The Direct Reuse of Reclaimed Wastewater: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

As was pointed out in a California report several years ago Reclamation of wastes for reuse is not a new concept. Many cities, particularly those in inland areas, have traditionally disposed of treated waste effluents as an irrigation supply for raising a variety of crops. Analysis shows, however, that such reuse generally came about as the only feasible means of disposal rather than from consideration of water supply. ' The new element of interest in reclamation stems primarily from the increasing cost of importing new water supplies to meet the needs of continuing growth in areas having limited water supplies. An outstanding example is the semi-desert area of Southern California, where many of the latest developments in waste reclamation have taken place. The costs of importing more water into such areas are reaching levels which in many instances make reclamation very attractive from a profit-making or moneysaving point of view.1