Centro Internacional de Referência em Reúso de Água | International Reference Center on Water Reuse
Reuse for aqua-culture
The fertilization of aqua-culture ponds with wastewater and excreta has been practiced for thousand of years in Asia. Today it is largely utilized in countries like India and Peru for growing carp and tilapia and certain aquatic crops such as water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis and E. tuberosa), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), etc.
There are many uses of reclaimed wastewater for industrial purposes. Each may require specific levels of treatment. Evaporative cooling towers, which are usual to most industries and power stations require large amounts of make up water which can be provided by reclaimed wastewater.
Other industrial uses are for boilers, stack scrubbing, washing of patios and mechanical parts, and process water. In the same way as in the urban setting, irrigation of areas surrounding industrial plants can be done with reclaimed water.
Irrigation of public parks, recreation centers, sports fields, school yards; green strips along urban streets and roadside strips; gardens, public parks; irrigation of golf courses; ornamental landscapes and decorative water features, such as fountains, water tables and waterfalls; fire supply; toilet and urinal flushing in commercial, industrial and residential buildings; washing of trains and vehicles, civil construction such as soil compaction and concrete preparation, cleansing of drainage and wastewater lines, dust control, etc.
Artificial recharge is the process by which treated wastewater or any other surface water is directed into the ground to replenish an aquifer. The most common purpose of artificial recharge is to store water in times of surplus to meet water demands in times of shortage. However, artificial recharge can also be used to reduce declines in groundwater levels, to control sea water intrusion in coastal aquifers, to control soil subsidence, to maintain base flow in streams, and to raise groundwater levels in order to reduce lift costs.
Reuse for agriculture
On a world-wide basis, wastewater is the most widely used low-quality water, particularly for agriculture and aqua-culture. This high level of demand, associated to scarcity of water resources leads to the consideration that wastewater irrigation of crops as well as for other rural uses should be taken as priority.
Treated effluents can be applied to:
