Water Reuse Revolution

Advanced treatment can purify sewage past natural drinking-water quality, yet most communities still throw that water away. The main barrier left is psychological resistance, not technology.

Singapore's NEWater program recycles wastewater through microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet treatment to meet up to 40 percent of national demand. Israel goes further, reusing over 85 percent of its wastewater for farming — versus less than 1 percent in most countries — making reuse a backbone of its food production.