The Critical Role of Water Recovery in Modern Wastewater Systems

By Emily Newton

An effective wastewater system does more than transport and process liquid waste. It must also convert it back into usable water, whether potable or not. Consequently, professionals in the industry must prioritize water recovery.

Importantly, reclaiming water should go beyond filtering out contaminants. While filtration is certainly crucial, it’s easy for such processes to trap water and downstream resources. Modern wastewater systems must address this issue.

Why Water Recovery Matters

The importance of recovering usable water is more than a passing trend. Optimizing water reuse technologies and processes yields several tangible benefits for organizations in this industry.

Cost Efficiency

The most straightforward advantage of water recovery is that it minimizes ongoing costs. A higher-efficiency recycling system means companies stretch a given volume further. Fewer new water withdrawals will be necessary, leading to lower operating expenses.

A single family wastes an average of 9,400 gallons of water annually, and commercial figures are likely far higher. Such massive consumptive use means organizations spend significantly more on water than necessary. Consequently, efficient reuse processes can lead to dramatic cost savings.

Sustainability

Recovering water is also a matter of environmental sustainability. The world has a limited supply of freshwater, but consumption keeps climbing. As the trend continues, it could worsen things for half of the global population that already faces severe water scarcity.

Direct human impacts aside, water waste contributes to habitat destruction, higher pollutant concentrations and soil degradation. In light of these effects, no sustainability initiative is complete without addressing water recovery. That’ll become increasingly crucial as public pressure to go green rises.

Regulatory Compliance

In some cases, water reuse may even play a role in complying with government regulations. Some temporary restrictions carry fines as high as $2,000 per acre-foot of water beyond acceptable limits. Such laws vary among states, but as water scarcity rises, they’ll likely appear across more of the nation.

Water Reuse Technologies for Modern Wastewater Systems

Meeting cost, sustainability and regulatory demands begins with choosing the optimal water reuse technology. These systems come in several forms today.

Membranes

The simplest and most common solution is a membrane. At their most basic, such technologies are little more than a series of filters to let water pass through while stopping physical contaminants. However, newer versions offer substantial improvements.

One of the biggest problems with conventional membrane systems is backwash. Older filters require extensive backwashing to remove all solids, which leads to significant waste. Using air pressure to force water through filters instead can result in over 50% less backwash water while maintaining the same purity level.

Given their smaller pore size, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration are ideal for removing additional material. However, these also require additional pressure, so they’re not always the most energy-efficient option.

Biofiltration

Biofiltration is a more sophisticated approach. This water reuse technology uses microorganisms — often specific bacterial strains — to break down contaminants. While it requires more infrastructure and upfront costs than many alternatives, it’s highly effective at removing biological impurities and is safer for humans and the environment than chemical treatment.

It’s important to note that biofiltration does not eliminate inorganic pollutants, so it’s not a good fit for all wastewater systems. You can pair it with membranes or other filtration methods to achieve more comprehensive cleaning, but too many steps may limit water recovery levels.

Evaporators

Thermal evaporation also deserves attention. As the name implies, evaporators heat water to the point of evaporation, leaving contaminants behind. Despite being straightforward, it’s an effective way to process wastewater with minimal water loss.

Like membranes, evaporators come in many forms, each with unique advantages. Film evaporators are ideal in many cases because they prevent deterioration by using a vacuum and minimizing contact with the heating surface. Consequently, they preserve the water’s quality and avoid fouling equipment.

Short-path or air-swept evaporators may be preferable for their energy efficiency and short cycle times. The optimal choice depends on the specific wastewater system in question, as operational constraints and goals vary.

The Internet of Things

All water reuse technologies are most effective when you use them with additional tech. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most important of these innovations.

IoT sensors can monitor wastewater streams in real time and make this data remotely accessible. As a result, you can ensure the system maintains acceptable levels without disruptive conventional testing. In many cases, IoT solutions can automatically adjust filtration equipment in response to changing conditions, resulting in optimal output while using as little energy as possible.

You can also use the IoT to monitor maintenance factors. That way, you can detect and fix emerging issues before they cause larger problems in water quality or performance.

How to Make the Most of Water Recovery Systems

Once you understand what various water reuse technologies have to offer, you can choose an ideal method for your facility. Often, combining multiple techniques will result in the greatest freshwater extraction. For example, evaporators help reclaim the remaining water left over from membrane filtration. However, you must ensure these combinations don’t dramatically raise energy consumption.

Regardless of what kind of system you use, ongoing monitoring is crucial. IoT solutions are ideal here, thanks to their real-time functionality, wireless accessibility and potential for automation. Using the IoT for water recovery equipment maintenance is particularly valuable — this approach can reduce downtime by up to 50% and enhance ongoing performance.

It’s also important to reassess your water recycling systems to find opportunities to improve. Perform an energy audit and water waste analysis at least annually to find inefficiencies and possible fixes. That way, you can modify your strategy over time to minimize water loss and maximize cost efficiency and sustainability.

Wastewater Systems Need Reliable Recovery Solutions

Wastewater infrastructure must reduce its water waste. Achieving that goal starts with recognizing what reuse technologies are available and learning how to implement them properly.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to efficient water recycling, effective options exist for organizations of any size and setup. Once businesses recognize these opportunities, they can begin their efficiency journey.

Emily Newton is a construction and industrial journalist. She is also the Editor-in-Chief for Revolutionized Magazine. Keep up with Emily by subscribing to Revolutionized’s Newsletter.