Water Reuse : Potential for Expanding the Nation's Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater

Expanding water reuse—the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes including irrigation, industrial uses, and drinking water augmentation—could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources. Water Reuse presents a portfolio of treatment options available to mitigate water quality issues in reclaimed water along with new analysis suggesting that the risk of exposure to certain microbial and chemical contaminants from drinking reclaimed water does not appear to be any higher than the risk experienced in at least some current drinking water treatment systems, and may be orders of magnitude lower. This report recommends adjustments to the federal regulatory framework that could enhance public health protection for both planned and unplanned (or de facto) reuse and increase public confidence in water reuse. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 A New Era of Water Management2 Current State of Water Reuse3 Water Quality4 Wastewater Reclamation Technology5 Ensuring Water Quality in Water Reclamation6 Understanding the Risks7 Evaluating the Risks of Potable Reuse in Context8 Ecological Enhancement via Water Reuse9 Costs10 Social, Legal, and Regulatory Issues and Opportunities11 Research NeedsReferencesAcronymsAppendixesAppendix A: Details in Support of the Risk Exemplar in Chapter 6Appendix B: Computation of Average Daily DoseAppendix C: Survey of Water Reclamation CostsAppendix D: Water Science and Technology BoardAppendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members