International research agency perspectives on potable water reuse

Abstract

Water is a limiting resource, and the pressure exerted on surface and groundwater resources should be reduced or at best maintained, rather than increased, as the human population and industrial development increase. Water recycling and reuse is thus of increasing importance, not only in arid regions but also in cities and contaminated environments. This paper provides an international understanding to inform optimization of treatment under local conditions, operating efficiencies associated with chemical and energy inputs or recovery, and optimization of traditional wastewater treatment to complement water recycling. Large quantities of freshwater can be saved by industrial water reuse and recycling, lowering costs, reducing environmental pollution and improving carbon footprint. Reuse is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative water supply.As the demand for potable quality water increases, driven by increasing human populations and economic development, the drivers for indirect and direct potable reuse of water also increase in their intensity. In this paper we inspect the national situations in developed countries in the northern and southern hemispheres (the USA and Australia), and in a middle-income country (South Africa). Examples of full scale potable reuse schemes in each country are described, followed by summaries of current research focal areas and priority challenges. Finally the international research trends and commonalities are highlighted, along with the key regional differences in research objectives and application, concluding with an outline of perceived opportunities for mutual benefit by enhanced international cooperation.

High rejection reverse osmosis membrane for removal of N-nitrosamines and their precursors

“…Potable reuse (PR) has been increasingly considered as a viable and powerful option to cope with water scarcity in many parts of the world (Burgess et al, 2015). Most PR schemes employed over the past decade are based on indirect potable reuse (IPR), which is implemented through the augmentation of drinking water sources (e.g.…”

Degradation of Micropollutants by UV–Chlorine Treatment in Reclaimed Water: pH Effects, Formation of Disinfectant Byproducts, and Toxicity Assay

“…In order to solve these problems, the State Council of China promulgated and implemented the Action Plan for Prevention and Treatment of Water Pollution in 2015. According to the plan, the utilization rate of reclaimed water, which has been proven as a reliable, safe, and sustainable approach to enhance water supply security [1] in water-deficient cities, should reach above 20% by 2020. Reclaimed water is encouraged to be used for landscaping, industrial purposes, agricultural irrigation, and even as a source to replenish groundwater in China, depending on the level of treatment [2][3][4][5].…”

SiO2‐modified nanocomposite nanofiltration membranes with high flux and acid resistance

“…Water resource shortages have become a serious threat to agricultural, industrial, and urban environments owing to increasingly significant global warming, drought, and pollution . It is predicted that by 2025, two‐thirds of the world's population will face enormous pressure from water shortages, demonstrating the importance of water purification and wastewater treatment.…”