National Research Council

The following viewpoint is an excerpt of a report from the National Research Council. The council contends that treated municipal wastewater effluent, also known as sewage sludge and reclaimed water, can be safely used as compost on farmland and to irrigate crops. It maintains that current technology and regulations ensure that the risk of chemical contamination of food grown using reclaimed water and sewage sludge is negligible.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the council, what are some of the nonagricultural uses of reclaimed water?
2. In the author’s opinion, why is the risk of human consumption of toxic chemicals from crops grown on sludge-treated land negligible"

The use of treated municipal wastewater effluent for irrigated agriculture offers an opportunity to conserve water resources. Water reclamation...