Water/Waste Processing - Feb 2012
if some trace chemical residual concerns exist it is more appropriate to add polishing technology closer to the consumer at the drinking water plant The quality needs are reflected in the treatment technology selection so a lengthy list of MCLs targeted to planned reuse is not needed because drinking water standards should apply to all supplies Some treatment guidelines would be useful as well as Drinking Water Health Advisory type benchmarks for chemicals of potential interest such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides and some other chemicals of emerging concern to assist design engineers and to assure the public that no unresolved risks exist in the final product Recycle programs for other commodities like paper plastic and glass are usually difficult to justify economically because of the high cost of collection and transport On the other hand wastewater recycling already has the collection and transport system sewers in place so it is an ideal application Although wastewater treatment and recycling really should be funded by the users who benefit and federal funds are limited development of wastewater reuse for beneficial purposes is worthy of much greater encouragement by the federal and state governments because the payback in the long run for society is so great Dr Joseph Cotruvo is president of Joseph Cotruvo and Associates LLC Water Environment and Public Health Consultants He holds a Ph D in Physical Organic Chemistry and is a member of the World Health Organizations Guidelines for Drinking water Quality Committee and expert advisory groups on drinking water quality desalination wastewater and water reuse He is a former director of the USEPA Drinking Water Standards Division Write In 106 www waterwaste com Water Waste Processing February 2012 9
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