Which of the following is NOT a current use of the on-site wastewater treatment system at the Colorado School of Mines?

The on-site wastewater treatment system at the Colorado School of Mines is designed to repurpose and treat wastewater for specific applications, particularly those that require less stringent water quality standards. Year-round bathroom sink use typically involves a constant flow of waste water that is not treated to potable standards; this is primarily for sanitary purposes rather than reuse.

Potable reuse for kitchen sinks and water fountains, irrigation for campus landscaping, and use in cooling systems all involve treated water that meets certain health and safety standards. In these applications, the treated wastewater is either reused directly (as in the case of potable water for kitchen sinks and drinking fountains) or used for non-potable purposes (such as irrigation and cooling systems), which still requires high levels of treatment.

In contrast, year-round bathroom sink use implies the continuous generation of wastewater without the specific treatment steps needed for safe reuse, making it inconsistent with the designed applications of the system at the school. This differentiation highlights the focus on specific, beneficial uses of treated wastewater that contribute to sustainability goals on campus.