Ameliorating water crises through sustainable wastewater reuse in Hengshui, China

Abstract

Wastewater recycling and reuse systems are commonly used to ameliorate water crises and could provide additional water resources as well as reduce or eliminate pollution. Given the economic difficulties of sustaining operations, however, a cost‐effective wastewater reclamation system is critically important. A wastewater reclamation system was designed for the Taocheng District of Hengshui, China, a region suffering both a water crisis and financial difficulties. The project incorporates a sewage treatment plant, natural waterways, and a constructed wetland, all designed with careful consideration of local hydrologic and geographic conditions. The authors address the system—s role in guaranteeing effluent quality and quantity and the estimated anticipated benefits—including those from accompanying land‐use changes—that serve to offset operational expenses. The authors believe that when cost‐benefit considerations are taken into account, the wastewater reclamation proposal described here represents a viable and feasible project that offers a sustainable solution to China—s water crisis.