Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that is used for non-food crop irrigation or other industrial uses. Reclaimed water is not currently used as potable (drinkable) water and does not have to meet drinking water standards. Treatment standards are specific to the intended use. The following short video presents a definition and basic information about reclaimed water.

We see a number of uses of reclaimed water, including

- Greenbelt area irrigation
- Golf course irrigation
- Landscape irrigation
- Industrial uses
- Groundwater recharge
- Landscape impoundment
- Wetlands/marsh enhancement

As shown in the illustration to the left, purple pipe is used to designate a system as re-use water. This is intended to reduce the chance of accidentally connecting potable water lines to re-use systems.

Groundwater recharge using reclaimed water may not be safe due to the presence of organic compounds or new exotic chemicals that may be found in wastewater. To protect groundwater resources, regulations require that "reclaimed water used for groundwater recharge of domestic water supply aquifers by surface spreading shall be at all times of a quality that fully protects public health."

Photo Courtesy of the Red Rocks Community College Water Quality Program