Sustainability Assessment for Indirect Potable Reuse: A Case Study from Reno, Nevada

Abstract

A triple bottom line (TBL) approach was used to examine the trade-offs between potential reclaimed water management strategies in a closed basin. The goals of the water management strategy included minimizing water source shortages, ensuring safe and resilient future water supplies, and protecting inland ecosystems through adequate surface flows. The TBL approach consisted of quantitative and qualitative impact assessments of social, environmental, and economic criteria. This research examined how potable reuse of reclaimed water addresses water needs in a closed basin such as maintaining water quality, managing reclaimed water disposal, meeting growing water demand, balancing groundwater extraction rates with inflows, preserving inland ecosystems, and ensuring a locally controlled safe drinking water source. The TBL assessment first evaluated water stress based on water demand and supply under status quo conditions. The results were compared with the potable reuse scenario, which provides more environmental and social benefits than the status quo scenario.

Trace and bulk organics removal during ozone–biofiltration treatment for potable reuse applications

“…This trend showcases the critical need for implementing strategies such as potable reuse, which can address both water supply availability and winter effluent management, a critical issue in the greater Reno area. A triple bottom line (TBL) analysis of Reno's water management alternatives conducted revealed potable reuse of municipal wastewater effluent as one of the key strategies for maintaining long‐term water sustainability (Haak et al, ). Groundwater augmentation can be achieved via (a) surface spreading, and (b) injection wells.…”

Evaluating the sustainability of indirect potable reuse and direct potable reuse: a southern Nevada case study

“…When considering various water supply alternatives, the evaluation and optimization of life cycle cost can be invaluable to the decision‐making process (Bradshaw, Ashoori, Osorio, & Luthy, ). A more comprehensive triple bottom line analysis might even be warranted because of its ability to simultaneously consider the social, environmental, and economic implications of an engineering design (Haak, Sundaram, & Pagilla, ; Schimmoller, Kealy, & Foster, ; Schoen et al, ). With respect to social considerations, the recent literature demonstrates that, when designed and operated properly, potable reuse systems provide adequate protection of public health (Amoueyan, Ahmad, Eisenberg, & Gerrity, ; Amoueyan, Ahmad, Eisenberg, Pecson, & Gerrity, ; Chaudhry, Hamilton, Haas, & Nelson, ; Pecson et al, ; Pecson, Trussell, Pisarenko, & Trussell, ; Soller, Eftim, Warren, & Nappier, ).…”

Reclaiming Suburbia: Differences in Local Identity and Public Perceptions of Potable Water Reuse

“…Local agencies and water providers are interested in exploring ways to reduce the cost of water in order to maintain low water rates for users. In several areas of northern Nevada, water is increasingly expensive due to the need to import water supplies from other basins or to acquire additional water rights to provide sufficient water supply to residents [32]. As the northern Nevada urban population grows, local agencies view potable reuse as a means to simultaneously augment water supplies while minimizing wastewater disposal.…”

“…It is unknown, though, to what extent residents in northern Nevada are aware of, or have heard of, reclaimed water use, which studies have found to be a significant predictor of public acceptance of reclaimed water's integration into regional water supplies [14]. Reclaimed water use in Reno-Sparks is currently limited to non-potable purposes, however regional partners are exploring the feasibility of indirect potable reuse (IPR) to serve areas in and around the metropolitan area of the Reno-Sparks [32]. The public's perceptions and willingness to consider a greater integration of reclaimed water in its water supply in the Reno-Sparks region is currently unknown.…”