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I'm a scientist. I have no issues with the process of turning sewage water into clean drinking water. Absolutely none. However, I do have an issue with humans
by leeHS 15y ago
I'm a scientist. I have no issues with the process of turning sewage water into clean drinking water. Absolutely none. However, I do have an issue with humans. Humans screw things up. Humans don't always implement the proper quality assurance programs, and when they do, they might not follow them. Every time I pour myself a glass of water from the tap, it's not the science I'll doubt, I'll just be wondering if Timmy down at the local water treatment plant did his job properly today, because if he didn't, I'm now drinking someone's shit.
- ahi 15y ago"Whoah Timmy, that stuff is expensive! The inspector doesn't take samples until the end of the month so go easy on the disinfectant until then will ya?" says Ned the beancounter. True story though my google fu is failing me. The failure modes are not equal. Timmy cuts corners with river/aquifer water and I get some very diluted nasty shit. Timmy cuts corners with waste water and I get some very concentrated nasty shit.
- mikeash 15y agoThat might actually be an argument that fewer shortcuts would be taken since the consequences would be so dire. Ned is willing to take shortcuts on river water because it's likely that nothing will happen, but if he's smart, he won't make that same statement with sewage. (Not saying this is any sort of guarantee, just thought it was an interesting thing to consider.)