Water recycling and wastewater reuse

Water recycling and reuse is the planned and deliberate use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as irrigation, recreation, industry, recharging of underground aquifers, and drinking water. Recycled water can satisfy most water demands provided it is adequately treated to ensure water quality standards that are appropriate for its required use. There are two types of wastewater reuse: direct and indirect. With direct reuse, treated wastewater is piped into a water system without first being diluted in a natural stream or lake or in groundwater. One example of this is irrigating a golf course with effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Indirect use involves mixing reclaimed wastewater with another body of water before reuse and/or discharging reclaimed wastewater into a groundwater aquifer and later withdrawing the water for use. In uses where there is a greater chance of human exposure to the water, more treatment is required.

Case Studies

Tending to treatment in Thailand Bangkok, Thailand | June 1, 2004 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration selected CH2M HILL to oversee the design, construction and operation of two new wastewater collection and treatment systems. Learn more

Moroccans secure precious natural resource

Wastewater adds value in poor farming communities

Fortifying a nation’s water revolution

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