Some areas face traditional water scarcity challenges while other individual localities may lack access to water sources of sufficient quantity and/or quality. Conflicts over water resources are often driven by economic, political, and environmental concerns. One method to reduce these concerns is the reuse of reclaimed water (treated municipal wastewater) in agricultural, industrial, and electric power generation applications. We examine the key factors that contribute to the development and success of non-potable reclaimed water projects, identifying locations in the contiguous United States that have sufficient demand for reclaimed water and adequate supply of treated wastewater to meet a significant portion of these demands. Our non-potable water reuse assessment uses geographic information systems to produce decision-aiding maps of feasibility, using a data-driven approach to determine locations for further detailed study. Our results are relevant for both non-potable water users and municipalities in evaluating sustainability solutions in an uncertain water future.
- PI: Ashlynn Stillwell
- PI Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- September 1, 2021 – February 28, 2023