Water reuse and recycling in Canada — history, current situation and future perspectives

Abstract

Water reuse and recycling in Canada has been alive and viable where there is a need for water conservation or to reduce nutrients going to rivers and lakes. A study on response to reuse shows many people are in favour, but not for drinking or washing/bathing. This is a position when water nearby is plentiful. Reuse of water for irrigation has occurred in Canada since the 1980’s in arid areas of the country. Guidelines have been developed across the country. Provincial or Federal regulation is minimal except for British Columbia. In this paper, reuse in Canada will be broken into three groups; residential, industrial and research. Sustainable development is a driver for residential and institutional sties. Industrial application is driven by lack of availability of water or costs which has led to the Zero Liquid Discharge sites in Canada, particularly in arid areas. There are companies in Canada designing and building equipment to meet the need in Canada and elsewhere. Research is also ongoing on reuse applications for treatment systems for inside sustainable homes and buildings. We are blest with abundant water in part of the country and the arid areas are leading the future for reuse in Canada.