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A. Summary of Current Events (collected via Internet)
1. NEWater (Reference 1 and 2)
Since January 2003, Singapore has been utilizing waste-water renewal program in order to reuse their wastewater for drinking purposes. This recycled water, called NEWater (sic), is Singaporeﾕs response to Malaysian governmentﾕs threat to raise prices, as well as Singaporeﾕs continual struggle to establish autonomy in water supplies. NEWater is created by undergoing three processes: 1. Conventional wastewater treatment, 2. Micro filtration and 3. Reverse Osmosis.
Singapore is a city-state with a population of approximately 4.5 million people. Due to its geographical location, Singapore must constantly struggle with a limited water supply; since 1961, the city-state has been purchasing water from Malaysia. Yet, due to threats by the Malaysian government to raise prices, the Singaporean government has taken drastic measures to implement this technology.
2. WHO reports concerning water supply and sanitation (Reference 3)
WHO notes that there are several constraints, which contribute to the failure of water supply systems. They are:
1. Poor organizational structures in the responsible agency2. Inappropriate technology
3. Lack of trained aid
4. Lack of political will
Failure to recognize defects of current excreta management systems
5. Ineffective promotion and low public awareness
Many developing nations facing vast problems concerning water, show the abovementioned characteristics.
Moreover, it is possible to see that there are various problems which result from these problems. First, it is possible to contract disease from contaminated water, i.e. diarrhea. Second, water goes unaccounted for, when it is lost through poorly-maintained pipes, hence resulting in lack of water supply or failed irrigation systems. Last, poor water services result in poor sanitation services, which again, result in contracting disease. Regardless of the problem, it is obvious that these problems concerning water cause immense grief to residents within developing nations.
3. Reverse Osmosis: Its Benefit (Reference 4)
American Ref-fuel, located near Philadelphia, generates 75 megawatts of electricity by burning 3,300 tons of trash per day. The electricity is generated by a boiler, which generates steam to turn a turbine. Granted, treating the water before utilizing it in the boiler is crucial, for inorganic materials within the water can cause unnecessary buildup inside the boiler chamber. Boilers do not work efficiently with mineral buildups. In addition, large amounts of demineralizing chemicals must be used in order to remove the minerals from the water.
By utilizing reverse osmosis, a process where water is driven through a semi-permeable membrane by pressure, the water is efficiently treated. This has caused several benefits. First, less chemicals need to be used to treat the water. Second, less concentrated water must requires special disposal requirements. Third, there is decreased likelihood of leaking tubes and cleaning of boilers. Lastly, less time can be spent on monitoring the boiler activity, since cleaner water is possible by reverse osmosis. The surmount benefit is of course, decreased costs of almost $52,982 per annum. Hence, it is possible to see that utilizing reverse osmosis to treat water is a relatively cheap method which can bring economic benefits.
4. Water Reuse- Its Benefit (Reference 5)
Reclaimed water, if utilized in a safe and environmentally responsible manner can yield immense benefits:
1. Enhance or maintain fish runs consistent with the regionﾕs Endangered Species response2. Supply additional water for the regionﾕs non-potable and indirect potable uses
3. Preserve environment and aesthetic values
Hence, it is immediately possible to see that reused water can bring environmental and health benefits.
B. What is going on in current events?
By reading the various articles mentioned above, utilizing various technologies to reuse water is a cost-efficient, environmentally-sound, and sanitarily beneficial way to preserve precious water.
Moreover, clean water is important for various aspects of our lives, from proper sanitation conditions to survival. WHO warns us of the debilitating effects that unsanitary water and its related infrastructures have on developing nation citizens.
Hence, it is encouraging to hear of the Singaporean governmentﾕs success in effectively recycling wastewater. It allows us to assume that this technology can have further implications for both developed and developing nations.
B. What can humans do, from a global perspective?
As previously mentioned, the most important problem is the condition of water concerning developing nations. I will propose three solutions, which international organizations, such as the United Nations, and developed nations can do.
First is donating reverse osmosis technology, or its related-facilities seen in the likes of Singapore, to developing nations. United Nations, or the developed nations themselves can purchase and provide the developing nations with this efficient method of reusing water. Considering that reverse osmosis is quite cost-efficient, as well as environmentally friendly, there are no severe trade-offs for utilizing this technology in developing nations. Moreover, having proper water-reusing infrastructure from the start will create a firm foundation for the respective developing nation.
Second, developed nations should shift their focus on their ways of providing aid to developing nations by focusing on developing various water-treatment facilities. In the status quo, there is a lot of focus on large-scale construction of roads, dams et al. Though these infrastructures are necessary, the development of water-treatment facilities, as well as water-recycling facilities will benefit the entire population immediately. Proper wastewater treatment will improve health and sanitation immediately. Proper drinking water will allow for improved health, as well as lowering the infant mortality rate (there would be no more mixing unsanitary water with baby milk formulas) and the efficient management of hospitals. (H.I.V. Drugs, AIDS Drugs require clean water)
Third, international agencies, such as UNESCO, should take a more aggressive approach towards educating developing nation inhabitants concerning water. This solution is interrelated to the two abovementioned solutions, for proper utilization of water-related infrastructure is essential. Without education, all of the infrastructure would go to waste. Yet, if education of water proliferates throughout the developing world, health, sanitation, and environmental benefits are immediately achievable.
C. How can we act locally?
After careful contemplation, I have reached the conclusion that I am very lucky to live in a country with abundant supplies of water. Yet, because of my luck, it is especially important for me to think of ways to act locally to maintain and perhaps improve our water quality. I have two proposals.
First, I propose to strictly watch over my use of water. I shall:
1. Not pour wastewater containing oil or excessive foodstuffs down the drain.2. Properly dispose of chemicals.
3. Efficiently utilize water, while bathing.
4. Reuse bathing water for use in washing machines.
By cutting on wasteful use of water, as well as decreasing the amount of wastewater being discharged from my household, I will be putting less of a strain on the water-treatment facilities of the Tokyo Metropolitan government. Not only does it bring down the operational costs, but it is environmentally sound.
Second, I propose to pressure my local legislature to pressure (via the power of votes, or writing letters to our local politicians) the Tokyo Metropolitan government to initiate research into possible utilization of reverse osmosis, as well as other practices already implemented by the Singapore government. Considering the fact, that Tokyo is the most densely populated city in the world, proper management and reusing of water is imperative. Decrease in water-treatment costs, will resonate in our tax contributions to the Metropolitan government- Read: lower taxes.
Thus, it is possible to initiate practices of using water more efficiently, as well as initiating the research into reusing water, just as the Singaporean government has done. By doing so, it is possible that a more efficient, cleaner water-source can be provided for the Tokyo citizens.
References
1. Asia: Introducing newater; Singapore and Malaysia Economist. 11 Jan. 2003: 51.
2. NEWater- Sustainable Water Supply:
<http://www.pub.gov.sg/NEWater>
3. Sustainability and Optimization of Water Supply and Sanitation Services.
World Health Organization. 23 Jan. 2003.
<http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wss/sustoptim.html>
4. Trash to Cashﾓ Plant Uses Reverse Osmosis to Make More Money.
Lyons, Tom. 2002. Osmonics. 23 Jan. 2003.
<http://www.osmonics.com/products/Page1175.htm>
5. Water Reuse Program.
King County Regional Wastewater Services Plan. 23 Jan. 2003.
<http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/rwsp/approved/reuse.htm>