75% of American drinking water needs treatment to reduce particulate and parasites, the source for which is a single chemical plant in severe flood risk. The next Katrina could give us the next brain-worms infestation via tap-water.
I think the former, based on my limited knowledge of the water treatment industry. There aren’t many manufacturers of low margin commodity chemicals, most people are in specialty chemicals with higher margins.
I don’t know the details about alum production (assuming that is what you are referring to), but there are many alternative coagulants available now. Sure the supply logistics would be incredibly challenging and many people would have to boil their water or use point-of-use filters, but this take is pretty doomer in my opinion. Most plants use alum because it’s cheap and easy, not because it’s their only option.
75% of American drinking water needs treatment to reduce particulate and parasites, the source for which is a single chemical plant in severe flood risk. The next Katrina could give us the next brain-worms infestation via tap-water.
Are you saying the chemical plant provides the treatment or that one plant is somehow responsible for polluting 75% of American drinking water?
I think the former, based on my limited knowledge of the water treatment industry. There aren’t many manufacturers of low margin commodity chemicals, most people are in specialty chemicals with higher margins.
Nah, lemme reword that. Thanks!
I don’t know the details about alum production (assuming that is what you are referring to), but there are many alternative coagulants available now. Sure the supply logistics would be incredibly challenging and many people would have to boil their water or use point-of-use filters, but this take is pretty doomer in my opinion. Most plants use alum because it’s cheap and easy, not because it’s their only option.