Water Reuse in Tennessee
Water reuse is the use of reclaimed water which is treated effluent from a wastewater treatment system for beneficial purposes. A common source of reclaimed water is treated municipal wastewater effluent, which then undergoes additional “fit-for-purpose” treatment, that is appropriate for the intended beneficial end use. Types of water reuse are defined by their end use and include “non-potable” applications such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and industrial use and “potable” applications for human consumption. Potable reuse involves advanced treatment processes and is typically defined under two main types:
- Indirect potable reuse uses an environmental buffer before the water is treated at a drinking water treatment plant.
- Direct potable reuse involves the treatment and distribution of advanced treated water (with or without retention in an engineered storage buffer) directly into a drinking water treatment plant.
Water reuse is becoming commonly adopted. Communities across the globe, including in the United States, are developing regulations or guidelines for different end uses, including potable, agricultural, landscape irrigation, and onsite non-potable water reuse. Information about reuse projects can be found on the REUSExplorer Tool.
Tennessee has non-potable water reuse regulations (Rule 0400-40-06-.10), which enable applications such as landscape irrigation and toilet flushing but exclude agricultural reuse for foods crops and potable reuse. There are now several entities in the State permitted for non-potable water reuse, including Murfreesboro, Franklin, Pigeon Forge, Spring Hill, Smyrna, and the Water and Wastewater Authority of Wilson County. Some have shown interest in pursuing potable reuse, with pilot projects in the cities of Spring Hill and Franklin.
In the State of Tennessee, a primary driver for water reuse is to limit the amount of nutrients entering streams and rivers. Other tangible benefits of water reuse include:
- Preventing harmful algal blooms and protecting aquatic life by limiting excess nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways.
- Reducing the amount of water that needs to be withdrawn from rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
- Preserving freshwater resources for other important uses, such as drinking water, recreation, and aquatic ecosystems.
- Enhancing drought resilience, especially in areas of Tennessee with limited water resources.
- Improving critical water access to small, rural, and underserved communities.
TDEC is investigating water reuse regulations in other states and how these could potentially be applied in Tennessee. Learn more about Tennessee’s potable reuse program development.
There are several funding opportunities to support water reuse projects. At the federal level, water reuse infrastructure is eligible under multiple loan and grant programs. In Tennessee, the State Revolving Fund Program provides technical assistance and low-interest loans to cities, counties, utility districts, and water authorities across the State for planning, design, and construction of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. In December 2023, Tennessee announced eight grants totaling $19,976,260 for water reuse projects through the State’s American Rescue Plan fund.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resources related to water reuse:
- Basic Information about Water Reuse
- Potable Water Reuse and Drinking Water
- REUSExplorer Tool
- Water Reuse Resource Hub
- Water Reuse Case Studies
- Potable Reuse Compendium
- Maps of States with Water Reuse Regulations or Guidelines
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s potable reuse webpage:
Water reuse project funding opportunities:
WateReuse Association educational materials:
Information about Tennessee potable reuse pilot projects:
- Franklin’s Water Purification Demonstration Facility
- Spring Hill’s Advanced Water Purification Pilot Project
Questions about water reuse in Tennessee may be sent to DWR.Engineering@tn.gov.
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DWR.Engineering@tn.gov |
This Page Last Updated: January 2, 2025 at 8:22 AM