not in favor of desalination plants. They are arguing that Oceans, seafood sources, flora, and fauna of marine life will be affected. Experts believe that only a small amount of seawater is desalinized keeping many concerns in mind.

This is why they have opted for a new generation of water-saving devices. Lawns are converted into xeriscaping. In California, greywater is being reused as a means of saving water and preventing wastage.

Greywater across the western states of the United States along with blackwater are treated at multiple stages. When blackwater is treated, it becomes greywater. Then the resulting greywater is again treated heavily to become potable and safe for agriculture, aquaculture, commercial use, industrial use, and of course, for some degree of residential use.

Now construction companies, property developers, and suburbs are going for wastewater treatment locally. A lot of residents wondered how they could decentralize the process, and repeatedly use treated water. Can it be done to help refresh, recharge, and replenish local aquifers? Let’s find out.

Why are construction companies interested in this?

Water is used for construction processes. The wastewater generated from construction sites is between grey and black water. A lot of it has residues of cement and construction materials. This has created conundrums for construction claims consulting professionals looking to avoid and resolve disputes.

This is why wastewater from construction sites is channeled into different lines. Usually, the wastewater is black and is often in need of intense treatment.

Defining various kinds of liquid gold of today i.e. water

First, let us have a good look at the various kinds of water available:

Potable Water

Potable water is worth using for safe use as it is clean and healthy. It comes from the kitchen sink tap and the shower. From the kitchen sink, it is used for drinking and washing dishes. It is quite valuable and suburbs are taking measures to save, store, and redistribute it.