Warning sign in Santa Monica, California, where reclaimed water is used to irrigate plants in public parks.

Reclaimed water, sometimes called recycled water, is former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated and purified for reuse, rather than discharged into a body of water. In some locations, it is treated to be cleaner than standard drinking water,^[1] and is used indirectly for drinking. In other locations, it is only intended to be used for nonpotable uses, such as irrigating golf courses and parks, filling decorative fountains, fire fighting, and irrigating crops that will be peeled or boiled before being consumed. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2160x1764, 762 KB) Summary Do not drink sign noting that recycled water is being used to water the plants. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2160x1764, 762 KB) Summary Do not drink sign noting that recycled water is being used to water the plants. ... For other uses, see Santa Monica (disambiguation). ... Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. ... Control room and schematics of the water purification plant to Bret lake. ... Indirect potable use is a method in which a source of water is indirectly used as drinking water. ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil. ... Golf is a sport in which individual players or teams hit a ball into a hole using various clubs, and also is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed standard playing area. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... The worlds highest fountain: King Fahds Fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Three traditional fountain features: a low jet, a pair of raised basins, and sculpture with a water theme, here hippocamps (Villa Borghese, Rome) A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source (Latin fons... A repair locker hose team aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) combats a controlled fire on the mobile aircraft firefighting training device May 2, 2006. ...

Definition

In a basic sense, reclaimed water is treated effluent that is treated to a higher degree (depending on the location), instead of being discharged into a natural body of water, and used for a broad range of practical purposes.

The treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities is typically discharged directly into a stream, river, or other natural body of water. This recharges the water supply and promotes the natural decomposition of materials in the water that standard treatment practices would not normally be able to remove. But due to increasing population and increasing demand for reliable fresh water sources, many areas around the world are now using reclaimed water to decrease potable water demands. In the context of creating Plutonium at the Hanford Site, effluent refers to the cooling water that is discharged from a nuclear reactor that may or may not be radioactive. ... Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, both runoff and domestic. ... “Spoilage” redirects here. ...

In the United States, many locations use reclaimed water only for non-potable uses, such as irrigation and fire fighting. Cities with arid climates, high populations, and close proximity to oceanic saltwater intrusion have been the most proactive in their usage of reclaimed water. A repair locker hose team aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) combats a controlled fire on the mobile aircraft firefighting training device May 2, 2006. ...

History

Los Angeles County's sanitation districts have provided treated wastewater for landscape irrigation in parks and golf courses since 1929. The first reclaimed water facility in California was built at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1932. In Southern California, Irvine Ranch Water District and Orange County Water District are becoming the leaders in reclaimed water through their Green Acres Project. Map of California showing Los Angeles County. ... Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park. ... Orange County Water District (OCWD) manages the large groundwater basin that provides reliable, high-quality groundwater to 20 cities and water agencies and their 2. ...

Benefits

The costs involved with reclaimed water typically exceed those of standard potable water in most regions of the world, where a fresh water supply is plentiful. However, reclaimed water is usually sold to citizens at a cheaper rate to encourage its use. Drinking water This article focuses on water as we experience it every day. ...

Using reclaimed water for non-potable use saves potable water for drinking, since less potable water will be used for non-potable uses.

It also contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which help fertilize plants when used for irrigation.^{[citation needed]} General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... General Name, Symbol, Number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... Spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers (British English fertilisers) are compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. ...

Suitable for drinking?

In many locations, reclaimed water is not directly mixed with potable (drinking) water for several reasons:

• Humans may face psychological barriers against drinking reclaimed water, since it was formerly sewage.^[1]
• Small amounts of pathogens and pharmaceutical chemicals (i.e., hormones from the female contraceptive pill) may be able to pass through the filtering process, potentially causing danger to humans. Modern technologies such as reverse osmosis are helping to overcome this problem. An experiment by the University of New South Wales showed a reverse osmosis system removed ethinylestradiol and paracetamol from the waste water, even at 1000 times the expected ppm.^[2]
• Many utilities providing reclaimed water for nonpotable uses do not treat the water to drinking water standards. However, others treat the water to a higher standard higher than drinking water.^[1]

Because of this, some regulatory agencies ban people from drinking, bathing in or filling swimming pools with reclaimed water. They also warn those who use reclaimed water for irrigation to place a sign on their property warning people not to drink from the irrigation system, and to not use it directly on fruits or vegetables. A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmakos (φάρμακον) meaning drug, and logos (λόγος) meaning science) is the study of how substances interact with living organisms to produce a change in function. ... A chemical substance is any material substance used in or obtained by a process in chemistry: A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more chemical elements that are chemically combined in fixed proportions. ... Oral contraceptives are chemicals taken by mouth to inhibit normal fertility. ... Reverse osmosis is a separation process that uses pressure to force a solvent through a membrane that retains the solute on one side and allows the pure solvent to pass to the other side. ... Ethinylestradiol, also ethinyl estradiol (EE), is a synthetic derivative of estradiol. ... Paracetamol (INN) (IPA: ) or acetaminophen (USAN), is a common analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. ... A swimming pool, sometimes also referred to in some countries as a swimming bath(German. ...

Some municipalities are now investigating Planned Indirect Potable Use (IPU) of reclaimed water. For example, reclaimed water may be pumped into reservoirs where it will mix with (and be diluted by) rainwater. This mixture of rainwater and reclaimed water could then be treated again, and finally used as drinking water. This technique may also be referred to as groundwater recharging or reservoir augmentation. Singapore plans to increase the amount of reclaimed water in their reservoirs from 1% to 2.5% by 2011.^[1] The Ashokan Reservoir, located in Ulster County, New York, USA. It is one of 19 that supplies New York City with drinking water. ... Rain is a source of precipitation which forms when separate drops of water fall to the Earths surface from clouds. ... 2011 (MMXI) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Unplanned Indirect Potable Use^[3] has existed even before the introduction of reclaimed water. Many cities already use water from rivers that contain effluent discharged from upstream sewage treatment plants. It is sometimes said that water in London has been drunk five times before it arrived at the tap, but this is an exaggeration. There are many large towns on the River Thames upstream of London (Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Bracknell) that discharge their treated sewage into the river, which is used to supply London with water downstream. This phenomenon is also observed in the United States, where the Mississippi River serves as both the destination of sewage treatment plant effluent and the source of potable water. Research conducted in the 1960s by the London Metropolitan Water Board demonstrated that the maximum extent of recycling water is about 11 times before the taste of water induces nausea in sensitive individuals. This is caused by the build up of inorganic ions such as Cl^-, SO4^2-, K⁺ and Na⁺, which are not removed by conventional sewage treatment. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The Thames (pronounced //) is a river flowing through southern England, and one of the major waterways in England. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Reading is a town, unitary authority (the Borough of Reading) and urban area in the English county of Berkshire. ... For other places with the same name, see Swindon (disambiguation). ... Bracknell is a town in the Bracknell Forest borough of the English county of Berkshire. ... The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe word misi-ziibi meaning great river (gichi-ziibi big river at its headwaters), is the second-longest named river in North America, with a length of 2320 miles (3733 km) from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... The Metropolitan Water Boards headquarters in Finsbury. ... For the Beck song, see Nausea (song). ... Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. ... Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. ...

Distribution and demand

Reclaimed water is often distributed with a dual piping network that keeps reclaimed water pipes completely separate from potable water pipes. In the United States, reclaimed water is always distributed in lavender (light purple) pipes to distinguish it from potable water. ^{[4] [5]} Dual piping is a system of plumbing installations used to supply both potable and reclaimed water to a home or business. ... Lavender is a color that is a light shade of violet. ...

In many cities using reclaimed water, it is now in such demand that consumers are only allowed to use it on assigned days. Some cities that previously offered unlimited reclaimed water at a flat rate are now beginning to charge citizens by the amount they use.^{[citation needed]}

The leaders in use of reclaimed water in the U.S. are Florida and California,^[6] with Irvine Ranch Water District as one of the leading developers. They were the first district to approve the use reclaimed water for in-building piping and use in flushing toilets.

Reclaimed water vs. other alternatives

In urbanized areas of developed countries where climate change has threatened long-term water security and reduced rainfall over catchment areas, using reclaimed water for drinking may have environmental costs that are lower than other water supply augmentation options. Other options may also be taken into account, such as seawater desalination. Recycling wastewater and desalinating seawater may have many of the same disadvantages, including high treatment costs, costs of infrastructure construction, transportation costs, and disposal of "brine". Although the best option varies from region to region, desalination is often superior economically, as reclaimed water usually requires a dual piping network, often with additional storage tanks. Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ... For other uses, see Security (disambiguation). ... A drought is a period of time when there is not enough water to support agricultural, urban, human, or environmental water needs. ... Annual mean sea surface salinity for the World Ocean. ... Shevchenko BN350 desalination unit situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea. ... Dual piping is a system of plumbing installations used to supply both potable and reclaimed water to a home or business. ... The mushroom-shaped concrete water tower of Roihuvuori in Helsinki, Finland was built in the 1970s. ...

A less elaborate alternative to reclaimed water is a greywater system. Greywater is wastewater that has been used in sinks, baths, showers, or washing machines, but does not contain sewage (see blackwater). In a home system, treated or untreated greywater may be used to flush toilets or for irrigation. ^[7] Greywater, sometimes spelled graywater, grey water or gray water and also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as washing dishes, laundry and bathing. ... Blackwater (waste) is a relatively recent term used to describe water containing Feacal matter and Urine: its is also known as foul water, or as sewage. ... Flush toilet. ...

Moreover, reuse of rainwater, through stormwater harvesting and mandatory installation of rainwater harvesting systems in properties, is clearly inferior from an environmental, economic and public health point of view. Arguments in favour of stormwater/rainwater harvesting are often simplistic and based on "ideal world scenarios". They are demonstrably weakened, however, when the very high risk of contamination of these supplies is taken into account. Chemical and biological contamination of rainwater storage in highly urbanised cities has led many water authorities or public health authorities around the world to warn of the risks and advise against the consumption of rainwater.

Economically, rainwater and stormwater harvesting schemes, ranging from tanks to large and complex concrete storages, are considered prohibitively expensive compared to all others, and are best implemented on smaller scales within new development areas. Critically, removal of large quantities of stormwater from the environment via collection systems, also damages ecosystems due to the reduction in flow of run-off to natural creeks and streams, and ultimately water bodies, in urban areas. The importance of local creeks, steams and waterways in urban areas that rely upon stormwater runoff, their flow-on benefits to flora and fauna, and the cleansing effect of stormwater runoff, demonstrate that the old adage of the water that is "wasted down the drains every time it rains" is somewhat of an urban myth. Such factors are being increasingly taken into account in the sensible development of public policy regarding desalination. Such factors have influenced cities such as London, where desalination is now considered a viable water supply option to supplement the greater metropolitan water supply of the city.

Some locations using reclaimed water

Potable use

Indirect potable use

• Singapore (where it is branded as NEWater)
• Payson, AZ^[8]

See also: Indirect potable use.

Bottles of NEWater for distribution during the National Day Parade celebrations of 2005 at Marina South NEWater is the brand name given to reclaimed water produced by Singapores public utilities. ... Payson is a town located in Gila County, Arizona. ... Indirect potable use is a method in which a source of water is indirectly used as drinking water. ...

Non-potable use

• Sydney, Australia^[9]
• Tucson, Arizona^[10]
• Clark County, Nevada^[11]
• Clearwater, Florida^[12]
• St. Petersburg, Florida^[13]
• San Diego, California^[14]
• Contra Costa County, California^[15]
• Caboolture and Maroochy (South East Queensland, Australia) LGA's currently provide Reclaimed water for industrial use (primarily capital works). Users must apply for a key to be able to access the compounds in which the outlets are located.^{[16][citation needed]}

This is about the city of Sydney in Australia. ... Nickname: The Old Pueblo Location in Pima County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Pima Government  - Mayor Bob Walkup (R) Area  - City  195. ... Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. ... Clearwater is a city located in central Pinellas County, Florida, USA, nearly due west of Tampa. ... Nickname: Floridas Sunshine City Location of the city proper in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Pinellas County Founded 1876 Incorporated February 29, 1892  - Mayor Rick Baker Area    - City  133. ... Nickname: Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates: Country United States State California County San Diego Founded July 16, 1769 Incorporated March 27, 1850 Government  - Mayor Jerry Sanders  - City Attorney Michael Aguirre  - City Council Scott Peters Kevin Faulconer Toni Atkins Tony Young Brian Maienschein Donna Frye Jim Madaffer... Official website: http://www. ... The Caboolture railway line is a suburban railway line in Brisbane, Australia. ... Maroochy Shire floral emblem - the Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) or Moreton Bay Chestnut Maroochy Shire is a local government administrative division of South East Queensland, Australia. ...

Proposed

In some places, reclaimed water has been proposed for either potable or non-potable use:

• Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia (proposed for potable use as of July 2006).^[17]
• South East Queensland, Australia (planned for potable use as of late 2008) ^[18][19]
• Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (proposed for non-potable use).^[20]
• Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (proposed in January 2007 as a backup source of potable water)^[21]

Goulburn (New South Wales, Australia) is a quiet provincial city characterised by a particularly long main street. ... Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... Early elections in November are announced in the Netherlands. ... The South East Queensland region. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ...

See also

Water Portal

• Brac Systems
• Greywater
• Sewage treatment
• Water conservation
• Water filtration

Image File history File links Drinking_water. ... Brac Systems, Inc. ... Greywater, sometimes spelled graywater, grey water or gray water and also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as washing dishes, laundry and bathing. ... Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, both runoff and domestic. ... Water conservation refers to reducing use of fresh water, through technological or social methods. ... In polluted or even unfiltered mountain water there are lots of parasitic organisms and inorganic chemicals that are dangerous to humans. ...

References

The Public Utilities Board (Chinese: 公用事业局), more commonly abbreviated as PUB, is a statutory board of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under the Government of Singapore. ... The Public Utilities Board (Chinese: 公用事业局), more commonly abbreviated as PUB, is a statutory board of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under the Government of Singapore. ... April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (115th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant, space-grant, research university located in Gainesville, Florida. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... July 30 is the 211th day (212th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 154 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ...

External Links

• Waterwise A not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the wise use of water