The United States Geological Survey Water Resources Research Act Program: Grant Details for Project 2010DE177B

Details for Project ID 2010DE177B

The Use of Recycled Water for Irrigation of Turf and Landscape Plants

Institute: Delaware
Year Established: 2010 Start Date: 2010-06-01 End Date: 2011-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $3,500 Total Non-Federal Funds: $7,000

Principal Investigators: Anastasia Chirnside, Stephanie Hahn

Abstract: Water scarcity and water quality issues across the country are increasing the demand and acceptance by consumers for the use of recycled water. Agricultural and landscape irrigation is the largest user of water resources. Therefore, it is no surprise that the most common type of water reuse has been for crop irrigation and landscape irrigation in urban areas. As the demand for recycled water increases, the need for regulations and recommendations to ensure human safety and to minimize adverse environmental impacts becomes apparent. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued voluntary guidelines that suggest the level of treatment, the minimum quality for reuse, and the type of monitoring required. Because of the increase use of recycled water, many states have begun to develop water reuse regulations. Due to severe water shortages and the increase use of recycled water, states such as California, Florida, Texas and Arizona are leading the way in the development of water reuse regulations. Californias regulations regarding the use of recycled water are outlined in Title 22, Code of Regulations on Water Recycling Criteria of the California Administrative Code. These regulations address the quality of the reclaimed wastewater as well as the type of equipment required to produce compliant water. Ultimately, it is the end use of the recycled wastewater that determines the level of treatment. The objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive literature review that defines from a nation-wide perspective where the research is at present and outlines what areas of research are needed in order to promote the use of recycled water in the future.