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04.27.11

Increased Water Self-Sufficiency in the Northwest

Two recent articles pointed out efforts in the Northwest to increase water recycling and thereby increase water self-sufficiency. In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality is developing proposed rules for the reuse of graywater, or non-potable water. In Washington, an elementary school in Seattle is taking the bold step of attempting to unplug from the municipal water and sewer system to collect, recycle and reuse water and wastewater on site, a concept often referred to as net zero water.

At both the state level and the local level, these actions are serving as important examples of efforts to more carefully use our finite water resources.  These projects also help reduce the flow of wastewater to rivers and the ocean.