"Direct Potable Reuse" As A Source Of Water SupplyMay 17, 2010
The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) recently published a
white paper that identifies 10 key issues that need to be addressed
by regulatory agencies and water utilities in California interested
in pursuing direct potable reuse — or, the introduction of
highly-treated recycled water into a drinking water distribution
system — as a viable option to satisfy the State's future water
demands.
The 32-page NWRI white paper, entitled "Regulatory Aspects of Direct Potable Reuse in California," was developed in response to a growing interest among water utilities, water-related associations, and environmental advocacy groups in California to assess the research needs, regulatory requirements, and other factors necessary to implement direct potable reuse. California's water supplies are becoming limited due to population increases, droughts, and reductions in imported water. To help conserve our water supplies, the State encourages the use of recycled water — municipal wastewater that has been extensively treated — for a range of applications, such as flushing toilets and urinals in office buildings, replenishing aquifers, and irrigating pastures, crops, golf course greens, school yards, parks, athletic fields, cemeteries, nurseries, and other vegetation. Direct potable reuse would provide water utilities with the opportunity to augment their current drinking water supplies (such as surface water, groundwater, or imported water) with a local, abundant, and reliable source of water. To date, no regulations or criteria have been developed or proposed for direct potable reuse in California or the United States. The only example of a direct potable reuse project is in water-scarce Windhoek, Namibia, where highly treated recycled water is put into a drinking water system that serves 250,000 people. The direct potable reuse system in Windhoek has been in operation since 1968. As identified in the NWRI White Paper, the following key regulatory issues need to be resolved for direct potable reuse to be considered as a source of water supply:
The NWRI white paper was prepared by James Crook, Ph.D., P.E., an environmental engineer with more than 37 years of experience in state government and consulting, including directing the California Department of Public Health's water reuse program for 15 years. About The National Water Research Institute The NWRI White Paper can be downloaded at www.nwri-usa.org. SOURCE: The National Water Research Institute Copyright © 1996 - 2010, VertMarkets, Inc. All rights reserved. To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.wateronline.com |