Here’s a great article on Slate.com about drinking “recycled” water.
This is the future. I think in a generation or two, recycled wastewater or reclaimed water or whatever you want to call it will be a major part of drinking water sources in many parts of the world, especially the arid ones. Treatment technologies have improved so much in recent decades, that it makes no sense to send our treated wastewater downstream, away from its source. Chicago famously reversed the flow of rivers over 100 years ago, in order to get rid of its wastewater (heavy on the “waste” back then). Maybe we should start thinking about how to capture that water.
Embedded in the article is a great clip from a spoof ad for “Porcelain Springs: Water from the most peaceful place on Earth”, starring Jack Black. I’d also recommend reading the entire series on the “Thirsty West,” that this article comes from.