Successful wastewater reuse scheme and sustainable development: a case study in Adelaide

Freshwater availability to meet the growing needs of humankind has raised serious concerns in the recent past. Two immediate responses to counter this challenge are efficient allocation of the scarce resources, and development and use of alternative sources of water. While 'water markets' are seen as a means to achieve efficient allocation of the scare resources, treated wastewater and low-quality water are now considered as potential sources of water to supplement the freshwater supplies. However, the latter option, that is use of reclaimed water as an alternative, imposes concerns regarding its suitability to sustain development. This is because of various issues related to wastewater usage and application. At the same time, it is also true that a successful and well-planned reuse scheme can help achieve sustainability as evidenced in some isolated cases around the world. In line with this, the current paper adopts a case-study approach to demonstrate how a successful reuse scheme in Adelaide, South Australia, has contributed to the sustainable development of the region. The paper looks into the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability and arrives at a conclusion that properly planned and managed reuse schemes backed with effective regulatory and policy measures can lead to sustainable development.