Planning and implementation of non-potable water reuse projects at U.S. Naval installations

Abstract

With the passage of Executive Orders 12902 and 13123, the U.S. Navy has been forced to develop water conservation programs and evaluate how water is used at each of its installations. The central goal of these orders is to reduce potable water consumption at federal facilities. Water reuse and recycling has been listed as a best management practice for achieving this goal. However, only a handful of Navy facilities have implemented water reuse projects to date. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the lack of comprehensive guidance for planning and executing water reuse projects. Consequently, very few Navy facility and energy managers have experience or knowledge regarding water reuse applications. This paper addresses the key factors that must be considered when attempting to execute water reuse projects on Navy installations. Specifically, the following areas are examined: (1) scope and requirements of the U.S. Navy Water Conservation Program, (2) Federal, state, and local regulations, guidance, and other legal issues relating to water reuse, (3) treatment processes used to remove contaminants in order to meet process or regulatory requirements, (4) potential water reuse applications, (5) water storage, (6) risk management, (7) economic considerations, and (8) the project implementation process.