Reclaimed wastewater as a resource for sustainable water management

"Population growth accompanied by higher standard of living and ongoing drought conditions caused by changing climatic patterns tend to make water availability as a key national issue not only at present but for the decades to come. The urban cities located around the coastal areas look for the possibility of desalination of sea water whereas the inland cities explore wastewater reuse as a last resort for indirect potable use to meet the envisaged water shortage.The concept of reclaimed wastewater to be considered as a resource rather than a waste has been a subject of debate. There are many instances of communities practicing the unplanned indirect potable reuse unknowingly. This paper reviews some indirect potable reuses practiced in the world, the treatment methodologies adopted and discusses how stakeholders can contribute for continued sustainable supply of these water resources."