A critical review on sustainability assessment of recycled water schemes

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2012-06, Vol.426, p.13-31
• Main Authors: Chen, Zhuo, Ngo, Huu Hao, Guo, Wenshan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Assessments; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Decision making; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecological risk assessment; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; environmental assessment; Environmental assessment tools; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Integrated approaches; Life cycle assessment; Life cycle engineering; material flow analysis; multi-criteria decision making; Multi-criteria decision making framework; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Recycled; Recycled water; Risk Assessment; Strategy; Sustainability; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Water Purification - methods; Water resources; water reuse; water supply; Water Supply - analysis; Water Supply - statistics & numerical data; Water treatment and pollution; water use
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.055

Recycled water provides a viable opportunity to supplement water supplies as well as alleviate environmental loads. To further expand current schemes and explore new recycled water end uses, this study reviews several environmental assessment tools, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) in terms of their types, characteristics and weaknesses in evaluating the sustainability of recycled water schemes. Due to the limitations in individual models, the integrated approaches are recommended in most cases, of which the outputs could be further combined with additional economic and social assessments in multi-criteria decision making framework. The study also proposes several management strategies in improving the environmental scores. The discussion and suggestions could help decision makers in making a sound judgement as well as recognising the challenges and tasks in the future. ► Review of three environmental assessment tools in recycled water assessment ► Recommendation of integrated assessment approaches in sustainable development ► Construction of a multi-criteria decision making framework ► Proposal of management strategies in improving environmental scores