Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulatory and Water Quality Drivers

Water reclamation and reuse has been practiced in the United States and other countries for many years for both nonpotable and potable applications. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published water reuse guidelines (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004), there are no federal regulations specifically governing water reclamation and reuse in the United States; hence, the regulation of water reuse rests with the individual states. Examples of reclaimed water treatment and quality requirements are provided in this paper. While the principal driver for water reuse is water stress, other drivers include conservation of potable supply, environmental enhancement, pollution abatement, reliability of supply, high cost of alternative sources of water, and regulatory policies/regulations. Water reuse regulations and guidelines are principally based on public health and environmental protection, but other factors that may be considered are also summarized in this paper.