Water Reuse: "Once Is Not Enough" (pdf of MAPC report)

While commonly associated with arid regions, water reuse has a place in all climates. MAPC is continuously working to help communities take a more deliberate and sustainable approach to water resources so they can expand economic development while also maintaining a high quality of life. One important strategy to reduce water demand is the reclamation of treated wastewater for nonpotable uses such as landscaping, industrial processes, and toilet flushing. 

As part of the 495/Water Resources Strategy Project, MAPC collaborated with the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership to study water reuse applications in Massachusetts and to promote water reuse in the region. Our report, titled “Once is Not Enough,” describes different forms of water reuse and highlights case studies demonstrating that water reuse is a practical and beneficial strategy in Massachusetts. Click here to download a copy of “Once is Not Enough,” our guide to water reuse in Massachusetts.

As described in the report's Recommendations section, there is still more work to be done: public education is vital and pilot projects are needed to demonstrate the feasibility of water reuse. Meanwhile, regulators and stakeholders are collaboratively reviewing the Massachusetts Interim Guidelines on Reclaimed Water in order to revise these standards where necessary to enable more appropriate uses of reclaimed water while also protecting human and environmental health.  

For more information on this topic, contact scleaves@mapc.org.