Wastewater reuse
Introduction
Reclaimed water or recycling (also called wastewater reuse or water recovery) is the process of converting wastewater into water that can be reused for other purposes.[1] Reuse may include irrigation of gardens and agricultural fields or replenishing surface and groundwater (i.e., groundwater recharge). Also, reused water can be directed to meet certain needs of households (e.g. toilet flushing), businesses, and industries, and could even be cleaned to drinking water standards. This last option is called "direct potable reuse" or "indirect potable reuse", depending on the approach used.[2].
Recovering water for reuse applications instead of using only freshwater supplies can be a useful water-saving measure. When used water is eventually discharged back into natural water sources, it can still provide benefits to ecosystems, improving stream flow, nourishing plant life, and recharging aquifers, as part of the natural water cycle.[3].
Wastewater reuse is a long-established practice for irrigation, especially in arid countries. Reusing wastewater as part of sustainable water management allows water to remain an alternative source of water for human activities. This can relieve pressure on groundwater and other natural water bodies, and reduce shortages.[4] Another potentially positive aspect is the nutrient content appearing in wastewater, which could reduce the need for other fertilizers.[5].
References
- [1] ↑ Ibrahim, Yazan; Banat, Fawzi; Naddeo, Vincenzo; Hasan, Shadi W. (2019-12). «Numerical modeling of an integrated OMBR-NF hybrid system for simultaneous wastewater reclamation and brine management». Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration (en inglés) 4 (1): 23. ISSN 2365-6433. doi:10.1007/s41207-019-0112-2. Consultado el 21 de enero de 2021.: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s41207-019-0112-2
- [2] ↑ Warsinger, David M.; Chakraborty, Sudip; Tow, Emily W.; Plumlee, Megan H.; Bellona, Christopher; Loutatidou, Savvina; Karimi, Leila; Mikelonis, Anne M. et al. (2018-06). «A review of polymeric membranes and processes for potable water reuse». Progress in Polymer Science (en inglés) 81: 209-237. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2018.01.004. Consultado el 21 de enero de 2021. Se sugiere usar |número-autores= (ayuda).: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0079670017300102
- [3] ↑ Bischel, Heather N.; Lawrence, Justin E.; Halaburka, Brian J.; Plumlee, Megan H.; Bawazir, A. Salim; King, J. Phillip; McCray, John E.; Resh, Vincent H. et al. (2013-08). «Renewing Urban Streams with Recycled Water for Streamflow Augmentation: Hydrologic, Water Quality, and Ecosystem Services Management». Environmental Engineering Science (en inglés) 30 (8): 455-479. ISSN 1092-8758. doi:10.1089/ees.2012.0201. Consultado el 21 de enero de 2021. Se sugiere usar |número-autores= (ayuda).: http://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ees.2012.0201
- [4] ↑ Andersson, Kim.; Stockholm Environment Institute. Sanitation, wastewater management and sustainability : from waste disposal to resource recovery. ISBN 978-92-807-3488-1. OCLC 1023139673. Consultado el 21 de enero de 2021.: https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1023139673
- [5] ↑ Ofori, S., Puškáčová, A., Růžičková, I., Wanner, J. 2021. Treated wastewater reuse for irrigation: Pros and cons. Science of the total environment, vol 760.