As technologies for potable and nonpotable reuse continue to advance, many communities are still unfamiliar with how water reuse works, why it’s safe, and why it matters. That gap between technical reality and public perception is exactly where education becomes critical.
A recent book review published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) takes a fresh look at how those conversations can happen. The review, “Advocating for water reuse 1 letter at a time – while also creating an earworm or 2,” explores Carollo’s illustrated book, The ABCs of Water Reuse, and why its simple, alphabet-based approach resonates far beyond traditional technical audiences.
Why Education Matters for Water Reuse and Water Security
As the review notes, many adults still remember learning complex ideas through simple, repeatable formats, think Schoolhouse Rock or Sesame Street. The premise behind The ABCs of Water Reuse taps into that same idea: people absorb new concepts more effectively when they’re presented clearly.
Carollo applies that concept to one of today’s most urgent challenges: water scarcity. By breaking water reuse down into approachable, alphabet-based explanations, the book aims to demystify a topic that can otherwise feel technical or intimidating, helping readers understand how reuse fits into long-term water resilience.
Explaining Complex Water Reuse Concepts One Letter at a Time
Instead of “A is for apple,” The ABCs of Water Reuse starts with “A is for aquifer.” Each letter spans just two pages, intentionally keeping definitions short, focused, and accessible, even when covering advanced topics like membranes, indirect potable reuse (IPR), or xenobiotics.
The review highlights how this structure allows the book to tackle a wide range of water reuse topics, from technical processes to broader social and economic considerations. Entries address everything from nonpotable reuse applications like irrigation and cooling to workforce development and job creation tied to major water infrastructure investments.
Reinforcing Key Water Reuse Principles Through Repetition
One of the strengths noted in the ASCE review is the book’s intentional repetition. With 26 letters to fill, key ideas naturally reappear, and that repetition reinforces the fundamentals.
Central themes include the role of aquifers and groundwater, the value of nonpotable reuse, and the importance of indirect potable reuse. As the review explains, IPR returns highly treated recycled water to natural systems like aquifers, lakes, or rivers, where it provides environmental benefits and receives additional natural treatment before becoming part of the drinking water supply again.
By revisiting these ideas from multiple angles, the book helps normalize reuse as a practical, well-understood solution rather than a fringe or unfamiliar concept.
Read the full ASCE book review to learn more about how The ABCs of Water Reuse is helping reframe the water reuse conversation one letter at a time.