A One Water Future: Transforming Wastewater Into a Sustainable Resource

Successful water reclamation programs begin with articulating clear, practical, and actionable goals and developing an integrated plan for achieving those goals. The planning process should involve assessing the balance between water demand and supply and evaluating whether local or municipal supplies meet production needs.

For some industrial users, advanced technologies are necessary to meet stringent wastewater pretreatment requirements, such as discharge limits for total dissolved solids. These requirements often lead to water reclamation being considered. This comprehensive approach ensures that water reclamation projects are both viable and sustainable.

Transforming wastewater to boost water supply reliability involves technical complexities. Effectively removing contaminants requires advanced treatment technologies, including biological systems, membrane-based purification, and advanced filtration and oxidation processes, making the process complex and resource-intensive. These technologies manage both liquid and solid streams, with the choice of technology dependent on the characteristics of the influent and future expansion needs. Evaluating operational and utility requirements is crucial for ensuring cost-effective and scalable solutions.

Using reclaimed water for potable water is a relatively new concept, posing regulatory requirement and public perception challenges. Reclaimed water systems must comply with local, national, and international standards. Each industry may have specific water quality requirements, making it crucial to remain abreast of regulatory changes during the planning and design stages.

Design considerations must include equipment redundancy, online monitoring, adequate storage capacity, and other risk management measures to produce a robust and reliable treatment plan. And, transparent communication is vital for building public trust and ensuring continuous regulatory compliance.

High capital (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) costs are significant hurdles in water reclamation. Advanced treatment technologies, such as high-pressure reverse osmosis, advanced oxidation, and thermal systems for treating reverse osmosis reject water, are energy intensive.

Detailed analyses of CapEx and OpEx for each option are essential. Consider the pros and cons, facility footprint, steam or electrical utility requirements, operating requirements, and maintenance schedules to support technologically and financially sound decision-making. Energy-efficient technologies often provide the best value.

Operations and maintenance (O&M) considerations are especially critical in facilities charged with transforming wastewater into potable drinking water. A skilled workforce is essential, as O&M personnel must be well-trained in advanced water treatment technologies to manage and optimize the complex systems involved. Implementing comprehensive maintenance programs is crucial to ensure the reliability and longevity of the treatment systems, preventing breakdowns, and ensuring consistent water quality.

Additionally, a commitment to continuous improvement is necessary, with processes regularly updated and refined based on new research, technological advancements, and operational data. This proactive approach helps maintain high standards and adapt to evolving challenges in water treatment.

Despite the challenges, water reclamation offers significant benefits, especially in addressing water scarcity and imbalanced distribution. It provides a reliable and sustainable water supply, reduces pressure on community drinking water system supplies, and decreases the discharge of treated wastewater to surface water, protecting natural water systems and aquatic life. Additionally, energy and resource recovery, such as biogas utilization and phosphorus and nitrogen recovery, can be integrated into the design process.