Feasibility of Using Reclaimed Water from the Alegria Wastewater Treatment Plant in Concrete Mixing Plants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Due to the rising costs of transportation and the more advanced treatment needed to meet the water demands of the urban population, the costs of potable water tend to increase as cities expand. For some water uses, potable water is not required, such as concrete mixing industries. Previous studies have proven the viability of using reused water in concrete production. In Caju, Rio de Janeiro, four large concrete mixing plants (CMPs) are located close to the Alegria Wastewater Treatment Plant. This study focused on assessing the technical and financial feasibility of reusing these effluents as an alternative source of water for the four CMPs. The alternatives were potable and reused water via two supply methods, water tank trucks and pipelines. All costs were analyzed and projected into the future with the market cost of capital. After comparing the costs, the use of reclaimed water proved to be highly feasible, especially when a using pipeline to supply the CMPs. The present costs for the reclaimed water supply were calculated to be USD 0.99 per m3 for the pipeline alternative and the other alternatives varied in being 5 to 7 times more costly. This water reuse project using pipelines to transport reclaimed water to concrete mixing plants provides a feasible, sustainable alternative water supply in water stressed regions such as Rio de Janeiro.