Environments (Apr 2024)

Water Reuse: A Comprehensive Review

  • Fivos Florides,
  • Maria Giannakoudi,
  • Giorgos Ioannou,
  • Despoina Lazaridou,
  • Elissavet Lamprinidou,
  • Nikolaos Loukoutos,
  • Maria Spyridou,
  • Eleftherios Tosounidis,
  • Maria Xanthopoulou,
  • Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11040081
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 4
p. 81

Abstract

Read online

Water scarcity has emerged as a pressing global concern, driven by population growth, urbanization, and climate change. As freshwater resources dwindle, the imperative for water reuse becomes increasingly apparent. Reusing water presents a sustainable solution to mitigate scarcity, offering a way to maximize the efficiency of available resources. This review delves into the multifaceted landscape of water consumption and reuse, aiming to provide a comprehensive analysis and understanding of this critical issue. It explores the diverse implications of unregulated water consumption, spanning from its impacts on household routines to its profound influence on economic activities. Additionally, it scrutinizes the legislative framework surrounding water usage, shedding light on the policies and regulations in place. Furthermore, the review investigates the current status of water reuse practices in Europe, delving into various methods of water recovery. Finally, it examines public perceptions and attitudes toward recycled water, offering insights into the societal outlook on this increasingly vital aspect of water management.

Keywords