Chicago businesses should recycle water, just like nature intended

Think about how many times you used water before noon today.

Maybe you showered, had a cup of coffee or washed the dishes.

During all of that, did you ever question the cleanliness of the water or consider what you would do if the tap stopped flowing?

Oct. 23 is Imagine a Day Without Water 2019, a campaign to educate Americans about the value of water. But conserving and protecting the world’s water is a year-round task, made more serious by climate change and rising temperatures. Now is the time to take big steps to ensure clean, safe and healthy waterways, like water recycling.

No, there’s no container in the alley for used water, but we at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District see discarded water as an opportunity to reduce our water usage.

Incorporating discarded water into non-potable purposes has a tremendous impact on the sustainability of our waterways. That’s why I’m calling on businesses to evaluate their use of potable water and identify opportunities to incorporate discarded water.

For example, manufacturing and other industrial facilities don’t need clean water for cooling purposes. Golf courses and landscapers don’t need to water the greens with drinking water. Restaurants could use dish water for toilet flushing, and construction sites can control dust with used water.

The idea of re-using water might seem a bit extreme, but it’s actually a completely natural process that is part of the water cycle: Precipitation becomes groundwater in our lakes and streams, and groundwater evaporates back into the atmosphere to become precipitation again.

Small steps, like turning the water off when you brush your teeth, are important. But let’s consider big steps that can make a lasting impact.

Let’s encourage industries to follow nature’s lead and protect our water for future generations.

Mariyana Spyropoulos
Commissioner and former president
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.

Striking teachers want a better CPS

The teachers of Chicago Public Schools are fighting for the students of Chicago Public Schools. And they are looking to support all students for many years to come.

The Sun-Times editorial board wants to focus on this year’s sports teams who will not be able to play in the postseason. We do not want to punish them. But after years of public school neglect, they are the unfortunate victims.

And if they are truly qualified, is this really going to affect their future? Are the current students truly going to suffer on their tests this year because of the strike? Did you really ask that?

The teachers on strike, as well as the other supporting unions, community members and parents, are simply asking for the support of the city, to make CPS something that will prepare the students for the future, and truly make this city a strong one, in more ways that shiny buildings and corporate headquarters.

Kevin Kohl, CPS teacher