Pilot to policy: The path to potable reuse

As communities across North America face growing pressure from drought, population growth, and aging infrastructure, utilities are looking for reliable ways to strengthen their long-term water supplies. Potable reuse has emerged as one of the most promising solutions, but successfully implementing such projects requires more than advanced treatment technology alone. It also depends on thoughtful planning, regulatory coordination, and public confidence.

A recent article published in the Journal of the New England Water Environment Association, “Pilot to Policy—The Path to Potable Reuse,” by Carollo’s Emily Clements, Angel Villarruel-Moore, and Nicola Fontaine, examines two projects that demonstrate how utilities can successfully advance potable reuse under very different regulatory and hydrologic conditions.

Advancing Direct Potable Reuse During Regulatory Change

One case study follows Polk County Utilities’ One Water Polk direct potable reuse (DPR) pilot in Florida, which was conducted while the state’s potable reuse regulations were still being developed.

Rather than waiting for the rules to be finalized, the project team designed the pilot with enough flexibility to adapt as regulatory expectations evolved. Sampling plans, monitoring requirements, and testing protocols were updated throughout the project to align with emerging guidance while maintaining a consistent, defensible dataset.

The result was a pilot that not only met Florida’s final pathogen reduction requirements but also helped regulators and utilities better understand how DPR systems could be successfully implemented. The project demonstrates how adaptive pilot planning and early collaboration with regulators can reduce uncertainty while building confidence in new treatment approaches.

Groundwater Replenishment Strengthens Local Water Supplies

The second case study highlights Los Angeles’ ambitious groundwater replenishment program, a form of indirect potable reuse (IPR) that will help the city recycle wastewater and reduce its dependence on imported water supplies.

At the center of the program is an advanced water purification facility that will produce highly treated water for recharge into the San Fernando Groundwater Basin. Using multiple treatment barriers, real-time monitoring, and the aquifer itself as an environmental buffer, the project illustrates how potable reuse can strengthen drought resilience while supporting long-term groundwater sustainability.

Although New England faces different water challenges than Southern California, the authors note that groundwater replenishment offers valuable lessons for any region experiencing seasonal drought, groundwater depletion, or increasing pressure on local water resources.

Public Trust Is Essential for Potable Reuse

One of the strongest themes throughout the article is that successful potable reuse projects rely on more than engineering.

The authors emphasize that early engagement with regulators, community outreach, and transparent communication are just as important as treatment performance. Educating stakeholders about multiple treatment barriers, continuous monitoring, and public health protections helps build the confidence needed for long-term project success.

As the article concludes, utilities can create a strong foundation for future potable reuse by aligning technical planning with evolving regulations, collecting high-quality pilot data, and investing in meaningful stakeholder engagement from the beginning.

Read the full article in the Journal of the New England Water Environment Association to learn how these projects are helping shape the future of potable reuse.