Head of UK's Environmental Agency Says People May Have to Drink Recycled Sewage Water Soon

Sir James Bevan, the head of the British Environment Agency, advised his countrymen to be "less squeamish" about the source of their drinking water.

He argued that repurposing wastewater for use in residential taps is one of the measures that should be taken into consideration to combat the drought that Britain is currently facing.

Reusing sewage water is entirely safe and healthy but not something that many people are interested in, Bevan wrote in a column for The Sunday Times of London.

Parts of Europe Are Experiencing Drought

The combustion of fossil fuels like oil and gas has contributed to climate change, which has made droughts more severe and caused exceptionally dry summers in several European countries. Now, devastating droughts are affecting parts of Europe, including the UK.

According to a report by The New York Times, some measures to conserve water were implemented in the UK last week. With below-average rainfall in 10 of the previous 12 months, it had its driest July on record.

The publication noted that water restrictions went into force last week, including a ban on using hoses or sprinklers to water backyard plants, fill swimming pools, or wash vehicles.

Meanwhile, this summer's heat waves have also caused water demand to reach record highs, according to Thames Water, which provides water to 15 million people in London and the Thames Valley.

Turn Sewage Water Into Drinking Water

In an effort to combat the region's deteriorating environmental conditions, Bevan advised his fellow Britons that they might soon boost their usage of recycled sewage water, according to a report by Futurism.

"We need to treat water as a precious resource, not a free good," he wrote in a column for The Sunday Times.

"We will have to be more selective about what we use drinking water for," Bevan said. "It makes no sense to use it to clean the car or water the lawn."

Bevan, however, acknowledged that people would not likely welcome his water-saving suggestions.

Water-Recycling Technology Is Already Being Used in the UK

Recycling water is already implemented in Britain. There are facilities that clean water before redistributing it to rivers.

However, according to a Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs spokesperson, this recycled water is not currently used for drinking water.

The spokesperson added that a public consultation on the proposals would take place in November after several companies in Britain submit their bids for wastewater recycling.

Other Ways to Conserve Water

There are many ways where you can conserve water, and that is not limited to turning sewage water into drinking water.

The head of the British Environment Agency said that showering rather than bathing was one of the ways to conserve water. Additionally, he advised against watering grass. He also said that people should consider using watering cans rather than hoses and purchase a water butt, a large container for collecting rainwater.