Effluent reuse: Enable reuse of industrial or municipal effluent to reduce reliance on freshwater
Strategy Description
Take return flows (treated wastewater) from industrial, municipal, or commercial operations and reuse that water for other industrial purposes. This approach supports development without needing to withdraw additional freshwater, while also reducing release of treated wastewater back into the river.
Possible Benefits
- Takes pressure off smaller streams
- May improve water quality for downstream users by reducing the treated effluent returned to the river
- Could provide a back-up water source when fresh water systems are stressed
- Effluent suppliers can save on water treatment
Possible Trade-offs
- Reduced tributary flows from reduced return flows might affect fish and aquatic species if implemented on a large scale
