Waste stream recycling: its effect on water quality

Abstract

Properly treated, blended, and monitored waste streams can be recycled through the water treatment process, thus relieving disposal problems and conserving water. Waste streams recycled to the influent of a water treatment plant typically contain contaminants at concentrations that are of concern. These contaminants may include Giardia and Cryptosporidium, trihalomethanes, manganese, and assimilable organic carbon. This research shows that proper management—treatment, equalization, and monitoring—of the waste streams can render them suitable for recycling in many situations.