Jun Wei (linkedin.com/in/jun-wei-goh-吴畯纬-1b290b88) is back this week as we continue the conversation about where our poop goes. In this episode, we learn that under a third of wastewater in Singapore undergoes the NEWater process to produce reclaimed water, which includes drinking water! We also cover wastewater surveillance, from its early utility as a tool to monitor drug use to how it can be used as an epidemiological tool in a pandemic. Last but not least, shoutout to all the environmental engineers and water agency staff who work tirelessly so that we don’t have to think twice about where our water comes from!

TLDR:  You are probably drinking poop water (at least in Singapore)! It is important to note that wastewater undergoes rigorous processes and a battery of tests and audits to ensure the safety of this high-grade, reclaimed water.

Disclaimer: This episode contains mildly explicit language.

Links:

https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/watertreatment

https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater

https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/bathing/srwg1.pdf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935121000426

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Credit for theme music: Fresh Time by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031