Water conservation advocates say it may not be long before public drinking water systems begin tapping the effluent from toilets as a supply source.

The idea is not that far-fetched. In fact, a public water system in Orange County, Calif., has been dispensing purified sewer water through thousands of faucets in southern California homes since January.

The public utility, the largest of its kind in the world, “scrub cleans” treated wastewater as a way of replenishing freshwater supplies. The plant has become a model that has attracted global interest.

Some might be inclined to believe the abundance of water in eastern Oklahoma and relatively small population will prevent such a need here. At least one Oklahoman, however, weighed in on the topic during the Oklahoma Water Research Institute’s first round of public meetings designed to help determine the issues that will be addressed by the state’s comprehensive water plan.

“We turn up our nose and make horrible noises when this is suggested,” said an unidentified Oklahoman who posted the comment electronically on the institute. “Recycled water has to be considered at some point as a viable water source for blending.”

Communications Director Jeri Fleming of the Oklahoma Water Research Institute said the issue of treating wastewater as a resource for safe drinking water came up more than once. The institute, which is assisting the Oklahoma Water Resources Board with what will become the state’s comprehensive water plan, conducted 42 local input meetings this past year seeking public input.

“There was talk about treating it (wastewater) enough to be usable and possibly running two lines — one for potable water and another that would not be unsafe for drinking — to homes,” Fleming said. “Others said we need to treat it enough to be used to recharge the aquifers.”

Mike Paque, executive director of the Oklahoma City-based Ground Water Protection Council, said the idea of recharging underground aquifers has merit not only for treated wastewater but stormwater as well.

“We think that in the right areas this can be a very useful tool,” Paque said of what he refers to as aquifer storage and recovery. “It’s not going to be the be all to end all, but it can be useful if treated water is injected into groundwater supplies.”

The concept, Paque said, should not be limited to wastewater treatment. He said any comprehensive water policy should include a plan to capture, treat and inject stormwater into subsurface aquifers during periods of heavy rainfall.

“Why let it all run downstream and into other states,” Paque said.

The idea, Paque said, is one he and the nonprofit organization he leads believes is worthy of consideration as the state hammers out its comprehensive plan that will guide water policy decisions for at least the next 50 years. He cautioned, however, that implementation should be site-specific to guard against water quality degradation within existing aquifers and cost efficiency.

In addition to the public comments regarding the recycling wastewater as a source of drinking water, Fleming said the issue was addressed by an Oklahoma high school student who submitted an essay in a contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Water Research Institute. The essay discusses a three-stage filtration system developed by a Singapore company that transforms wastewater to tap water.

“This is something that is definitely being talked about, and it will be one of the issues that will be ranked in importance at the regional meetings,” Fleming said. “If it ranks among the top issues, it will be something that will be considered during the development of the comprehensive plan — it’s up to the people.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at 918-684-2903 or Click Here to Send Email