12.1 Types of water reuse and their requirements

Water reuse is a crucial strategy for managing water resources sustainably. It involves treating wastewater for various purposes, from drinking water to irrigation. Understanding the types and quality requirements of water reuse is essential for implementing effective solutions.

Water reuse offers numerous benefits, including economic savings and environmental protection. By evaluating local conditions and considering factors like climate and infrastructure, communities can determine the feasibility of reuse projects and maximize their positive impacts.

Types of Water Reuse

Types of water reuse

Top images from around the web for Types of water reuse

• 

  Holistic Wastewater Reuse Solutions – Evaluation of Treatment Efficiency, Environmental Impacts ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  ESS Topic 4.2: Access to Fresh Water - AMAZING WORLD OF SCIENCE WITH MR. GREEN View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Holistic Wastewater Reuse Solutions – Evaluation of Treatment Efficiency, Environmental Impacts ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Types of water reuse

• 

  Holistic Wastewater Reuse Solutions – Evaluation of Treatment Efficiency, Environmental Impacts ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  ESS Topic 4.2: Access to Fresh Water - AMAZING WORLD OF SCIENCE WITH MR. GREEN View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Holistic Wastewater Reuse Solutions – Evaluation of Treatment Efficiency, Environmental Impacts ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Potable water reuse involves treating wastewater to meet drinking water standards (EPA, state, and local regulations)
  • Direct potable reuse introduces purified water directly into the drinking water distribution system (pipes, storage tanks)
  • Indirect potable reuse discharges purified water into an environmental buffer before being withdrawn for drinking water treatment (groundwater aquifers, surface water reservoirs)
• Non-potable water reuse utilizes treated wastewater for purposes other than drinking
  • Irrigation applications include agricultural fields, landscaping, and golf courses
  • Industrial processes use reclaimed water for cooling towers, boiler feed, and process water
  • Recreational purposes involve lakes, fountains, and snowmaking
  • Environmental enhancement projects support wetlands, stream augmentation, and groundwater recharge
  • Urban uses include fire protection, dust control, and toilet flushing

Quality requirements for reuse

• Potable reuse water quality requirements must meet or exceed drinking water standards
  • Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) remove organic contaminants and disinfection byproducts
  • Reverse osmosis (RO) eliminates dissolved solids, pathogens, and trace contaminants
  • Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection inactivates pathogens
  • Granular activated carbon (GAC) removes trace organic compounds and improves taste and odor
• Non-potable reuse water quality requirements vary depending on the application and local regulations
  • Less stringent than potable reuse requirements
  • Water quality parameters of concern include pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa), suspended solids, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), salinity, heavy metals, and trace organic compounds

Feasibility and Benefits of Water Reuse

Feasibility of reuse strategies

• Factors affecting the feasibility of water reuse projects include water demand and availability, wastewater treatment plant location and capacity, proximity of reuse applications to the treatment plant, public perception and acceptance, regulatory framework and permitting requirements, and funding and financing options
• Local conditions to consider when evaluating feasibility:
  1. Climate factors such as precipitation patterns and drought frequency
  2. Geology and hydrogeology aspects like soil types, groundwater levels, and aquifer characteristics
  3. Land use and population density
  4. Existing water infrastructure and distribution networks

Benefits of water reuse

• Economic benefits of water reuse projects:
  • Reduced costs associated with developing new water sources (dams, desalination plants, long-distance pipelines)
  • Increased water supply reliability and resilience during droughts
  • Potential revenue generation from the sale of reclaimed water
  • Reduced energy consumption and costs associated with water treatment and distribution
• Environmental benefits of water reuse strategies:
  • Conservation of freshwater resources and reduced stress on ecosystems
  • Reduced nutrient and contaminant loads in receiving waters (rivers, lakes, coastal areas)
  • Enhanced groundwater recharge and prevention of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with water treatment and distribution
  • Support for sustainable agriculture and urban green spaces (parks, gardens)