What is purified recycled water?

Utilising wastewater as a resource unlocks many advantages water-supply options like seawater desalination. One of the key benefits this alternative provides is water conservation. Recycling wastewater –even sewage! — relieves the pressure on traditional water sources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, which are frequently stressed.

Reutilising wastewater is also a handy resource for facing water scarcity and droughts. Thanks to advanced treatment, recycled water becomes a sustainable source for non-drinking purposes.

PRW is cost-effective both financially and environmentally. It not only provides long-term economic savings related to water use, but also helps to safeguard ecosystems and maintain a natural balance by reducing freshwater extraction, thus limiting negative effects on aquatic environments. 

Purified recycled water has been around for many years and is the go-to solution for water-scarce locations where water sustainability is key for human life and industrial operation. There are notable PRW projects around the world, proving its benefits.

Western Corridor Recycled Water Project (Australia)

One of the largest and most effective purified recycled-water programs in the world is the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project in Queensland, Australia. It supplies the region with a sustainable and drought-resistant water supply by purifying wastewater to a high quality and distributing it for irrigation purposes. The initiative has greatly lowered the demand for potable water while improving the ’area’s water security.

Orange County Water District (USA)

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) in California, USA, has one of the world’s most extensive indirect potable reuse systems. The groundwater replenishment system uses modern treatment technologies to purify reclaimed water to near-distilled grade. The cleaned water is subsequently injected into groundwater basins, recharging local aquifers, and ensuring the region’s long-term water supply.

Singapore’s NEWater Programme

Singapore, a city-state with limited freshwater supplies, established the NEWater initiative, transforming water management. The initiative uses advanced membrane technologies and ultraviolet disinfection to clean wastewater to ultra-pure standards. Purified water is subsequently used for non-potable purposes such as industrial processes, irrigation, and even indirect potable reuse. Singapore’s NEWater programme has increased water sustainability and security while reducing dependency on imported water.

At GHD, we believe it is our professional responsibility as changemakers to reconsider our traditional connection with water, particularly wastewater. By using an interdisciplinary and diverse approach to water planning and evaluation, we may uncover opportunities and expedite our common ambition of securing stable, high-quality drinking water supplies worldwide.

We believe using wastewater as a resource is crucial to building resilient, inspired, productive, and connected communities. We provide various services, such as feasibility studies, planning, design, project management, construction and asset management, and operational optimisation. To increase quality and manage asset costs, our network of professionals does selective research, conducts pilot trials, fine-tunes current systems, and transfers innovations from other industries.

Our water services include:

• Aquatic science
• Water treatment and desalination
• Water collection and distribution
• Wastewater treatment and recycling
• Maritime and coastal engineering
• Hydrology and hydrodynamics
• Hydrogeology
• Future of water services
• Dams

To learn more about how we can help you consider purified recycled water and other water services, browse our water expertise and services page. Visit our website to know more about us and our efforts in sustainability. Together, let’s unlock more opportunities for a sustainable future.

Articles referenced

^{GHD n.d., ‘Purified recycled water — A closer look at the benefits and opportunities of PRW’, retrieved June 27, 2023, from Building Water-resilient Communities with PRW | GHD Insights}

^{GHD n.d., ‘Wastewater treatment and recycling’, retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.ghd.com/en/expertise/wastewater-treatment-and-recycling.aspx}

^{GHD n.d., ‘Water’, retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.ghd.com/en/expertise/water.aspx}

^{Seqwater n.d., ‘Purified recycled water’, retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.seqwater.com.au/purified-recycled-water}