The role of satellite and decentralized strategies in water resources management

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Abstract

Existing and projected water shortages and related factors have helped focus attention on the need for water reuse. With recent technological advances in wastewater treatment, it is now possible to produce reclaimed water of any quality. Thus, the use of reclaimed water will depend on the reuse opportunities and the cost of the required infrastructure. Historically, centralized wastewater treatment facilities have served the needs of organized societies since the mid 1800s. However, as there are limited options for expansion of most existing centralized facilities, the use of satellite and decentralized wastewater management systems offers significant advantages including being close both to the source of wastewater generation and to potential water reuse applications. The comparative advantages of satellite and decentralized wastewater management systems for a number of water reuse applications are presented and discussed in this paper. Selected case studies are presented to demonstrate the utility of satellite and decentralized wastewater management. Specific issues associated with the application of such systems in existing and in new developments are examined and discussed.

Introduction

Centralized water and wastewater treatment facilities have been of critical importance in the management of the water resources of modern societies. The basic idea behind the use of centralized water treatment is that relatively high quality water from various natural sources can be treated to an even higher quality for distribution and use. In an opposite manner, wastewater from numerous individual sources is collected and transported to a centralized location for treatment and dispersal to the environment and/or reuse. Although centralized facilities for water and wastewater have served society well, new approaches are needed as a result of population growth, the concomitant increase in agricultural use of water, and the need to develop more sustainable approaches to water resources management. The use of satellite and decentralized approaches for the management of water and wastewater can play an important role in the future of water resources management. While both water and wastewater are of importance, the focus of this paper is on the role of satellite and decentralized strategies in water resources management, including a discussion of the rationale for the uses of such systems, reuse opportunities for reclaimed water, the types of systems, several case studies to illustrate various applications, and some lessons learned.

Section snippets

Rationale for the use of satellite and decentralized facilities

While centralized facilities have been in common use since the mid 1800s for wastewater management, it has become increasingly clear in recent years that continued dependence solely on such facilities may not be optimal with respect to sustainable water resources management and especially so in water short areas. Concerns with the continued use of centralized facilities include the following.

Water reuse

If satellite and decentralized wastewater management facilities are to be used to reduce the demand for potable water, there should be opportunities to use the reclaimed water from these facilities. Water reuse opportunities and water quality requirements are considered below.

Types of satellite and decentralized systems and infrastructure requirements

The characteristics of satellite systems (also known as distributed systems), which may be considered as an integral part of a centralized treatment system and of decentralized systems which are self-sufficient treatment systems are illustrated on Fig. 1 and described below. The necessary infrastructure requirements are also considered.

Case studies

Two case studies are presented to illustrate the use of satellite and decentralized systems. Additional examples, along with the case studies discussed below, are presented in Table 4. In addition, global positioning coordinates for water reuse facilities are given in Table 4 to enable viewing of these facilities in their natural setting.

Discussion

Because of the increased demand for high quality of water and the fixed amount of natural fresh water that is available, the need for wastewater reclamation and reuse, after appropriate treatment is a fact of life if a sustainable future is envisioned with respect to water. From a review of the data presented in Table 2 it is clear that with currently available technology, wastewater can be treated to any desired quality. Further, with technology currently under development even more

Conclusions

In most parts of the world, the use of reclaimed water is inevitable especially if the current standard of living is to be sustained with respect to the use of water. Because the existing treatment facilities of most large cities are located inappropriately with respect to water reuse, the use of all types of satellite and decentralized systems will become critical in the future, especially until the idea of indirect potable reuse gains wider acceptance. Ultimately, indirect potable reuse by

Acknowledgments

Dr. Gikas wishes to thank the Greek Ministry of Environmental Planning and Public Works, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of California at Davis, for supporting his research activities on wastewater treatment and reuse issues.

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