Review of industrial chemicals impacting potable reuse: Hazards, removal, and recommendations for enhanced source control programs

As potable reuse gains traction as a resilient and sustainable water supply strategy, one challenge is particularly perennial: how to manage the industrial chemicals that enter municipal wastewater systems. These chemicals, originating from sectors like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, can be toxic, difficult to treat, or capable of interfering with advanced water purification technologies.

A recent article in Total Environment Engineering, co-authored by Carollo’s Kyle Thompson, Amos Branch, and Andrew Salveson, dives into this critical issue. Their comprehensive review evaluates 271 industrial chemicals for their potential to pass through or disrupt potable reuse treatment trains, providing a roadmap for utilities and regulators seeking to strengthen source control programs.

How Industrial Chemicals Threaten Potable Reuse

While municipal wastewater treatment plants were originally designed to protect ecosystems and infrastructure, not drinking water, the rise of potable reuse demands a higher level of scrutiny. The article highlights how chemicals such as certain PFAS, solvents, and heavy metals can partially persist through certain treatment trains or interfere with disinfection processes.

The authors emphasize the need for enhanced source control programs (ESCPs) that go beyond existing pretreatment programs, which may not have been established with potable reuse in mind. These programs would help utilities identify and limit the discharge of potentially hazardous industrial chemicals at the source, before they enter the sewershed.

Evaluating Treatment Trains for Chemical Removal

The review assessed common potable reuse treatment trains to identify which contaminants are most likely to slip through. Based on the assessment, high-priority chemicals for monitoring included 1,4-dioxane, certain short-chain PFAS, NDMA, and metals such as cobalt, uranium, and thallium. Very few chemicals showed any meaningful pass-through for trains with reverse osmosis. Nonetheless, there were data gaps that need further research, particularly for low molecular weight organics.

As the authors note, “robust source control requires a substantial scientific and engineering knowledge base.” They compiled their findings into a searchable dataset to support utilities in prioritizing monitoring efforts, selecting appropriate treatment technologies, and closing key knowledge gaps.

Informing the Future of Potable Reuse

This review offers the most comprehensive look to date at industrial chemical risks in potable reuse. It underscores that safe and reliable reuse isn’t just about advanced treatment; it’s also about smarter management at the source.

Read “Review of industrial chemicals impacting potable reuse: Hazards, removal, and recommendations for enhanced source control programs” to explore the authors’ recommendations and learn how enhanced source control can protect the future of potable reuse.