Wastewater

Wastewater is Water Too

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Water utilities are increasingly viewing wastewater as valuable source of drinking water and how the water and wastewater industries are very similar in the overall size of both industries, and how they both use the same technological approaches and systems. Both industries are faced with critical need for infrastructure replacement and capital expenditure.

Focus On:

Collection Systems

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Wastewater in Smaller Communities

If you have limited water supplies or are subject to droughts, wastewater can augment what you have, provide source diversity, and boost resilience.  You may also gain greater control of your source water quality, which can improve treatment efficiency.

Small System Success

Many small communities successfully recycle wastewater and put that water to use. For example, Sequim, Wash., a town serving about 9,000 customers, uses highly treated municipal wastewater to irrigate city landscaping and playing fields, water a fish pond, flush toilets, recharge groundwater, and supply water to fire hydrants. Wastewater also allowed the town to reduce pollutant loadings and help restore downstream shellfish beds. In summer, nearby Bell Creek flows are replenished with recycled water to improve fish habitat.

Macler, B., Bishop, S.C.M. and Smith, D. (2021), Small Systems: Put Your Wastewater and Stormwater to Use!. Opflow, 47: 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/opfl.1617

Conferences

 

AWWA Policy Statements

AWWA's policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA's position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors. 

Technical Committee Engagement

AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events. Access more information on volunteering for an AWWA committee.

The following committees are active in addressing rates and finances:

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