The prospect of utilizing recycled wastewater in conserving freshwater usage in an industrial park

Abstract

Recycled wastewater has been identified as an alternative source of domestic water. This paper assesses whether the utilization of recycled wastewater produced by an industrial park in Batam Island could reduce the freshwater extraction from the primary source. The analysis is carried out by probing the record of water usage and the sewage treatment plant’s production in the industrial park for almost 2 years. The recycled wastewater’s quality limits its usage only for gardening and toilet flushing. Even if it cannot cover all sorts of activities, utilizing recycled wastewater could conserve freshwater significantly. The industrial park also could reap another benefit by paying less for freshwater extraction. However, the existing plumbing system does not have a specific distribution line for both gardening and flushing. Therefore, the industrial park must rebuild the entire plumbing system lest the recycled wastewater would mix with the clean freshwater and prevent the workers from using it.