| | DECEMBER 20199in southern Africa, is plagued by drought and wa-ter scarcity. But, it's also a country that continues to make progress in wastewater recycling. The city's only solution was to do what hadn't been done any-where else before: take water directly from the sewage treatment plant and treat it until it's safe enough to drink. Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, started using treated sewage as drinking water way back in 1968 till date successfully.While acceptance of treated sewage for drinking could receive significant public apprehension, effec-tive treatment and recycling of treated waste water for non-potable purposes like agriculture and industrial purposes could free up the fresh water to be utilized for drinking purposes. In Singapore, treated waste water (NEWater) is injected into reservoirs to allow it to mix with rain-water before being collectively treated at the water treatment plants for potable use. Over the years, PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency has expanded NE-Water supply capacity to meet up to about 40 percent of Singapore's total water demand. Future plans aim to increase NEWater capacity to meet up to 55 percent of total water demand by 2060.Extract: After conserving, recycling and utilizing the available water resources optimally, extraction of fresh water from the sea by desalination could be re-sorted to, to cover up the shortfall. Sea water desali-nation, though energy intensive is a viable option, if it is applied judiciously after carrying out all of the above measures.Remember, we only have a limited stock of fresh water. Every drop counts. We can mint and earn mon-ey. The only way to generate more water sustainably is by conserving it. The more you save it, the more you'll have it! WATER SECURITY SHOULD BE OUR BIGGEST FOCUS, AS IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS FOOD SECURITY AND WITH IT THE VERY EXISTENCE OF HUMAN LIFE
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