Water recycling & reuse

total volume of water recycled or re-used annually by each sector (domestic, commercial, industrial, rural) in relation to the total annual water use of each sector

Indicator description

Recycled water can be used for a variety of purposes, including: sewage re-cycling (following treatment) for purposes such as irrigation of parks and golf-courses. Greywater, the water used in showers, baths, laundries and kitchens can be used to water domestic gardens.

Re-using and recycling water is a response to the cost and potential scarcity of water supplies, caused by increasing total water consumption. Increasing the volume of water recycled and re-used reduces the amount of new water required from streams for water supply purposes. Alternatively, if populations continue to increase, re-use and recycling postpones the need for new water resource developments such as dams.

Water re-use and recycling is also a means of reducing the amount of nutrients and other pollutants that could otherwise enter streams and estuaries.