Compliance Models for Off-Grid Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

May 2020
Citation:
50
ELR 10375
Issue
5
Author
Avital Li and Taylor Lilley

Throughout the world, people struggle to gain access to stable sources of clean water. While there are increasingly innovative solutions being developed, many communities simply do not have access to efficient, centralized wastewater management systems, and as a result, face difficulty finding reliable sources of water for daily use. There is a great need to implement novel systems that can fill the gap, especially for isolated or “off-grid” communities. One particular system that exhibits particular potential in alleviating access challenges is greywater reclamation. After simple filtration, greywater can be safely recycled for reuse in agriculture and irrigation, and is a promising option for water-stressed communities that are not on a centralized water grid. This Comment explores common governance considerations for off-grid, decentralized water systems and examines the roles of key stakeholders; discusses the unique challenges and opportunities for greywater reclamation systems in the West Bank; and outlines important considerations for implementing greywater systems in off-grid communities.

Avital Li is a Research Associate at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and a Program Officer for the INECE Secretariat. Taylor Lilley served as ELI’s 2018-2019 Public Interest Law Fellow, and currently is the Environmental Justice Staff Attorney for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

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