Federal wastewater reuse policy: Institutional and attitudinal obstacles to national progress

Abstract

Wastewater reuse has been adopted relatively seldom as a water management method in the United States. This paper traces the development of federal wastewater reuse policy in the water quality planning process and its slow implementation. Obstacles to reuse adoption include lack of enforcement of regulations, economic constraints, inadequate evaluation of reuse's water supply benefits, and conservative attitudes on the part of planners. Recent policy initiatives may reduce some of these obstacles.