On September 14, WateReuse, AWWA, WEF and NWRI released a framework document that provides an overview of elements to be considered in the development of a direct potable reuse (DPR) program. As EPA is not planning to develop national guidance for potable reuse in the near term, the four funders of the document financed the project to provide information that would be useful for utilities, communities and states considering DPR as a potential component of a water supply portfolio. In an article in Bloomberg BNA, EPA said the document would be used as a jumping off point help the agency consider the kind of guidance they might provide to the states.
The framework addresses three key areas for a DPR program: regulatory considerations (for protection of public health), technical considerations for the production of water suitable for direct and indirect potable reuse applications and public outreach.
The Framework for Direct Potable Reuse and a summary document outlining the approach taken to develop the framework and the contents of each chapter is available online. Specific chapters include key components of a successful DPR program, public health and regulatory aspects for a program and several chapters addressing source control programs, wastewater treatment, advanced water treatment, residuals management, process monitoring and facility operations.
The final chapter highlights some future needs in these three areas. The framework was developed by an independent advisory overseen by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI). Project Advisory Committee members included staff from the US EPA and AMWA.