Treated domestic effluents for non-potable reuse: microbial risk assessment and economic viability

In this study, we applied quantitative microbial risk assessment and net present value methodologies to evaluate the economic viability and safety of wastewater treatment to produce water for reuse. We found payback periods of three to over 15 years for investment in the universalisation of sanitati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban water journal 2024-03, Vol.21 (3), p.349-363
Main Authors: da Silva Santos, Luciene, de Simone Souza, Hugo Henrique, Amoah, Isaac Dennis, Magri, Maria Elisa, Nobuyoshi Ide, Carlos, Loureiro Paulo, Paula
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
E coli
Economics
Effluent treatment
Effluents
financial feasibility
Health risks
Household wastes
Ingestion
Microorganisms
Occupational exposure
reclaimed water
Risk analysis
Risk assessment
Sanitation
Sanitation services
wastewater recycling
Wastewater reuse
Wastewater treatment
Water reuse
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Summary:In this study, we applied quantitative microbial risk assessment and net present value methodologies to evaluate the economic viability and safety of wastewater treatment to produce water for reuse. We found payback periods of three to over 15 years for investment in the universalisation of sanitation services in the selected municipalities, wherein the most feasible scenarios were those in which water reuse was carried out at its maximum potential. Microbial risk was assessed in terms of reduced concentrations of Escherichia coli. Results show that reuse of wastewater treated by different plant configurations for crop irrigation, involving only secondary treatment processes, presented high risk of infection for both farmers and consumers (3.50E-02 ± 3.10E-03 and 5.80E 02 ± 3.30E-03, respectively). In the urban and industrial context, it did not pose any risk beyond the tolerable risk recommended by WHO, except for the worker's droplet ingestion route of exposure (2.40E-03 ± 3.80E-03).
ISSN:1573-062X
1744-9006
DOI:10.1080/1573062X.2023.2295309