What is the difference between a wastewater treatment plant and a water reclamation facility? Aren they the same?
Yes and No. Both facilities receive and treat the influent to acceptable levels for discharge, which is their similarity. Many wastewater treatment plants discharge to a river or stream. However, a water reclamation facility’s effluent may be utilized for some other purpose or function, such as irrigation, grey water use, groundwater recharge, wetlands hydration, or some other use that recognizes the value of the water discharged. Depending upon the planned use, the effluent may be required to be treated to a higher water quality than what would be required for discharge to a receiving water body.
