Comparison of Predicted Microbiological Human Health Risks Associated with de Facto, Indirect, and Direct Potable Water Reuse

Abstract

Increasing interest in recycling water for potable purposes makes understanding the risks associated with potential acute microbial hazards important. We compared risks from de facto reuse, indirect potable reuse (IPR), and direct potable reuse (DPR) scenarios using a previously published quantitative microbial risk assessment methodology and literature review results. The de facto reuse simulation results are compared to a Cryptosporidium spp. database collected for the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule's information collection rule (ICR) and to a literature review of norovirus (NoV) densities in ambient surface waters. The de facto simulation results with a treated wastewater effluent contribution of 1% in surface waters and a residence time of 30 days most closely match the ICR dataset. The de facto simulations also suggest that using NoV monitoring data from surface waters may overestimate microbial risks, compared to NoV data from raw sewage coupled with wastewater treatment reduction estimates. The predicted risks from IPR and DPR are consistently lower than those for the de facto reuse scenarios assuming the AWTFs are operating within design specifications. These analyses provide insight into the microbial risks associated with various potable reuse scenarios and highlight the need to carefully consider drinking water treatment choices when wastewater effluent is a component of any drinking water supply.

Figure 1.

Simulation results for predicted annual risk of infection from de facto reuse scenarios

Figure 2.

Estimated annual microbial risks for de facto, DPR, and IPR scenarios. IPR scenarios include AWTF component as specified by color and a surface water component which contains 1% treated wastewater effluent with a 30-day retention time (prior to blending with the AWTF product water).