EPA Water Reuse Resources
On this page:
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Water Reuse Fundamentals
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How to Get Started with Water Reuse
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EPA Activities Supporting Water Reuse
Water Reuse Fundamentals
EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse and Potable Reuse
The process of using treated wastewater for drinking water is called potable water reuse. Potable water reuse provides another option for expanding or diversifying a region’s water resource portfolio. Since the 1980s, EPA has periodically released guidelines that describe how water reuse is practiced in the United States and other countries.
- The 2017 Potable Reuse Compendium covers multiple topics including the extent of potable water in the United States and the world, the costs of potable water reuse, and the treatment processes used in potable water reuse.
- The 2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse serves as a general reference on water reuse practices. The document provides information related to indirect potable reuse (IPR).
- The 2004 Guidelines for Water Reuse examines opportunities substitute reclaimed water for potable water supplies where potable water quality is not required.
Please visit the potable reuse and drinking water page for additional water reuse guidelines publications.
Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer (REUSExplorer)
In 2022, EPA released the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer (REUSExplorer) to help stakeholders identify regulations and guidelines surrounding water reuse at the state level. This web-based tool allows users to search water reuse regulations and guidelines by state, source of water, and end use. The first end-uses available are potable water reuse, onsite non-potable water reuse, and other centralized non-potable reuse applications, not including agricultural and landscape reuse applications. Subsequent uses and applications will be added in phases throughout 2022
Water Efficiency for Water Suppliers
Only so much freshwater is available for consumption. To keep up with population growth, greater competition of resources, and climate considerations, drinking water suppliers need to adopt best industry practices for water efficiency and new strategies that adjust for changes in water quantity and quality. Water reuse can play a role in reducing stress on water supplies.
How to Get Started with Water Reuse
Implementing Water Reuse Projects in Tribal Communities
Every community faces its own unique water stresses, and tribal communities are no exception. EPA seeks to support tribes, as well as other small communities, by providing models of successful water reuse projects executed at the local scale. To that end, EPA held a July 2020 public webinar to feature case studies and recommendations for tribes interested in pursuing water reuse projects.
EPA Activities Supporting Water Reuse
Water Reuse Action Plan
The National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) was developed in collaboration with partners across the water sector. Actions in the plan are intended to drive progress on reuse and address local and national barriers across a range of topics including technical, institutional, and financial. There are over 100 action leaders and partners working together to advance reuse around the country.
Water Reuse Research
EPA is committed to active engagement and research, with various partners and stakeholders to ensure that water reuse is protective of human health. EPA’s Water Reuse Research areas include:
- Onsite Non-Potable Water Reuse which is one solution that can help communities collect, treat, and reuse water for non-drinking water purposes.
- Water Scarcity and Drought Grant Research these research grants investigate how drought may impact surface water and groundwater quality and availability.
- Human and Ecological Health Impacts Grant Research these research grants measure the health and ecological impacts of water conservation practices such as potable reuse and agricultural water reuse.