Industrial Use of Stormwater: A Hypothetical-Case Study

As population and industry grow, water demand increases, and water supply becomes more of a problem. While reclamation of municipal wastewater for industry, subpotable domestic usage, and groundwater recharge has been practiced in the United States over the past several decades on a limited basis, similar studies need to be taken for urban storm runoff. Rainfall runoff becomes contaminated as it passes over urban land; billions of gallons of water can be recovered for beneficial uses if urban stormwater is properly controlled and treated. The water quality of the treated storm runoff can meet the required standards for subpotable usage. Accordingly, this will enable stormwater reclamation to become a more significant means of augmenting water supply. This paper discusses current urban stormwater control and treatment technologies leading to the feasibility of reclaiming urban stormwater for various purposes. A hypothetical-case study illustrating the cost-effectiveness of reclaiming urban stormwater for complete industrial supply is presented.