Applying a Circular Economy to the Water Community: A Holistic Approach

The water community's continued adherence to a traditional, use-and-discard linear economy could be detrimental to the environment and the global population. Circular economies realize financial and ecological benefits by fully optimizing resources and products through reduction of materials and waste, recovery of materials for reuse, and recycling. By espousing the practices of a circular economy, with water reuse at its core, water utilities can contribute to economic and environmental well-being and help protect a threatened resource. © 2022 American Water Works Association.