Achieving Reliability in Potable Reuse: The Four Rs

The need for sustainable water resources is growing all the more urgent as pressures on historical sources mount. The global effects of water shortages are worsening in the face of climate change and population migration, which further strain the delicate politics of water rights within and among countries. The time to identify new sustainable sources is now. The logic of potable reuse (i.e., the use of recycled wastewater for potable applications) is growing increasingly clear. Not only does it offer renewable, drought-proof supplies, but it also bolsters independence and provides greater dependability (Leverenz et al, 2011). The local nature of reuse reduces energy and conveyance costs, lowering carbon footprints and providing greater protection against natural disasters. As countries grapple with aging infrastructure, regional water solutions that reduce new infrastructure demands will be critical (Sedlak, 2014; Hering et al, 2013). Although de facto potable reuse has existed throughout history, the new paradigm of planned reuse offers a way to significantly expand the scope of reuse of the national water supply while providing greater control of public health (NRC, 2012). Its significance is reflected in the global distribution of existing projects, from Europe to Africa, Asia, Australia, and to the Americas (Gerrity et al, 2013; Lahnsteiner & Lempert, 2007; Bixio et al, 2006). Given the global effect of water shortages, however, flexibility in treatment must take the place of the one-solution-fits-all mindset. Diversity in potable reuse THE FOUR Rs—RELIABILITY,