What was the revolution in municipal water systems that David Sedlak termed Water 3.0?

Water 3.0, as described by David Sedlak, represents a transformative approach in urban water management, specifically focusing on the integration of wastewater treatment into the larger water supply system. This concept emphasizes the importance of treating sewage, or wastewater, as a resource rather than merely a waste product. By treating sewage on its way out of the municipal system, cities can recycle water and reduce the demand for freshwater sources. This paradigm shift allows municipalities to use treated wastewater for various applications, including irrigation and industrial processes, which helps conserve natural water supplies and provides a sustainable approach to managing urban water resources.

In contrast, advanced filtration methods might improve water quality, but they do not necessarily encapsulate the comprehensive system changes implied by Water 3.0. Similarly, building more reservoirs is a traditional method for expanding water supply, and while it addresses quantity, it does not innovate the treatment and recycling of existing water. Lastly, implementing rainwater harvesting is an important practice for local water collection, but it does not represent the systemic overhaul that Water 3.0 entails regarding sewage treatment and resource management.