Relevance and Benefits of Urban Water Reuse in Tourist Areas

• Main Authors: Gaston Tong Sang, Valentina Lazarova, Vincent Sturny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-01-01
• Series: Water
• Subjects: dual network; integrated water resource management; cost benefit analysis; sustainable development; urban water reuse
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/4/1/107/

Urban water reuse is one of the most rapidly growing water reuse applications worldwide and one of the major elements of the sustainable management of urban water cycle. Because of the high probability of direct contact between consumers and recycled water, many technical and regulatory challenges have to be overcome in order to minimize health risks at affordable cost. This paper illustrates the keys to success of one of the first urban water reuse projects in the island Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Special emphasis is given on the reliability of operation of the membrane tertiary treatment, economic viability in terms of pricing of recycled water and operating costs, as well as on the benefits of water reuse for the sustainable development of tourist areas.