george tchobanoglous

As Iran moves forward with the development of a sustainable integrated water management plan, water reuse, including the potable reuse, can play an important role in the overall success and implementation of the plan. As part of this effort, the Iranian journal of water and wastewater requested papers on the subject of water reuse. In response to that request, this paper, to be published in three parts, deals specifically with the subject of water reuse and the potential application of potable reuse in Iran. The principal focus of this paper (Part I) is on the background information that is necessary to understand and assess the potential application of potable reuse in Iran. Topics addressed in this paper include: 1) consideration for why potable water reuse in Iran, 2) background information on potable water reuse, 3) a comparative assessment of potable water reuse with alternative sources of water supplies. The information presented in this paper is needed to understand the issues and challenges presented in the subsequent papers. Technical and regulatory issues related to potable reuse are considered in Part II. The path forward and implementation challenges, including public outreach, are addressed in Part III.

This paper (Part II) is the second in a series of three papers on water reuse and the potential application of potable water reuse in Iran. Introductory and background material on potable reuse was presented in Part I. The principal focus of this paper (Part II) is on the technical and regulatory issues that must be considered in implementing a potable water reuse program. Topics addressed in this paper include: 1) public health considerations in potable reuse, 2) representative advanced treatment trains used in potable reuse, 3) the importance of source control, 4) upgrade to secondary wastewater treatment plant for potable reuse, and 5) environmental buffer for potable reuse. The path forward and implementation challenges, including public outreach, are addressed in Part III.

This paper (Part III) is the third in a series of three papers on potential application of water reuse for potable use. Introductory and background material on potable water reuse was presented in Part I. Technical and regulatory issues related to potable water reuse were presented in Part II. The principal focus of this paper (Part III) is on the issues that must be evaluated, beyond the technical and regulatory issues discussed in Part II, when considering potable water reuse. Topics addressed in this paper include: 1) the path forward for potable water reuse in Iran; 2) implementation challenges, including those associated with public outreach for potable reuse application in Iran; and 3) closing thoughts on the future of potable reuse in Iran. In the path forward, the case is made for employing a decentralized wastewater management strategy utilizing satellite wastewater reclamation facilities for water reuse, including potable reuse. The lack of operating experience with advanced water treatment facilities and potable reuse regulations are among the many challenges that must be overcome in the implementation of potable water reuse in Iran. To meet future water needs a sustainable water resources management program that includes potable reuse, as part of the water portfolio, must be developed for Iran.

Iran is facing with a serious water crisis, which must be addressed if Iran is to move forward in becoming a developed nation. Iran’s water shortage problem has been caused by multiple factors including limited surface and groundwater availability. The current water shortage in Iran is an issue that can only be resolved by considering the entire water portfolio. One alternative solution to the water shortage problem in Iran is to adapt an integrated sustainable water management system though efficient utilization of the existing water supplies including the adoption of an effective water reclamation and water reuse program. Reclaimed water could be used to augment existing water supply sources for both non-potable and potable purposes. This introductory paper is part of a series of articles documenting the use of reclaimed water for potable reuse. Topics covered in this introductory paper include: (1) an introduction to the water situation in Iran, (2) identification of the types of potable reuse, (3) presentation of successful potable reuse projects including lessons learned, (4) brief summary of key implementation components of a successful potable reuse program, and (5) special challenges and barriers on implementation of potable reuse in Iran, and (6) the benefits expected from potable reuse program in Iran. Additional information on technical aspects including operations and monitoring, and more detail information on the implementation of water reuse program will be presented in the future articles.