Aug. 21--Virginia business and government leaders looking for innovative ways to improve the environment should cast their eyes north toward Charles County, Md. Officials there are moving toward approval of a first-in-the-nation endeavor that would use treated wastewater instead of groundwater in power-plant operations.

Other states have experimented with using treated wastewater -- from toilets, sinks, drains, and so on -- for irrigation of public property. But Maryland would be the first in which the water is used in power plants, which draw a lot of water for turbines, cooling towers, and so on. The concept not only reduces the use of groundwater by utilities, it also reduces the amount of effluent flowing into streams and rivers -- and, eventually, into the Chesapeake Bay. A lot of work needs to be done, from obtaining permits to construction of a pipeline system. But so far all those who have heard about the idea have signaled support.

"This is a process that is going to be very quickly imitated around the country," says Charles County State Sen. Thomas Middleton. We certainly hope so.