Created to recycle water from a wastewater treatment plant
What is water reuse (REUSE)?
The answer is already there! With the reuse of treated wastewater (REUT), water that has already been used is treated so that it can be used again. It is like setting up a circular economy system for water, which is an effective alternative for water demand. Doesn’t that make sense?
LREUT is a logical approach to respond to global water challenges, such as scarcity due to increasing droughts. This technology also makes it easier to better manage water demand, as existing facilities such as wastewater treatment plants can be utilised to provide high-quality water. It is an alternative solution for the protection of water, which has become an increasingly scarce and precious resource.
Among other benefits, the REUSE allows to:
- Conserve and reuse water resources
- significantly reduce the need for fresh water
- reduce processing and distribution costs.
What does it consist of?
REUSE implementation may take several forms, including: .
- Collection and treatment of wastewater for agricultural irrigation,
- groundwater refill,
- Filling up hydro-cleaning trucks and road cleaning machines
- the utilisation of rainwater for domestic use.
Diese Praxis kann auch dazu beitragen, die mit der Einleitung von Abwasser verbundenen Umweltauswirkungen zu verringern. Indeed, any nitrate output from the wastewater treatment plant that is reused for irrigation, for example, is a nitrate that doesn’t end up in the river and won’t be purchased by the farmer.
Why reuse wastewater?
Given recent events, no one has missed it, right? Are you interested in climate change? Es gibt immer mehr Dürren, die zu Wasserknappheit führen.
And yet we continue to discharge treated wastewater from treatment plants into the environment without even reusing it. Why not turn wastewater into a precious resource that can help limit water shortages?
But how can wastewater be recycled to make it usable again? That’s where the reuse of treated wastewater comes in.
Sustainable water management is a major challenge facing the world, and the depletion of water resources has become a worrying reality. So it’s time to change our habits and reuse wastewater to meet water needs. Reusing wastewater can help to :
- Reduce pressure on freshwater resources by providing an alternative source of water.
- Reduce pollution of rivers, lakes and oceans by reducing the amount of wastewater discharged into the environment.
The different types of recyclable wastewater.
Most wastewater comes from a variety of urban or industrial sources, each requiring different treatment before reuse. These include
Grey water: this is the waste water discharged from households and which comes from showers, washbasins and washing machines. This water is less contaminated than other types of waste water. They can be treated and reused for irrigation or car washing.
Black water: This water comes from toilets and often contains faecal matter and urine. Although they require more complex treatment, once treated, they can be recycled for non-potable use.
Industrial water: produced by factories and industries, often contains chemical contaminants. Their treatment requires specialized technologies. Once treated, they can also be reused for a variety of applications, helping to conserve water resources.
Everything that is reused is everything that you don't have to consume. It's simple, compact and low-tech.
What are the benefits of water reuse (REUSE)?
Anything that is reused is something you don’t have to consume. What’s more, reusing water saves the network 1.2 to 1.5 times the volume reused.
And you know what? All of this volume will be saved and will remain in the river for fish and other aquatic organisms. But reusing wastewater not only has benefits for the environment and sustainable water management. It also helps to:
- meet food security challenges, by allowing agricultural irrigation;
- respond to political and socio-economic constraints, by making substantial savings on drinking water;
- reduce demand for fresh water, while providing a stable source for non-potable uses. Among these are green space watering, public road cleaning or groundwater refill.
Presentation of the product "Water REUSE Skid" and its advantages
The Skid REUT is an ideal water reuse system for businesses and local authorities. It is easy, compact, low-tech and the skid fits in small spaces.
It works by filtering water through an advanced filtration system that eliminates impurities and contaminants. This filtered water can then be reused in production processes or for agricultural irrigation.
By reusing water, companies can save a lot of money. These include lowering water supply costs, reducing carbon footprints and conserving water resources.
How to set up a water reuse project (REUSE)?
Water reuse projects are becoming increasingly popular because of the economic and environmental benefits they offer. To establish this kind of project, you need to determine the final objective. Depending on these factors, our teams will determine the most appropriate equipment.
- First step, you have to know where you want to go: which application you want to use? Which standard should be respected? Which resource is available?
- The second stage involves assessing the available sources of water: treated wastewater, rainwater or borehole water, surface water, etc. You must determine the desired flow rate here
- Once the water sources have been identified, it is important to determine the quality of the water and the treatment requirements necessary for the intended application: transmittance analysis, TSS, COD, Iron, etc.
- The fourth step is to choose the right equipment for the water quality. A variety of equipment exists. We have prepared a free online design form available below.
- A distribution system must then be developed to suit the use and the treatment equipment. You’ll have a new industrial water network that can supply a wide range of equipment.
- Finally, it is important to ensure regular maintenance of the water reuse system to save money and conserve resources. In most cases, annual cleaning of lamps is enough.
What are the different types of water reuse?
Wherever water is needed, water reuse (WWR) is a promising solution for meeting water needs. There are different types of water reuse, depending on the application and quality requirements.
Urban recycling
In urban areas, the reuse of wastewater contributes to the sustainable management of water resources by minimising dependence on drinking water for non-potable uses.
- Toilets and urinals: Use of treated wastewater to reduce drinking water consumption.
- Fire-fighting systems: Use of non-potable water for fire safety.
- Watering green spaces, parks, stadiums and golf courses: maintaining green urban areas with treated water.
- Fountains, waterfalls and decorative ponds : Supplying decorative water installations in urban environments.
- Rainwater harvesting systems: Collection and use of rainwater for various urban purposes.
- Recharging groundwater or water bodies: Increasing groundwater reserves for sustainable water management in urban areas.
The reuse of wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
Given the current water crisis and climate change, reusing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is a viable and environmentally-friendly solution. Agricultural irrigation is one of the world’s biggest consumers of water. Its use offers a number of advantages, including
- Support for sustainability: It contributes to sustainable water management by reusing an otherwise wasted resource.
- Reducing the use of fertilisers : The nutrients present in wastewater can reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, thereby reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
- Improved soil fertility: Regular irrigation with wastewater can improve soil structure and fertility, increasing the productivity of farmland.
Industrial recycling
The industrial reuse of treated wastewater is a crucial practice for optimising the management of water resources in industrial sectors. It makes it possible to meet a variety of needs while reducing pressure on freshwater sources and minimising the environmental impact of industrial activities.
- Industrial processes to optimise the use of water resources.
- Car washes
- Cooling systems for more efficient water management.
Reusing water for car washing: a very innovative idea.
The environmental challenges we face today are numerous. Among these challenges, responsible water management has become crucial.
One of the many applications of WASTE is car washing, which has the potential to significantly reduce water consumption.
It allows, among other things:
- reduce the environmental impact of car washing
- reuse grey water from urban applications
Implementing wastewater reuse for car washes does, however, require a number of technical considerations. A water filtration and purification system must be installed to ensure that the waste water is properly treated before being reused. This can represent a significant initial investment, but the long-term savings in water consumption can outweigh this cost.
Each of these applications has its own water quality and treatment requirements, as well as its own advantages and disadvantages.
However, the reuse of water for agricultural irrigation and green spaces is one of the most relevant because of the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water leaving the WWTP.
What are the standards and regulations regarding water reuse?
The reuse of wastewater is a practice that is developing rapidly throughout the world, especially in the agricultural sector. However, standards and regulations will change from country to country, and even from region to region. Actually, it depends on the country.
In France, the reuse of treated wastewater (REUT) is governed by two ministerial decrees from2010 and 2014. These regulations define four categories of water (A, B, C, D) with health quality criteria and associated authorised and prohibited uses.
According to Ecologie-Gouv, two new decrees were also published on 21 and 28 December, in application of the decree of 29 August 2023 on the uses and conditions of use of rainwater and treated wastewater. These decrees detail the specific conditions for irrigating crops and green spaces. Their aim is to simplify procedures while guaranteeing a rigorous compliance and quality framework to protect public health and natural ecosystems.
Some countries, particularly in Africa, are very pragmatic when it comes to REUT and have put in place simple, low-cost solutions for reusing water. In Australia, reuse is regulated by very strict standards to guarantee the quality of the reused water, which greatly limits the type of resource that can be reused. Once again, it all depends on the intended end use. If you want to make drinking water from wastewater, then you will need to meet the criteria of the which ensures high water quality for end users.
What are the water treatment techniques for reuse?
There are several techniques for treating water for reuse, adapted to different types of application.
When it comes to recycling wastewater, it’s best to opt for on-demand treatment. This produces water of the right quality for each use, without having to worry about storage.
UV filtration and disinfection are ideal for reusing water after treatment. Storing treated water means chlorinating it to prevent bacterial growth. However, watering fields with chlorinated water is not a good option, is it? Other water treatment techniques such as microfiltration, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration can also be used to remove impurities and contaminants. They are effective, but expensive, both to buy and to run.
The choice of water treatment technology depends on the specific needs of each use. The combination of filtration and UV disinfection is the best quality/price solution. The compact equipment from 1h2o3 will allow you to effectively treat your water upstream of the REUT skid, for example with a drum filter or a lamella settler.
Is the reused water (REUSE) potable?
Reused water is often not sufficiently treated to meet drinking water standard criteria. The question of whether reused water is potable remains a concern for many users. Once again, this depends on the initial objective, the quality of the water and the treatment it has undergone. Reused water can be treated to make it potable using advanced water treatment technologies such as ozonation and nanofiltration. But these technologies are expensive, and all equipment must be certified, further increasing their prices.
However, the large cost of this treatment raises questions about its relevance. Is the cost and complexity of this water purification process worth it? Indeed, the reused water from the wastewater treatment plant still contains nitrates and phosphorus. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use this source of nutrient-rich water for agriculture than to make it drinkable at a high price? Technology makes it possible to produce anything, even drinking water from wastewater. Honestly, though, at what cost?
How does the 1h2o3 Water REUSE skid work?
The 1h2o3 skid is an innovative system for reusing recycled water. It is working in a simple and efficient way. The principle is to filter and purify waste water to make it reusable.
- When you turn on the tap, the water comes out under pressure.
- Drop in pressure triggers pumping.
- The pumped water is filtered and then disinfected
- A control valve allows the flow rate to be adjusted. The recommended operating flow rate will depend on the transmittance of the water source.
- Once the filter is clogged, a solenoid discharge valve opens to discharge the particles.
We decided not to make any drinking water. In fact, 99% of REUT applications require non-potable water. We just need it to be clean enough to reach the desired quality grades. The 1h2o3 skid is therefore an ideal solution for reusing water in a wide range of applications such as agricultural irrigation, industrial cleaning and even production.. It’s also intended to be easily integrated into existing systems. It can be used to treat waste water from homes, public buildings or even factories. Economical, it considerably reduces drinking water costs, while cutting wastewater disposal costs. Compact, it is designed to be combined with other 1h2o3 modular equipment to meet different water treatment needs. To get an estimate for your project, we invite you to fill out the sizing form on the skid’s page!
Presentation of the Water REUSE Skid and its function
The REUT skid reduces drinking water consumption for local authorities and businesses. With this system, you can create a second non-potable water network, known in our jargon as an industrial water network.
The system uses advanced technologies to purify industrial water, enabling companies to save money and reduce their environmental impact. Treatment process includes pumping, filtration, disinfection and flow control. The skid is available in different sizes. Every company has a model that is adapted to its needs. What’s more, using non-potable water helps to preserve freshwater resources by avoiding drawing on reserves.
Technologies used to recycle water
The reuse of treated water is becoming increasingly important for preserving our planet’s freshwater resources. But concerns about the quality of recycled water can make people sceptical about using this method. That’s where the Water REUSE skid comes in, with its high processing performance and reasonable cost. REUSE skid is very simple. A simple pump that can draw in the water to be treated loads the skid. Automatic filtration removes impurities from the treated water, producing clean, high-quality water. Disinfection is completed by an automatic cleaning device. Manual regulation allows the flow rate to be adjusted to the user’s needs.
REUSE Skid's performance in terms of recycled water quality
Thanks to its process, the REUT 1h2o3 skid can produce water of class A quality, close to that of drinking water. It all depends on your transmittance in fact, therefore on the treatment performance of your wastewater treatment plant.
Transmittance measures the amount of light. that passes through a sample of water. The higher the transmittance, the clearer and cleaner the water. The Reut skid is sensitive to the transmittance of the treated water. The clearer the water, the greater the flow of reused water.
REUSE Skid’s performance is also related to the embedded fine filtration technology (20 microns). This allows us to achieve quality classes from A to D, at specific flow rates for each device depending on the quality of the resource.
Water reuse skid benefits
There are so many advantages to reusing water that it begs the question: why isn’t this technology more widespread?
With skid reut, you can save thousands and thousands of litres of water every day. Here are some benefits of 1h2o3’s Water REUSE skids:
- Compactness: easy to install on new or existing projects.
- Easy handling: with open structure for transpallet
- High quality level: possible to reach A quality depending on the resource
- High flow rate: up to 45 m3/h, flow rate adjusted to transmittance
- Simplicity: no calibration of sensors, the skid works autonomously once primed.
- High quality and recyclable materials: unlike fiberglass, all materials used in our equipment are 100% recyclable.
How do you make water crystal clear?
Making water crystal clear is an essential process for guaranteeing its quality and safety, particularly when it comes to reusing wastewater. Once treated, wastewater can be processed so that it can be safely reused for a variety of purposes, not only preserving natural water resources but also contributing to more sustainable management of this precious resource.
Reuse of treated wastewater (REUT)
Wastewater reuse is the process of purifying wastewater to make it clean and safe for specific uses. This treatment is necessary to eliminate contaminants, reduce pollution and make the water clear. Once treated, this water can be reused in a variety of sectors, such as irrigation, industrial cleaning or for certain domestic applications.
Steps to clear water
The purification process involves a number of stages that are essential for obtaining clean, clear and safe water:
- Filtering This is the first stage of treatment, where the water passes through filters to remove large impurities and suspended particles, such as solid debris. This stage quickly eliminates visible objects that can cloud the water.
- Coagulation and flocculation After filtration, chemicals (such as metal salts) are added to the water to cause small particles and impurities to agglomerate. These flocs (aggregates of particles) are formed and then eliminated by sedimentation or secondary filtration.
- Biological or chemical treatments: If necessary, additional biological or chemical treatments can be applied to eliminate dissolved organic matter, nutrients or other pollutants that cannot be eliminated by the previous methods.
- Disinfection Disinfection: The last crucial stage is disinfection, which kills or neutralises any pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.) that may be present in the water. This can be achieved by methods such as chlorination, ozonation or, more commonly, UV (ultraviolet light) disinfection. This method ensures that the water is completely free of germs and micro-organisms, making it safe for further use.
Benefits of clear, reused water
The process of purifying waste water and transforming it into clear water offers a number of advantages:
- Water conservation: This reduces dependence on drinking water for non-essential uses, which is particularly crucial in regions where access to fresh water is limited.
- Reducing pollution: Treating wastewater limits the negative effects of polluted water discharged into the environment, thereby preserving the quality of aquatic ecosystems.
- Reuse for multiple purposes: Once purified, water can be used for irrigation, industry and the management of public spaces (street cleaning, etc.), thereby reducing the pressure on drinking water resources.
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Qu’il s’agisse de la réutilisation des eaux usées industrielles ou d’un système complet sur mesure, nos ingénieurs peuvent vous aider à sélectionner la parfaite combinaison d’équipements pour vos besoins.
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