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NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Citation:
Montovani, P. AND T P. O'Connor*. NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. Presented at ASCE World Water & Environmental Resources Congress, Orlando, FL, 5/20-24/2001.
Description:
Globally, the need for water reuse is increasing due to rising water demands and finite water resources. In addition, certain regulations and policies, such as zero discharge initiatives or limited new dam construction, may indirectly contribute to the need for reuse. With growing public acceptance and familiarity, even water providers without stresses on their water supplies are viewing nonpotable reuse as a possible water management option. Over the last 30 years many reuse projects have been instituted worldwide. Current uses include industrial processes, agricultural irrigation, urban uses (e.g., toilet flushing, fire protection, landscaping) and other applications. The WERF conducted a survey of existing nonpotable water reuse suppliers to attempt to determine the best planning and management practices available. A total of 65 projects were surveyed, 40 in the US, 25 outside the US. Planning and management issues that were addressed included: structure of the reuse agency, marketing, develping public acceptance, permitting requirements, economic analysis, usage restrictions, liability, legal issues and funding. One of the driving factors for the survey was to understand what makes a successful wastewater reuse project. Although there is always the need when dealing with any nonpotable supplies to manage health risk and to address emerging potential risk (e.g., salinity concerns, disinfection byproducts), nonpotable water reuse is technically feasible and the greatest hurdles for implementation of new projects appear to come from a management perspective. Responses to the survey indicate that there are several issues that planners for new projects should address. Responses clearly indicate that more planning and marketing need to be performed for reuse projects especially if the managers for those new projects plan to attain cost recovery. There is a need for thorough economic analysis that accounts for all the needs of the service community and properly weights cost and benefits, e.g., taking into account the decreased potable water revenues in lieu of nonpotable water supplies. Other concerns include marketing for wider public acceptance, working with local officials for supporting legislation for expanding nonpotable users and uses, and increases in the quality of the nonpotable supply through advanced treatment. This paper presents an overview of the survey and the results.