Science
Vivid and engaging…. As fresh water supplies become increasingly scarce and technologies for water treatment improve, potable water reuse will likely become widespread. Annin’s timely and important reporting empowers readers to understand the critical issues at hand and offers an engaging introduction to potable water reuse.”
Eric Garcetti
"Peter Annin's captivating book, Purified, is a masterful exploration of the profound impact and boundless potential of water recycling in the United States. Annin challenges us to envision a future where every drop of water finds renewal, a future where 100% recycled water flows through our daily lives — compelling us to reimagine our relationship with water, recognizing it not merely as a resource to be consumed and discarded but as a perpetual cycle of sustenance and abundance. Purified is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of water recycling, its significance in our past, and its paramount role in shaping a brighter, greener tomorrow."
Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)
Wastewater recycling is more than a novelty. It is becoming a major public policy tool…. That makes Purified a good book for learning more about an emerging technology, as well as the value of communicating about it.”
Gale Norton
"Water wars are a serious pastime in the arid West. Peter Annin's informative book provides insights into how water recycling can overcome obstacles and become a practical, safe solution. Whatever one’s water policy views, this book is worthwhile and interesting."
Robert Glennon
"Annin has a journalist’s ability to tell a great story. He focuses on individuals working at the cutting edge of turning sewage into drinking water. Purified is an essential read for anyone interested in our water future."
Science
Vivid and engaging…. As fresh water supplies become increasingly scarce and technologies for water treatment improve, potable water reuse will likely become widespread. Annin’s timely and important reporting empowers readers to understand the critical issues at hand and offers an engaging introduction to potable water reuse.”
Library Journal
★ 11/01/2023
Environmental journalist Annin (The Great Lakes Water Wars) presents a geographical and political overview of the fresh water shortage and proposed solutions throughout the U.S. The book covers the failure of San Diego's efforts to turn waste water into drinkable water in the 1990s, credited in part to the terrible tagline "From toilet to tap"; the successful Water Factory 21 project in Orange County, CA; coastline dangers in Norfolk, VA; Texas's attempts at potable programs in Big Spring and Wichita Falls; Tampa's ongoing issues; Los Angeles's recent big proposals; and the continuous disappearance of the Colorado River. The science is as interesting as the politics in this book. Each chapter reveals that the imperative for clean water isn't universally accepted in each community. Maps at the beginning of each chapter aid in the understanding of the geography, and numerous charts explain the science of purification, including the differences in East Coast and West Coast systems. There are water success stories in Wisconsin and New England, but the threat of mega droughts and aridification never abates. VERDICT A concise, imperative primer on the science and politics of the United States' fresh-water crisis.—Tina Panik
