Addressing the contribution of indirect potable reuse to inland freshwater salinization

Shantanu V. Bhide, Stanley B. Grant (), Emily A. Parker, Megan A. Rippy, Adil N. Godrej, Sujay Kaushal, Greg Prelewicz, Niffy Saji, Shannon Curtis, Peter Vikesland, Ayella Maile-Moskowitz, Marc Edwards, Kathryn G. Lopez, Thomas A. Birkland and Todd Schenk
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Shantanu V. Bhide: Virginia Tech
Stanley B. Grant: Virginia Tech
Emily A. Parker: Virginia Tech
Megan A. Rippy: Virginia Tech
Adil N. Godrej: Virginia Tech
Sujay Kaushal: University of Maryland
Greg Prelewicz: Fairfax Water
Niffy Saji: Fairfax Water
Shannon Curtis: Stormwater Planning Division, Public Works and Environmental Services
Peter Vikesland: Virginia Tech
Ayella Maile-Moskowitz: Virginia Tech
Marc Edwards: Virginia Tech
Kathryn G. Lopez: Virginia Tech
Thomas A. Birkland: North Carolina State University
Todd Schenk: Center for Coastal Studies, Virginia Tech

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 8, 699-707

Abstract: Abstract Inland freshwater salinity is rising worldwide, a phenomenon called the freshwater salinization syndrome (FSS). We investigate a potential conflict between managing the FSS and indirect potable reuse, the practice of augmenting water supplies through the addition of highly treated wastewater (reclaimed water) to surface waters and groundwaters. From time-series data collected over 25 years, we quantify the contributions of three salinity sources—a water reclamation facility and two rapidly urbanizing watersheds—to the rising concentration of sodium (a major ion associated with the FSS) in a regionally important drinking-water reservoir in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Sodium mass loading to the reservoir is primarily from watershed runoff during wet weather and reclaimed water during dry weather. Across all timescales evaluated, sodium concentration in the reclaimed water is higher than in outflow from the two watersheds. Sodium in reclaimed water originates from chemicals added during wastewater treatment, industrial and commercial discharges, human excretion and down-drain disposal of drinking water and sodium-rich household products. Thus, numerous opportunities exist to reduce the contribution of indirect potable reuse to sodium pollution at this site, and the FSS more generally. These efforts will require deliberative engagement with a diverse community of watershed stakeholders and careful consideration of the local political, social and environmental context.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00713-7

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