Aquifers are nature’s underground water storage system. Think of them as Earth’s water savings account—we can deposit treated water here for future use!
In places where these underground spaces have been overdrawn, purified recycled water is used to replenish them through a process called indirect potable reuse (IPR).
This purified water, which is protected from evaporation and surface contamination, travels slowly through natural soils for months, gaining additional filtration before being treated again to rejoin our drinking water system. It’s a partnership between engineering and nature that’s helping secure our water future.
Despite its $10 billion industry status, bottled water’s success relies heavily on marketing that harms public confidence in tap water.
Here’s the surprising truth: U.S. tap water often faces stricter oversight than bottled water, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state regulators enforcing comprehensive quality standards.
While bottled water is subject to less rigorous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, our tap water—including purified recycled water— undergoes extensive monitoring to for safety and quality.
When evaluating water reuse investments, we must look beyond direct costs to see the bigger picture. While communities once relied on relatively inexpensive water resources, those days are fading. New water supplies often require massive infrastructure projects, like cross-state pipelines or coastal desalination plants, driving costs higher and higher.
In this context, potable reuse emerges as a practical investment. When compared to other alternative water supplies, purified recycled water often proves more cost-effective while providing something invaluable: reliability and resilience. Business leaders and economists increasingly recognize that a secure water supply is fundamental to a region’s economic vitality and quality of life.
What’s the true value of water reuse? It’s best measured in thriving businesses, stable property values, and communities confident in their water supplies.
