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Operators need to know water reuse

Authors: Eva Steinle-Darling, Keisuke Ikehata, Hunter Adams, Mark Southard, Steve Ash, Daniel K. Nix, Christina Montoya-Halter

Opflow, October 2024

As water systems across the U.S. grapple with increasing demand and more intense drought conditions, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. With growing water scarcity concerns, many utilities are turning to potable water reuse to secure a sustainable future. Whether through indirect potable reuse (IPR) or direct potable reuse (DPR), these approaches are rapidly gaining momentum as viable alternatives to traditional water sources.

A recent Opflow article titled “Operators need to know water reuse,” co-authored by Carollo Engineers’s Eva Steinle-Darling, explores the complexities and opportunities surrounding potable reuse in detail. The authors dive into advanced treatment processes, including membrane filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), and carbon-based treatments, which are essential to producing high-quality potable water. Steinle-Darling also highlights how these systems address challenges like emerging contaminants, including PFAS, and support public safety.

The piece further highlights the importance of public education and outreach, emphasizing that public perception can make or break potable reuse projects. An example from the City of South Jordan, Utah, demonstrates how proactive engagement and transparent communication have helped communities embrace these innovative systems.

To learn more about how potable reuse is shaping the future of water management and read the full article.

Citations

Steinle-Darling, Eva, et al. “Operators Need to Know Water Reuse.” Opflow, vol. 50, no. 8, Oct. 2024, pp. 10–16.