A Data-Driven Methodology for Assessing Reuse Potential in Existing Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Wastewater reuse is a proven strategy to mitigate water stress in drought-prone regions. However, this practice is still limited due to high implementation costs, regulatory hurdles, and limited public acceptance. In regions with low reclaim rates, a thorough evaluation of the potential for reuse is needed to support decision-making, focusing on opportunities that address both low-hanging fruit and high-leverage projects. This paper introduces a streamlined, data-centric methodology for assessing wastewater reuse potential, adaptable to various regional contexts. The methodology involves comprehensive data collection and processing to evaluate wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) capabilities and identify potential users, allowing the prioritisation of case studies based on demand alignment. Different treatment and distribution systems are analysed to match WWTP capabilities with user needs, considering volume, quality, and infrastructure requirements. Cost analysis incorporates capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX) and unit costs using novel cost functions for treatment and distribution. Risk analysis adheres to WHO methodology to ensure safety and sustainability. A case study in the Lisbon and Oeste areas in Portugal validates this approach, revealing key insights into the potential and economic viability of water reuse. By comparing tariffs and costs associated with different reuse scenarios, this paper offers benchmarks for the economic feasibility of reuse projects.