10.5 Issues
237
10.5 Issues
Based on these policies and achievements in the recycled water use in China, the
following four issues are critical for improving the recycled water management.
10.5.1 Nature of the Recycled Water Use
The nature of the recycled use is to make the decision on whether the recycled water
is a service or a resource and to clarify the boundary between resources and services.
In some aspects, it is not a critical issue, because whatever it is, its use is promoted
anyway, but to some degree, it is the most important issue because it will decide how
the recycled water use will be managed in China, which will significantly influence
the development of the recycled use sector.
In the broad sense, it is better to clarify the resources aspect of the recycled water
use, which is similar to management of the recycled water in Southern California
where water rights are entitled. The recycled water is a resource because it will
replace the freshwater resources. The resources aspect will be helpful to integrate
and allocate the recycled water with other water resources, such as surface water and
groundwater and realize the benefit from the integrated water resources management
and allocation. Of course, under the resources content, the application of the current
water resources management on the recycled water use is under exploration, such
as total water use volume control, planned water use system, and water resources
fee/tax. Therefore, the definition of resources for the recycled water will promote the
recycled water use at the macro-level.
The service definition will promote the development of the recycled water use
sector. Different from the traditional water sources, such as surface water and groundwater, the recycled water comes from the wastewater treatment and normally supplies
the users in a pipeline network. Therefore, it is reasonable to define the recycled water
use as a service. At the same time, in a service context, it is convenient for the construction department to plan, construct, and guide the operation of the recycled water use
facility and network, which is not so different from the wastewater treatment. At
the same time, the current urban water management system could be extended too.
Therefore, the service definition for the recycled water will promote the construction
and operation of the recycled water network and facility at micro-aspect.
10.5.2 Safety
China has paid significant attention to safety issues in the recycled water use management. Safety management is required in the processes of the recycled water use. At
237
10.5 Issues
Based on these policies and achievements in the recycled water use in China, the
following four issues are critical for improving the recycled water management.
10.5.1 Nature of the Recycled Water Use
The nature of the recycled use is to make the decision on whether the recycled water
is a service or a resource and to clarify the boundary between resources and services.
In some aspects, it is not a critical issue, because whatever it is, its use is promoted
anyway, but to some degree, it is the most important issue because it will decide how
the recycled water use will be managed in China, which will significantly influence
the development of the recycled use sector.
In the broad sense, it is better to clarify the resources aspect of the recycled water
use, which is similar to management of the recycled water in Southern California
where water rights are entitled. The recycled water is a resource because it will
replace the freshwater resources. The resources aspect will be helpful to integrate
and allocate the recycled water with other water resources, such as surface water and
groundwater and realize the benefit from the integrated water resources management
and allocation. Of course, under the resources content, the application of the current
water resources management on the recycled water use is under exploration, such
as total water use volume control, planned water use system, and water resources
fee/tax. Therefore, the definition of resources for the recycled water will promote the
recycled water use at the macro-level.
The service definition will promote the development of the recycled water use
sector. Different from the traditional water sources, such as surface water and groundwater, the recycled water comes from the wastewater treatment and normally supplies
the users in a pipeline network. Therefore, it is reasonable to define the recycled water
use as a service. At the same time, in a service context, it is convenient for the construction department to plan, construct, and guide the operation of the recycled water use
facility and network, which is not so different from the wastewater treatment. At
the same time, the current urban water management system could be extended too.
Therefore, the service definition for the recycled water will promote the construction
and operation of the recycled water network and facility at micro-aspect.
10.5.2 Safety
China has paid significant attention to safety issues in the recycled water use management. Safety management is required in the processes of the recycled water use. At