Black & Veatch Sponsors Reuse Roundtable

Oct. 23, 2009
Opening address by Robert Glennon sparks discussion of water sustainability challenges and solutions

On Oct. 12, Black & Veatch hosted a roundtable discussion on water reuse with more than a dozen water and wastewater industry leaders attending the WEFTEC conference in Orlando, Fla. Dan McCarthy, president and CEO of Black & Veatch’s global water business, hosted the event; and Cindy Wallis-Lage, vice president and chief of Black & Veatch’s Water Technology Group, was the moderator.

Robert Glennon, a water law professor at the University of Arizona and author of Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It, opened the roundtable with a presentation about how clean, safe water is becoming increasingly scarce while water demands continue to rise as precious resources peak. He cited specific examples of water crises in large municipalities and small towns across the United States and offered practical, sustainable solutions for preventing a water catastrophe in the future.

A discussion amongst the utility leaders identified some barriers to reuse that they have faced, and then explored potential ways to overcome those challenges. Among the impediments to increased reuse they mentioned were population changes, conflicts over water transfer rights and the lack of integrated water/wastewater agencies. To ensure a secure water future, participants agreed, it will be necessary to break away from a silo-mindset and explore regional solutions for water reuse.

Another key to the future success of reuse is a change in public perception of this important resource, participants said. Admitting the problem with their customers’ acceptance of reuse is the first step toward dealing with such concerns. One utility leader shared how his community successfully tackled reuse acceptance by not “sugarcoating” the topic. Educating the public early was seen to be an effective way to promote long-term acceptance of reuse.

Shifting priorities can be a challenge for utilities considering reuse, participants pointed out. One industry leader mentioned a paradox: Utilities that successfully encourage water conservation are actually reducing their revenue, which leads to less funding available to implement reuse.

If future water needs are to be met, participants agreed, reuse will soon shift from being merely prudent to an absolutely critical part of an integrated water portfolio.

Source: Black & Veatch

Sponsored Recommendations

Blower Package Integration

March 20, 2024
See how an integrated blower package can save you time, money, and energy, in a wastewater treatment system. With package integration, you have a completely integrated blower ...

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.