Recycling of Reclaimed Water in China: Current Situation, Development Trend, and Countermeasures

Abstract

Recycling of reclaimed water is an important way to develop water resources and reduce pollution discharge. At present, the utilization rate of reclaimed water is low in China and the recycling system is inadequate. Therefore, from the perspective of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" dual carbon propulsion and "water resources protection, water environment governance, and water ecological restoration" three water co-governance, this study first systematically combined the water resources situation, water supply structure, urban domestic sewage collection and treatment, and recycling of reclaimed water in all provinces （municipalities and autonomous regions）. Data collected in 2022 showed that the capacity of municipal sewage treatment was approximately 62.689 billion cubic meters annually, the capacity of reclaimed water production was approximately 28.98 billion cubic meters annually, and the utilization rate of reclaimed water was approximately 28.76%. There were 20 provinces with the utilization rate of reclaimed water less than 25%, among which the utilization rate of reclaimed water was less than 5% in Shanghai, Chongqing, Xizang, and Jiangxi. The situation of water resources did not match the development of the utilization rate of reclaimed water. Therefore the utilization paths of reclaimed water must be broadened and the utilization rate of reclaimed water must be improved crucially. Moreover, the related policies, laws, and regulations and standards of reclaimed water in China were listed. The technical and benefit feasibility analysis of reclaimed water utilization was carried out, and the development trends and existing problems of reclaimed water utilization in China were investigated. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions of the recycling of reclaimed water from the aspects of technology development, management policy, fund guarantee, and publicity incentive are proposed, to promote the resource treatment of sewage, realize the synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon emissions in sewage treatment, help achieve the goal of carbon peak carbon neutrality, and accelerate the construction of a beautiful China. This study can provide reference and guidance for regional recycling of reclaimed water.