Wastewater re-use to gain importance in drought hit California, says report

Dwindling water resources in California could boost support for wastewater re-use in the state to meet the demand, according to a new study conducted by the US based Bluefield Research.

The US state, which has been reeling under the effects of four years of drought, has been trying to cut down consumption through conservation initiatives.

Water shortage has already brought in massive investment on water supply, including desalination, water diversion, and water treatment, while investment on wastewater re-use could get further boost.

At present, merely one-third of the state’s wastewater treatment facilities deliver uncontaminated water to be re-used for industrial, agricultural or municipal requirements.

The study, which has been titled as ‘California Municipal Wastewater Treatment & Reuse: Market Drivers, Trends, and Outlook’, indicates that recycling wastewater will grow by 100% in the state if the projects in pipeline turn operational.

California holds 28% of US municipal reuse capacity and has the ability to reuse another 2.4 million m3 of wastewater daily.

The report says that there are 479 operating wastewater treatment facilities in the state which can also be upgraded to increase their capacities.

Out of the total operating plants, merely 160 are equipped to reuse wastewater effluent and wastewater flows.

The report also recognises the role played by the state water suppliers. Only 3% of the 372 urban water suppliers in California depend on reclaimed water sources for their service.

Bluefield Research analyst Erin Bonney Casey said: "Regulators inability to rein in demand, demonstrated in 2014 by the 20% voluntary target that achieved only an 8.8% reduction, will drive alternative supply-side solutions such as wastewater reuse.

"We are already seeing a shift with more than US$1.9 billion of reuse applications submitted to state agencies for approval.

"As the drought moves into its fifth year, project timelines are expected to be pulled forward."

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Image: Nasa Grace satellite data showing severity of California’s drought on water resources and trend in water storage between September 2011 and September 2014. Photo: courtesy of Nasa.