Abstract
AbstractIncreased water demand attributed to population expansion and reduced freshwater availability caused by saltwater intrusion and drought, may lead to water shortages. These may be addressed, in part, by use of recycled water. Spatial patterns of recycled water use in Florida and California during 2009 were analyzed to detect gaps in distribution and identify potential areas for expansion. Databases of recycled water products and distribution centers for both states were developed by combining the 2008 Clean Water Needs Survey database with Florida's 2009 Reuse Inventory and California's 2009 Recycling Survey, respectively. Florida had over twice the number of distribution centers (n = 426) than California (n = 228) and produced a larger volume of recycled water (674.85 vs. 597.48 mgd (3.78 mL/d = 1 mgd), respectively). Kernel Density Estimation shows the majority of distribution in central Florida (Orlando and Tampa), California's Central Valley region (Fresno and Bakersfield), and around major cities in California. Areas for growth were identified in the panhandle and southern regions of Florida, and northern, southwestern, and coastal California. Recycled water is an essential component of integrated water management and broader adoption of recycled water will increase water conservation in water-stressed coastal communities by allocating the recycled water for purposes that once used potable freshwater.
Highlights
Freshwater scarcity has incentivized mitigation measures that restrict water use, generating novel ideas and innovative technologies to improve water management
The present study examines the spatial pattern of recycled water use in Florida and California during 2009, the most recent year for which data were available for both states
Mean production ranged from a low of 0.34 mgd in Suwannee River Water Management Districts (WMDs) to a high of 1.13 mgd in South Florida WMD (Table 1)
Summary
Freshwater scarcity has incentivized mitigation measures that restrict water use, generating novel ideas and innovative technologies to improve water management. One innovation to increase public water supplies is expansion of water reuse, which may assist in water mitigation strategies, water conservation measures (National Research Council (NRC) ). 45 billion liters (12 billion gallons) of effluent is discharged from wastewater treatment plants into streams and oceans daily. This effluent, if reused as recycled water products, could supply up to 6% of the. Case studies performed by Gude ( ) and Tran et al ( ) suggest best management practices could include demand mitigation and supply enhancement. Enhancement can be achieved by the creation of recycled water production for use within communities (Gude ; Tran et al ). Demand management can become a significant factor for lowering potable water use per capita while increasing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
