Improving Reclaimed Water Regulations by Adopting 2012 EPA Guidelines Best Practices

In the United States (U.S.) requirements for the safe use of reclaimed water are set by individual states rather than at the federal level. The 2012 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines for Water Reuse (guidelines) provide an overview of the reclaimed water quality requirements for multiple purposes currently adopted by 44 states and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This paper draws from the 2012 EPA guidelines to provide a discussion of lessons learned in developing regulations that support state water supply planning while protecting the public health. Some states do not have specific regulations or guidelines governing water reuse. There have been, and continue to be, discussions in professional circles regarding which of the states' criteria provides the best balance of protecting public health without requiring costly treatment processes that do not proportionately increase the public health benefit. This discussion can also be viewed within the context of providing reclaimed water that is “fit for purpose.” Applying this discussion will require defining appropriate water qualities for new applications.