Drought forces city to recycle toilet water for drinking

If you were to say the water in Wichita Falls Texas tastes like, well, you know, it wouldn’t be far from right.

The city and much of Middle America has been struggling with drought conditions for several years.

That lack of water led to the recent decision to treat the wastewater and send it back to homes for drinking, cooking, and bathing. It’s a system some call “toilet-to-tap.”

Mayor Glenn Barham says if Wichita Falls doesn’t make this move, they could be out of water in two years. City managers also contend “the vast majority of water that enters a wastewater plant did not come from a toilet. It comes from sinks, and bathtubs and washing machines and dishwashers,”

They claim only about 20 percent will actually come from toilets.

That’s not much solace for many of the people living there.

"I think it's gross," Marissa Oliveras told KERA News.

Kira Smith agrees, “it definitely grosses me out,” she said.

Even while shuddering at the thought, Smith is trying to keep an open mind.

“I’m sure that they would clean it and filter it up to standards. But it’s a mindset kind of thing. You know what I’m talking about?”

Yes, Kira, we do.

Both women say they’ll switch to bottled water the moment the city makes the change.

More here.