Over thirty blackwater reuse systems produce fit-for-purpose non-potable water in the Northeast, and some have been online for more than 25 years. The high cost of water and wastewater services and the increased need for resiliency against droughts (anticipated to be more severe due to climate change), has increased onsite water reuse in the Northeast. Reuse water in the Northeast is typically used for cooling water, toilet flushing, and/or irrigation. Reuse systems serve the New School University, UConn, and UMass. Water reuse systems can also extract and reuse thermal energy to preheat hot water systems. Thermal energy recovery has been incorporated into a reuse system in Manhattan, yielding operations that are nearly energy neutral.
Bruce Douglas, Natural Systems Utilities