LA plans to recycle its sewage

Recycling has become increasingly popular in recent years with intrepid individuals finding ways to reuse almost everything but the city of Los Angeles wins first prize for their environmental zeal with their a new proposal to recycle the city’s sewage.

The proposal was generated by a growing need for fresh water supplies and a dwindling supply. The city has been affected by a persistent drought which has left it with less drinking water than it needs. Nor is Los Angeles alone. Many other cities in America are facing a similar situation and wondering what to do about water.
Ten years ago, Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, who is still in power, opposed a similar sewage recycling scheme because of safety concerns. The same man announced the same plan on Thursday, amidst other water budgeting measures for the city.

The population of LA is expected to increase by half a million by 2030. Over the same period of time, the entire state of California is expected to endure some of the most serious shortages of water in decades.

Recycled sewage is used in many locations across America for industrial use and in landscaping. Until today, however, the technological advances have not been available to make the water safe to drink.

Industry leaders claim the treatment, which involves chemicals and filtering, is able to make water purer than most tap water.

As a result, the procedure is being considered by San Diego and South Florida. A plant has already been opened, at the cost of $US481 million, in Orange County, California.