Industrial Wastewater Reuse Applications in Romania

In order to promote industrial wastewater reuse in Romania on a sustainable basis and for wider applications, some key factors should be addressed. Firstly, planning for industrial wastewater reuse is important with reference to meeting specific needs and conditions. This could be facilitated by incorporating industrial wastewater reuse into local plans for water management. Planning process needs to take care of all the sensitive issues including public health, the role of stakeholders, and the viability of operation and maintenance. Secondly, economic and financial requirements are crucial, as less viable schemes for industrial wastewater reuse will only create a social burden and will not last for long. Cost-effectiveness should be given high priority. Partnerships with the private sector and the community may help to improve the level of investment and also to improve efficiency during operation and maintenance, thus reducing the overall cost and making it economically and financially viable. Thirdly, local capacity, including human resources, policy and legal framework, and institutions are very important in achieving sustainable targets of wastewater reuse plans. Capacity building should be an integrated part of the overall plan, and national and international agencies can actively assist in this.