Using recycled water for non-potable, urban uses: a review with particular reference to toilet flushing

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lazarova ◽  
S. Hills ◽  
R. Birks
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Domestic Sewage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Northern European ◽  
Toilet Flushing ◽  
Supply Problem ◽  
The Uk

This paper summarises the current non-potable, urban use of reclaimed water with particular reference to toilet flushing. It compares water quality standards for reclaimed water, the volumes of water required for toilet flushing and the qualities of greywater and domestic sewage that have previously been used for reuse. Worldwide examples of reuse schemes are presented with particular detail to two key European sites where greywater has been used for toilet flushing, the Millennium Dome in the UK and a residential block of flats in Annecy, France. It was demonstrated that the interest in water reuse is growing steadily, not only in acknowledged water deficient areas, but also in countries which have not historically appeared to have a water supply problem. The latter include Northern European States such as Belgium, France, the UK and Germany, as well as in tourist coastal areas and islands. This situation affords great opportunities for the creation of urban water recycling schemes.

Evaluation of appropriate technologies for grey water treatments and reuses

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyue Li ◽  
Knut Wichmann ◽  
Ralf Otterpohl
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Grey Water Reuse ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Treatment Alternatives ◽  
Economical Feasibility

As water is becoming a rare resource, the onsite reuse and recycling of grey water is practiced in many countries as a sustainable solution to reduce the overall urban water demand. However, the lack of appropriate water quality standards or guidelines has hampered the appropriate grey water reuses. Based on literature review, a non-potable urban grey water treatment and reuse scheme is proposed and the treatment alternatives for grey water reuse are evaluated according to the grey water characteristics, the proposed standards and economical feasibility.

scholarly journals Carcinogenic health risk from trihalomethanes during reuse of reclaimed water in coastal cities of the Arabian Gulf

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwajinmi Daniel Aina ◽  
Farrukh Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽  
Annual Peak

Trihalomethane (THM) occurrence in reclaimed water and its exposure risk to human health during non-potable reuse was evaluated for a coastal Arabian city. Recycled water was monitored at two representative wastewater treatment facilities: a city-wide activated sludge treatment (AST) plant and a neighborhood membrane bioreactor (MBR). Actual total THM concentrations in the post-chlorinated effluents varied with effluent temperature, peaking at 69.28 ± 2.54 μg/L and 41.15 ± 2.34 μg/L in AST and MBR effluents, respectively, in summer. Higher bromide concentration and favorable Br−/Cl2 ratio during disinfection in the AST resulted in stronger brominated THM speciation. Conversely, the MBR effluent was dominated by chloroform. Salinity fingerprinting indicated the presence of saline water in the AST effluent. Individual excess lifetime cancer risk (IELCR) was calculated using the outdoor box exposure model based on annual peak THM concentrations and peak THM formation potential (THMFP) for each species. Inhalation exposure to chloroform in the MBR effluent using peak THMFP values presented the highest cancer risks of 1.28 × 10−6 and 1.12 × 10−6 to residential adult and child receptors, respectively, exceeding the USEPA IELCR guidance threshold of 1 × 10−6 for carcinogens. Chlorinated THM species are important in determining the health risk from reclaimed water during non-potable water reuse.

scholarly journals Public perceptions of recycled water: a survey of visitors to the London 2012 Olympic Park

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Smith ◽  
P. Rutter ◽  
P. Jeffrey
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Recycling ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
London 2012 ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
High Level ◽  
Very High

The Old Ford Water Recycling Plant, operated by Thames Water, was used to supply non-potable recycled blackwater to some of the venues at the London 2012 Games. In an effort to learn from this experience, Thames Water commissioned a survey of visitors to the Olympic Park during the Games to explore public responses to the water recycling project. Results show a very high level of support for using non-potable recycled blackwater, both in public venues and in homes. Such findings may indicate a growing receptivity towards this technology, and show that Thames Water (and other private water companies) are well placed to encourage and even lead public discussion around the role of water reuse in the future of urban water supplies.

On-site water recycling systems in Japan

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Yamagata ◽  
M. Ogoshi ◽  
Y. Suzuki ◽  
M. Ozaki ◽  
T. Asano
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Recycling ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Recycling System ◽  
Site Water ◽  
Recycling Systems

Non-potable urban water reuse is Japan's main water reuse practice, which includes water for environmental uses, in-stream flow augmentation, toilet flushing, and industrial reuse. On-site water recycling systems reclaim wastewater on site as well as harvest rainwater in one or more large buildings and distributing the reclaimed water within the buildings for non-potable reuse. Based on our survey conducted in 1999 on current status of on-site water recycling systems in 23 wards of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government District, the following findings are reported in this paper: (1) on the average, 61% of non-potable water demand is met by reclaimed water, and the deficit is made up by tap water from city water supply, (2) biological treatment or ultrafiltration processes can provide reliable treatment and suitable water quality. Some technical problems such as odor from on-site treatment facilities have occurred in a few buildings, (3) there has been no serious accident involving human health by accidentally ingesting reclaimed water, and (4) there is a scale merit in the construction cost of on-site water recycling systems. An on-site wastewater recycling system larger than 100 m3/d is more economically justifiable when compared to a conventional domestic water supply system. An on-site water recycling system can provide an effective, safe, and economical urban water resource for non-potable water reuse applications.

Public Health Concerns in Wastewater Reuse

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Trace Organic Compounds ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Quality Water ◽  
Risk Of Disease

There is a growing need to reuse wastewater not only to reduce waste discharges to surface waters but also as an important water resource. The potential for increased risk of infectious disease to communities using reclaimed water continues to be a concern. With the growing interest in the use of recycled water for groundwater recharge and directly as a potable supply adjunct there is an increased awareness of chemical quality with emphasis on trace organic compounds. With proper attention to water quality standards and reclamation plant reliability high-quality water can be produced which should not pose an increased risk of disease to those using the water.

scholarly journals Water reuse perceptions of students, faculty and staff at Western University, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Velasquez ◽  
E. K. Yanful
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Faculty And Staff ◽  
The University ◽  
Urban Water Cycle ◽  
University Community

Global fresh water resources are under increasing pressure from rapidly growing demands and changing climatic conditions. Wastewater reclamation is becoming an important alternative for sustainable water resources management and building climate change resiliency in many regions around the world. Public acceptance and trust of consumers in the quality of reclaimed water is considered by many to be the most important factor determining the outcomes of water reclamation projects. Knowledge of the urban water cycle and water reuse perceptions of student, faculty and staff at Western University were investigated. Results showed that members of the university community are more likely to accept reclaimed wastewater for applications that do not involve drinking or close personal contact. Knowledge of the urban water cycle and water resources in Canada is modest among the university community with a moderate (G = 0.303, p < 0.05) positive relationship between ‘water knowledge’ and ‘close contact acceptability’. The majority of the university community (75.8%) thinks that reclaiming water to provide an alternate source of water in southwestern Ontario is a good idea, but there are still concerns about the presence of chemicals such as pharmaceuticals from reclaimed water and the long-term effects on human health from exposure to these contaminants.

scholarly journals Feasibility of on-site grey-water reuse for toilet flushing in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhu ◽  
Martin Wagner ◽  
Peter Cornel ◽  
Hongbin Chen ◽  
Xiaohu Dai
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
Toilet Flushing ◽  
Grey Water Reuse

Abstract Although the total reuse rate of municipal wastewater was 8.8% in China in 2012, water crisis is forcing China to increasingly develop water reuse. Urban reuse is comparatively poor and has significant potential to be promoted in China. It is a sensitive matter whether to include kitchen wastewater in grey-water reuse in water-deficient areas when kitchen wastewater accounts for a large proportion of total domestic water consumption. Concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand), and total organic carbon in kitchen wastewater are comparatively lower in China than in other countries, but a high concentration of nitrogen from washing tableware and rice makes it difficult to meet nitrogen requirements in Chinese guidelines. Whether kitchen wastewater should be included in grey-water reuse in China needs further study. Aerobic biological processes combined with physical filtration and/or disinfection is preferred in grey-water treatment, and how to balance the investment and treatment costs with reuse criteria still needs to be researched further. The promotion of reclaimed water for toilet flushing faces resistance in China. The necessity and effectiveness of existing restrictions in water reuse guidelines for toilet flushing in China are in doubt and need further discussion.

California's Task Force evaluation of issues confronting water reuse

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Mills ◽  
F. Karajeh ◽  
R.H. Hultquist
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
State Legislature ◽  
The State ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Water Demands ◽  
Quality Regulation ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Semi Arid

Water reclamation and reuse have been occurring in California for over a century. The state is arid and semi-arid in large regions and must rely on a variety of water supplies to meet its water demands. Reclaimed water is a potential source to meet a significant portion of new demands expected by 2030. However, there are issues of public health and water quality regulation, cost, public acceptance, institutional and other barriers that must be addressed. The California State Legislature adopted legislation in 2001 to convene the Recycled Water Task Force to advise the state on the opportunities for using reclaimed water in a broad spectrum of applications and in identifying impediments and constraints to increasing the use of reclaimed water. The processes for conducting the Task Force are described to illustrate the actions that were intended to increase the credibility of the Task Force. The recommendations of the Task Force are summarized.

Economic and environmental benefits of urban water reuse in tourist areas

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Lazarova ◽  
Heimata Carle ◽  
Vincent Sturny
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Tertiary Treatment ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Reliability Of Operation ◽  
Membrane Treatment ◽  
Public Opposition

This paper presents and discusses the keys of success of a water reuse project for landscape irrigation and other urban uses in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. To better preserve public health and overcome all constraints and public opposition, a membrane tertiary treatment for the production of high-quality recycled water was implemented. Special attention was paid to the reliability of operation and economic viability of membrane treatment, as well as to active public participation with involvement of all stakeholders. The demand for the new recycled water steadily increased during the last two years with a wide diversification of urban uses, not only for irrigation, but also for cleaning, industrial and commercial uses and fire protection. Monetary and non-monetary benefits have been assessed and recognised. As a result of this successful project, new recycling projects are under development.

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