Water recycling, also referred to as water reclamation or reuse, may have a number of potential benefits.
However, there may be some potential drawbacks too.
In the guide below, we list and explain the potential pros and cons of water recycling.
Summary – Potential Pros & Cons Of Water Recycling, Reuse & Reclamation
Firstly, What Is Water Recycling?
We put together a separate guide outlining what water recycling and reuse is, along with other important aspects here.
Potential Pros
Different Types Of Water Can Be Recycled
Water Recycling Might Be Considered A Form Of Waste Recycling
Recycled Water Can Be Used For Different End Uses, & Can Go To Different End Recipients
Already Widely Used Around The World
People Already Drinking Treated Wastewater, Or Forms Of Recycled Water
Water Can Be Recycled In High Volumes At Some Plants
Might Be Less Dependent On Rainfall & Climate Than Other Water Sources
May Be A Good Water Source For Some Drier & Hotter Climates
May Be One Way To Sustainably Manage Freshwater As A Resource
May Play A Role In Helping Recharge Or Replenish Underground Aquifers
May Be Part Of A Sustainable Strategy To Manage Water Supplies For Cities
May Help Address Some Specific Global Water Issues
May Help Indirectly Address Other Global Issues
May Give Regions More Control Over Their Water Supply
Some Countries Have ‘Recycled Water’ Or ‘Safe Water’ Regulations Or Legislation, To Ensure Safety & Quality Of Recycled Water
Some Reports Indicate That There Have Been No Human Health Problems To Date, Regarding Recycled Water That Has Been Treated To Standards
May Be More Reliable & Consistent Than Some Other Water Supply Methods
Recycled Water Can Be Supplied Back Into The Water System Directly, Or Indirectly
Future Potential For Waste Water Recycling Might Be Very High
Some Water Experts Support Water Recycling
Water Can Be Recycled At A Central Treatment Plant, Or On-Site
Decentralized Water Recycling Sites Can Save Water, Energy & Money
Recycling Water May Have Several Environmental Benefits
Might Use Less Energy Than Desalination, & Other Water Sources
Cost To Recycle Water May Average Out Over The Long Term
Might Be More Affordable Than Desalination In Some Ways
Some Reports Indicate Water Recycling Costs No More Than Importing Water
Recycling & Reusing Specific Types Of Waste Water For Specific Uses Can Have Their Own Unique Benefits
Waste Water Recycling May Be Able To Work Holistically With Some Other Industries
Some Inland Communities May Benefit From Water Recycling Where Desalination Has Challenges
Potential Cons
Cost To Produce Recycled Water Can Be Expensive Compared To Some Other Water Sources
Capital Cost To Set Up & Construct Can Be Very Expensive
Sometimes Has To Be Subsidized & Sold Below Actual Supply Cost
Wastewater Reuse For Businesses Can Have Cost Challenges, & Other Challenges
Can Need It’s Own Dedicated Infrastructure & Pipe System
Can Carry Some Commercial Risk, & Has Economic Viability Concerns
Not All Recycled Water Can Be Used For Drinking Water, & Other Specific Uses
The Public Can Be Skeptical Of Using Or Consuming Recycled Water
There Can Be Institutional Or Regulatory Barriers In Place In Some Regions For Potable Water
Some Regions May Have Inadequate Regulations On Specific Types Of Water Recycling
Some Developing Countries May Reuse Water In An Unsafe Manner
Some Wastewater Treatment Plants Can’t Remove All The Pollutants In Wastewater, & May Therefore Become A Source Of Water Pollution
There May Be Difficulties During The Operation & Treatment Stage
The Use Of Reclaimed Waste Water Specifically For Irrigation May Have Several Potential Risks
Use Of Reclaimed Waste Water For Irrigation Can Have Risks
The Distance Of Centralized Water Treatment Plants To Farms Can Sometimes Be Too Far
There May Be Some Key Factors That Influence The Usage & Utility Of Water Recycling In The Future
Some Individual Cities Have Experienced Problems With Implementing Water Recycling
*Note
The pros and cons listed in this guide are general pros and cons only.
Potential Pros Of Water Recycling, Reuse & Reclamation
Different Types Of Wastewater Can Be Recycled
Such as municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater and water from cooling, storm water, agricultural runoff, and more.
Water Recycling Might Be Considered A Form Of Waste Recycling
Some of the water types identified above are considered waste products – so, water recycling might be considered a form of waste recycling.
Because it can make use of waste, water recycling may also contribute to a more circular economy.
Recycled Water Can Be Used For Different End Uses, & Can Go To Different End Recipients
Examples of end uses might include:
– Drinking water
– Non potable water irrigation (on farms, and at forestries)
– Non potable water for industrial uses (such as washing and cooling in power stations and factories)
– Non potable water for use at home (such as for flushing toilets, other household water uses)
– Environmental flows and wetlands
Examples of end recipients might include:
– Homes
– Businesses
– Public Services
– Farms
Already Widely Used Around The World
Some Australian cities for example already use water recycling facilities and technology.
For example:
– … there are currently 14 water recycling plants in Sydney, Australia alone (sydneywater.com.au)
People Already Drinking Treated Wastewater, Or Forms Of Recycled Water
According to abc.net.au:
[London, and also Adelaide in South Australia, are two examples of places where people are already drinking treated waste water from forms of recycled water]
[And] … countries [and cities] such as Singapore and Namibia, towns in Texas and California [and Perth, are already drinking recycled effluent i.e. treated sewage water]
Water Can Be Recycled In High Volumes At Some Plants
For example the St Mary’s Advanced Water Recycling Plant is Sydney, Australia’s largest water recycling project, and produces up to 18 billion litres of very high quality water a year (sydneywater.com.au)
Might Be Less Dependent On Rainfall & Climate Than Other Water Sources
Water recycling doesn’t rely mainly on rainfall/precipitation for replenishment like other water sources might.
In this sense, it may be less dependent on rainfall and climate, and less affected by natural events like droughts.
May Be A Good Water Source For Some Drier & Hotter Climates
Relating to the point above, drier and hotter climates generally experience less rainfall, and may have issues with evaporation .
Both of these things can impact the renewal of natural sources of water like surface water and ground water.
As long as there is still water to recycle, drier and hotter climates may benefit from water recycling as it isn’t reliant on rainfall or affected by evaporation like these other water sources.
May Be One Way To Sustainably Manage Freshwater As A Resource
Recycling and reuse are keys actions in sustainably managing different natural resources.
Fresh water recycling therefore may be one way to more sustainably manage freshwater resources going into the future.
May Play A Role In Helping Recharge Or Replenish Underground Aquifers
Underground aquifers generally have slow recharge rates.
In some places like Perth in Western Australia, they’ve tested the potential of using treated water to recharge/replenish aquifers, by injecting it into these groundwater sources and blending it with the groundwater.
May Be Part Of A Sustainable Strategy To Manage Water Supplies For Cities
A few key reasons that water recycling may contribute to a more sustainable strategy to manage water supplies might be:
– It means less water might be withdrawn (proportionally) from other water sources, such as surface water and underground aquifers, and therefore there’s less stress placed on individual water sources from demand
– Water recycling can be one several sources of water (such as surface water, ground water, desalination) that provide fresh water to a region
Additional water sources can therefore diversify a city’s water supply, and therefore make it more resilient from a water security and water risk perspective, especially against a changing climate and natural events like droughts (or variable rainfall)
Cities and towns aren’t reliant on just one type of water source
May Help Address Some Specific Global Water Issues
Such as water scarcity and water stress.
May Help Indirectly Address Other Global Issues
Growing populations and growing demand for energy and food (both of which require water to produce) are issues to consider in the future.
Water recycling may help in addressing issues similar to these as it can make more fresh water resources available.
May Give Regions More Control Over Their Water Supply
If local water is recycled and water recycling plants are set up locally, cities have more control over this part of their water supply, instead of having it controlled externally.
Some Countries Have ‘Recycled Water’ Or ‘Safe Water’ Regulations Or Legislation, To Ensure Safety & Quality Of Recycled Water
Some Reports Indicate That There Have Been No Human Health Problems To Date, Regarding Recycled Water That Has Been Treated To Standards
Accordingly to epa.gov: “No documented cases of human health problems due to contact with recycled water that has been treated to standards, criteria, and regulations have been reported [in the US]”
May Be More Reliable & Consistent Than Some Other Water Supply Methods
Recycling plants can produce a certain amount of water per day or per year, as long as there is waste water being provided, and there’s an adequate energy supply and financing.
This consistent water production is in comparison to some natural water sources that may be more variable and unreliable, because they rely on variable rainfall.
Recycled Water Can Be Supplied Back Into The Water System Directly, Or Indirectly
Directing recycled water back into the water system can happen via direct injection back into water pipes or water sources
It may also happen through a scheme such as managed aquifer recharge where natural processes filter and process water before re-use.
Although awa.asn.au notes that directly reusing recycled water might be better: ‘… direct potable reuse may have more benefits’
Future Potential For Waste Water Recycling Might Be Very High
One stat that helps illustrate this might be:
Globally, about 80% of waste water gets discharged back into the environment without being treated.
Some Water Experts Support Water Recycling
[In a 2014 report,] water sector professionals were largely supportive of water recycling [for both potable and non potable water uses] (awa.asn.au).
Water Can Be Recycled At A Central Treatment Plant, Or On-Site
Most water is collected and sent to a main water recycling plant.
But, water can also be recycled on-site where it originally become waste water, like for example at an industrial facility that uses cooling processes.
Decentralized Water Recycling Sites Can Save Water, Energy & Money
According to epa.gov: “The use of gray water at decentralized sites … for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing reduces the amount of potable water distributed to these sites, the amount of fertilizer needed, and the amount of wastewater generated, transported, and treated at wastewater treatment facilities. In other words, water reuse saves water, energy, and money.”
Recycling Water May Have Several Environmental Benefits
Such as decreasing diversion of water from ecosystems, decreasing waste water discharge and water pollution, and bettering the health of wetlands and habitats that need the water (epa.gov)
Might Use Less Energy Than Desalination, & Other Water Sources
– Desalination
Recycling waste and gray water requires far less energy than treating salt water using a desalination system (epa.gov)
– Other Water Sources
Although it requires additional energy to treat wastewater for recycling, the amount of energy required to treat and/or transport other sources of water is generally much greater (epa.gov)
Cost To Recycle Water May Average Out Over The Long Term
Over longer time periods, the cost of recycling water might average out and be more cost effective.
Additionally, the benefits to the economy, environment, water supplies, and so on, should be considered as intangible things that offset some of the cost (some of these things may be priceless).
But, the cost to recycle water can be dependent on different variables.
Might Be More Affordable Than Desalination In Some Ways
From nas-sites.org: “Generally, water reuse is … less expensive than seawater desalination”
According to mercurynews.com via seametrics.com “Recycled water costs about $1,100 an acre-foot to produce, about half the cost of desalinating ocean water”
More costs of water reuse vs water desalination and other water production methods can be found here.
Some Reports Indicate Water Recycling Costs No More Than Importing Water
According to kbps.org: “… the future cost of recycled and imported water would be about the same, around $1,000 per acre foot”
Recycling & Reusing Specific Types Of Waste Water For Specific Uses Can Have Their Own Unique Benefits
One example might be using wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
From wikipedia.org:
… reclaimed water [and wastewater] used for agricultural irrigation may already contain certain nitrogen and phosphorus levels, and may have in built fertilizing properties [and may] improve production yields, reduce the ecological footprint and promote socioeconomic benefits
Waste Water Recycling May Be Able To Work Holistically With Some Other Industries
As one potential example …
Sewage treatment plants may be able to form partnerships with biofuel producers and growers, and supply wastewater to producers of algae and other biofuel crops. The wastewater may contain nutrients and act as a fertilizer
This may also have the added benefit of reducing pumping and treatment costs according to some reports
As another potential example …
Some reports indicate that agricultural runoff might be able to be treated for water pollution or contamination at wastewater treatment plants, and then potentially be re-used in agriculture, or used for something else
Some reports even consider whether wastewater can be supplied to power plants for cooling systems.
Some Inland Communities May Benefit From Water Recycling Where Desalination Has Challenges
… technology like desalination isn’t suitable for [some] particular inland [locations] due to cost, and logistics (abc.net.au)
Some of these locations might be able to set up water recycling facilities instead.
Potential Cons Of Water Recycling, Reuse & Reclamation
Cost To Produce Recycled Water Can Be Expensive Compared To Some Other Water Sources
Water recycling can be more expensive than other water sources like surface water and ground water extraction and use.
According to epa.gov: “…the treatment of wastewater for reuse and the installation of distribution systems at centralized facilities can be initially expensive compared to such water supply alternatives as imported water, ground water, or the use of gray water onsite from homes”.
Capital Cost To Set Up & Construct Can Be Very Expensive
It can cost hundreds of millions or billions of dollars to construction some water recycling plants/facilities.
Costs for water recycling can include construction costs, dedicated infrastructure costs, quality monitoring and identification of contaminants cost, and other costs.
For example, in San Diego, “A permanent water recycling plant would cost an estimated $369 million” (kpbs.org).
According to abc.net.au: [In 2006/07, a $2.5 billion water scheme was commissioned in Queensland in Australia,] but, water would not be used until dam levels fell to 40 per cent
Sometimes Has To Be Subsidized & Sold Below Actual Supply Cost
According to some reports, this is to encourage it’s use in some parts of the world.
Wastewater Reuse For Businesses Can Have Cost Challenges, & Other Challenges
Some businesses may find it either economically unfeasible to implement water recycling, or, may simply find it cheaper, more profitable and quicker to dump wastewater (where regulations or authorities allow) rather than treating it and re-using it.
sswm.info for example mentions that ‘… the cost of implementing wastewater treatment systems may prohibit wastewater recycling within a business.’
But, they also mention that ‘Between businesses, wastewater reuse potential depends on factors …’, and they list those factors in their report, such as (paraphrased) cost of transport and wastewater quality and volume in their report.
Also paraphrased – knowledge, trust between industries, and willingness to modify current operations both for direct reuse and treat-and-reuse can be barriers as well.
However, they also mention that (paraphrased) if several businesses can share wastewater treatment costs, it reduces overall costs for individual businesses, and it may make reuse more affordable.
Can Need It’s Own Dedicated Infrastructure & Pipe System
In places like the US and Australia, purple or lavender marked recycled water pipes, taps and other infrastructure (like storage tanks) are dedicated to recycled water.
This dual piping system keeps recycled water separate to potable water supplies.
This infrastructure costs money, and takes up space.
Can Carry Some Commercial Risk, & Has Economic Viability Concerns
Particularly demand risk in some regions (awa.asn.au).
There might also be questions over whether some plants can be feasible from an economic perspective, at least in the short term.
Not All Recycled Water Can Be Used For Drinking Water, & Other Specific Uses
Sydney Water notes their recycled water can’t be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, filling pools, and a number of other uses (sydneywater.com.au)
The Public Can Be Skeptical Of Using Or Consuming Recycled Water
The public’s attitudes towards, and social acceptance of recycled water, can be poor, especially for some types of recycled waste water.
There Can Be Institutional Or Regulatory Barriers In Place In Some Regions For Potable Water
In terms of institutional barriers …
Water management authorities not making water recycling a priority compared to other water supply options
In terms of regulatory barriers …
According to abc.net.au: ‘In Australia for example [there needs to be a] removal of policy barriers to potable reuse’
From ge.com: ‘Strict water regulations can impose barriers on treating, re-using and recycling waste and grey water’
Some Regions May Have Inadequate Regulations On Specific Types Of Water Recycling
According to epa.gov “Most states [in the US] have regulations governing water quality for water recycling of reclaimed water from centralized treatment facilities, but only about 30 of the 50 states have regulations pertaining to water recycling of gray water”
So, different regions within a specific country may differing regulations on water recycling of different kinds.
Some Developing Countries May Reuse Water In An Unsafe Manner
Developing countries can use untreated waste water for irrigation, which can become a public health and safety hazard in some instances.
This water can also further contaminate soil and decrease soil health.
Some Wastewater Treatment Plants Can’t Remove All The Pollutants In Wastewater, & May Therefore Become A Source Of Water Pollution
waternewseurope.com mentions (paraphrased) that not all pollutants can be remove from wastewater at wastewater treatment plants, and therefore these treatment plants can become a source of pollution for the surface water sources they discharge treated water into
There May Be Other Difficulties During The Operation & Treatment Stage
From wikipedia.org: “Difficulties in contaminant identification may include the separation of inorganic and organic pollutants, microorganisms, Colloids, and others”
The Use Of Reclaimed Waste Water Specifically For Irrigation May Have Several Potential Risks
Including contamination of the food chain, soil salinization and accumulation of chemicals + other risks (wikipedia.org)
The Distance Of Centralized Water Treatment Plants To Farms Can Sometimes Be Too Far
The distance from farms to centralized treatment plants can be too great … but, on site treatment can solve this eventually (fluencecorp.com)
There May Be Some Key Factors That Influence The Usage & Utility Of Water Recycling In The Future
“… such as economic considerations, potential uses for reclaimed water, the stringency of wastewater discharge requirements and public policies for conservation and protection” (fluencecorp.com)
Some Individual Cities Have Experienced Problems With Implementing Water Recycling
Referencing a report by waterstories.co.za, we mention in a separate guide how Cape Town may have encountered problems implementing water recycling, with waste water containing chemicals.
Sources
1. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/biggest-global-fresh-water-issues-problems-solutions/
2. https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/education/Wastewater-recycling/Water-recycling/index.htm
3. http://www.awa.asn.au/AWA_MBRR/Publications/Fact_Sheets/Water_Recycling_Fact_Sheet/AWA_MBRR/Publications/Fact_Sheets/Water_Recycling_Fact_Sheet.aspx?hkey=54c6e74b-0985-4d34-8422-fc3f7523aa1d
4. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/water-pollution-causes-sources-examples-effects-prevention-solutions/
5. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/water-scarcity-case-study-perth-western-australia-what-the-world-can-learn-from-perths-water-scarcity-problems-solutions/
6. https://www3.epa.gov/region9/water/recycling/#whatis
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaimed_water
8. http://nas-sites.org/waterreuse/what-is-water-reuse/types-of-water-reuse/
9. https://www.fluencecorp.com/where-is-the-most-water-reuse-taking-place/
10. https://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/mar/20/final-report-says-recycling-water-not-so-expensive/
11. https://www.seametrics.com/blog/water-recycling-facts/
12. http://nas-sites.org/waterreuse/cost-of-water-reuse-projects/
13. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-19/drinking-recycled-water/9546900
14. https://theconversation.com/more-of-us-are-drinking-recycled-sewage-water-than-most-people-realise-92420
15. https://sswm.info/water-nutrient-cycle/water-use/hardwares/optimisation-water-use-industries/wastewater-reuse-in-industry
16. https://www.ge.com/reports/global-thirst-water-use-industry/
17. https://www.waternewseurope.com/global-database-of-wwtps-and-their-effluents/
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