It’s no surprise that Apple gets a lot of press around new products, but I’m going to stick with my Casio wristwatch for now. And while it’s fun to play around with the Apple Watch at the store, I’m more interested in other Apple news that involves much different technology.
I recently came across an article announcing the approval of a massive recycled water project on Apple Campus 2. The Santa Clara Valley Water District voted to approve a project that will route more recycled water to the dehydrated South Bay, and will give a surge in recycled water flow throughout Sunnyvale and Cupertino, CA, home to Apple’s HQ and a new campus that is currently under construction.
Partially funded with $4.8 million directly from Apple, the company took the initiative to drive this project forward. The problematic drought in California is especially relevant to Apple in their home state. Apple has not disclosed how the water will be used on its new campus, but landscaping, cooling towers and plumbing are common applications. By using recycled water, the company can ease the demand for water in Cupertino, which would otherwise be using drinkable water to meet the tech giant’s needs.
The hope is that more corporate locations like Apple Campus 2 will follow the lead with this innovation and utilize recycled water technology. The project will lay pipelines down that will be able to pump 10 million gallons of water a day when it is completed, which is estimated to be in October 2016. Projects like this one, the Bill Gates-related Omniprocessor, and others, prove that we can utilize advances in technology to help the environment.
This project couldn’t come to light without the drive of Apple’s initiative to become environmentally responsible as well as working with partners in the water industry as well as the government. This partnership of public and private domains allows for advances in technology and the helps to preserve our environment.