Water as a finite resource: From historical accomplishments to emerging challenges and artificial recharge

Abstract

This chapter resumes the discussion of relevant historical advances in water treatment, sanitation, and reuse, and it highlights the current challenges. The recycle and reuse of water has become essential for water-resource management because of increasing population and living standards. The most concerning contaminants in wastewater, with potential adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems, are emerging organic contaminants and pathogens. There is no water treatment to remove the broad range of different molecules and pathogens without generating potentially hazardous or toxic disinfection byproducts. This chapter summarizes the available technologies for water treatment and production and points out the relevance of the artificial recharge of aquifer as a robust, low-cost, low-consuming technology.