Water scarcity and the need for reusing wastewater

Reclaimed water is becoming an attractive option for ensuring water security.

Water is the lifeblood of any community. But this precious resource also needs to be managed judiciously.

Rapid population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change have led to water scarcity globally.

In response governments and local authorities are exploring alternative sources of water to meet the shortfall.

Wastewater is one such source.

Treated wastewater can be reused to irrigate crops and water public green spaces or private gardens. It can also be used to flush toilets and for potable use.

The success and sustainability of wastewater reuse depends on several factors ranging from cost-effectiveness of the technology used to treat it through to social acceptance.

People are generally more comfortable using treated wastewater for non-potable rather than potable uses.

But with climate change and the possibility of chronic water shortages, these preferences appear to be changing..

In Singapore, Namibia and California and Texas in the United States, treated wastewater is being directly supplied for potable purposes.

For such projects to be a success in more places requires extensive wastewater treatment infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms and guidelines for reuse, a framework for integrated water resources management and community awareness about the importance of water reuse, which will also help overcome any cultural or religious prejudices against it.

Experts have emphasised the need for a wide variety of incentives to promote wastewater reuse.

These include: financial incentives to help businesses and utilities invest in water reuse, regulatory certainty and long-term investment in water reuse, R&D subsidies to develop cost-effective treatment technologies, performance-based incentives both for utility operators (for wastewater treatment) and end users to promote the reuse of treated water.

This special report has been produced in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.