Water resources are increasingly limited in coastal areas and some inland areas where demand for fresh water exceeds supply. Some larger users of water have been encouraged for cost reasons, or driven by regulations to conserve fresh water by any means possible, including
reuse of treated industrial and municipal effluent. There are health and technical aspects to be considered in such cases. Health issues include assurance of adequate protection from pathogens and adequate removal of chemical contaminants. Technical issues include protection of the users system, as characteristics of the reuse water can adversely affect the system by causing corrosion, deposition, and microbiological fouling.
This paper will discuss some of the significant problems typically encountered. While many papers and articles have been published examining the issues of water reuse, we are seeking to connect the technical aspects with the important environmental and health aspects.
KEYWORDS: Reuse, recycle, municipal, cooling, treatment, wastewater, pathogen, scarcity, industrial