Water is a basic necessity that is often taken for granted by those who fail to realize that billions of people lack access to this vital product. Water scarcity could become an even more pressing problem as the global population increases. That is why wastewater treatment and recycling for eventual reuse is generating high expectations worldwide with regard to solving future water needs. We asked several DevelopmentAid members who are water experts to share their opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of water reuse, especially for developing countries. Check out their remarks below.
Key Takeaways:
- One in nine people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water, with developing countries being disproportionately affected, particularly in Africa.
- According to the latest data, by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may be facing water shortages.
- Experts state that water reuse will be essential to address the water scarcity risks that exist for so much of the world.
DevelopmentAid: What are the advantages and disadvantages of water reuse, especially for developing countries?
“The advantages are many. Firstly, it helps to reduce water demand in water treatment facilities and reservoirs. That means that we can reserve more potable water for drinking. It can also help to refill water catchments which is critical for areas facing aridification, like countries bordering the Sahel. Of course, there are some limitations to water reuse. It can be expensive for a system to reconfigure itself to allow for reuse, especially if older systems must be retrofit to include the treatment process. Part of the higher costs includes more rigorous water quality testing before reuse, which depends on the reuse purpose (whether industrial, environmental, or residential). Also, water reuse is challenging for the public. People accuse recycled water of being “toilet to tap”, hindering acceptance and requiring intense public engagement to build buy-in. This perception challenge includes government agencies that should generate policies and regulations regarding recycled water, although it’s often not their priority.”
“Water reuse or recycling in developing countries is wastewater that undergoes a partial process of treatment and purification. It is a process of passing wastewater through a treatment process making it better for watering crops when compared to tap water which has chlorine or fluoride that may be harmful to plants. Water reuse can be the direct diversion of wastewater into the system, for purposes such as irrigating crops. It is a low-cost method compared to treating, processing, and consuming new water. The transportation of reused water is less costly as well. Water may also be reused for agriculture or various industries. The disadvantages of reusing water are that there is a potential health risk posed by the bacteria it may contain such as E. coli or other harmful bacteria which are transported to wherever the water is finally used. This might lead to the outbreak of water-borne and food-borne diseases. Most developing countries have a negative perception towards water reuse since they consider it not potable, contaminated, and unsafe for human consumption. The cost of reagents used in water purification are also beyond the reach of the majority of developing nations.”
“Water reuse and recycling provide a potential solution to the global water crisis by providing a new source of clean water, especially in developing countries where access to clean water is often limited. However, there are also several challenges and disadvantages to consider, particularly in these countries, including the lack of infrastructure and financial resources needed to build and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, concerns about the quality of recycled water, and social and cultural barriers to acceptance. Despite these challenges, some developing countries are still implementing water reuse systems, such as Morocco and Namibia. While water reuse and recycling can provide numerous benefits, addressing the challenges and disadvantages will be critical to ensuring the success of these efforts to meet the growing demand for clean water, especially in developing countries.”
“Working in developing countries, I saw that used water was not treated and was just discharged into open drains. The infrastructure for reusing water mostly does not exist. Consequently, wells are drilled deeper and deeper and the water table is lowered so vegetation starts to disappear. As a result, the natural sponge, the fauna, and the flora are going to be eliminated, causing an even further drop in the water table and desertification. It should be a national task of the respective government not only to provide potable water but also to build the necessary infrastructure for its discharge and to reduce the environmental footprint of humans when it comes to water. However, not only does the use of water cause its contamination, but also the lack of waste management, in general, contributes largely to the pollution of rainwater. Water treatment, wastewater treatment, and waste collection are the challenges every government faces with a rapidly growing population and only an integrated approach can tackle this.”
“Competing demand for the limited supply of fresh water is ever-increasing for drinking and various other purposes. Climate change and the unplanned and poorly managed growth of cities have resulted in conflicts between rich and poor, urban and rural settlements, indigenous and immigrants, for the scarce resource of water. Increased piped water systems have negative implications on maintaining the hydrological balance and polluting the natural environment with increased wastewater. An increased volume of wastewater contributes to more greenhouse gases. Hence, urgent attention is required for appropriate treatment technology and the reuse of wastewater, especially in developing countries. Yes! It is possible that 70% to 80% of wastewater can be treated and reused for domestic use with the application of affordable bio-digesters at the household level. These technologies can also utilize micronutrients in wastewater, at its origin for agriculture, as opposed to polluting substances. The application of such technologies results in reducing public water demand and water-related conflicts, reducing wastewater and environmental pollution, and enhancing food security by promoting urban agriculture. Thus, immediate attention is required to have appropriate policy instruments and promotional activities for appropriate and affordable technologies at the household level, wherever possible.”
“The reuse of certain wastewater should not have contraindications or negative impacts, since in fact it constitutes one of the most recommended tools for adaptation in the context of scarcity in developing countries. Perhaps, yes, two aspects could be considered in particular: the care to be taken with certain technological proposals and the infrastructure needs that arise for their implementation. On the one hand, certain methods may not give the results they promise, due to their own deficiencies or due to incorrect application, which can result in water that is not entirely suitable and generate greater evils. On the other hand, not all effluents are the same and therefore require different treatment, and not all systems are ready to proceed with the correct management of each type, so it may require a certain investment that cannot always be made.”
“The global market for water and water security is being driven by population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and growing agricultural demand, and is projected to reach US$27.1 billion by 2026. Despite being increasingly appealing to global socioeconomic contexts, the driving environments for water reuse, however, is still influenced by regulatory and societal issues such as health risks, potential environmental effects, and cost associated with water recycling and reuse. Reducing demands and stress on freshwater supply is in principle a key advantage of water reuse, particularly in areas that have been affected by water scarcity and drought. Recycling and reusing industrial wastewater onsite are now considered a smart business practice and is an economical path to meeting industry’s large-scale water demands. Lessons learned from water reuse in developed and industrialized countries should guide developing countries in encouraging contextual water reuse best practices vis-à-vis standards and regulations that can accommodate “fit for purpose” socio-economic and environmental objectives.”
See also: Water scarcity in rural Africa: who’s to blame? | Experts’ Opinions
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