Saturday, October 25, 2025
A new international white paper released Tuesday, October 14 by the WateReuse Association and the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) calls for stronger global collaboration to accelerate water reuse as a key solution to growing water scarcity and climate challenges.
Titled Initiating a Global Dialogue on Water Reuse: Sharing Perspectives from Around the World to Advance Water Reuse, the report draws on insights from more than 70 water reuse experts across 18 countries. It identifies governance, technology, financing and communication as the four pillars essential to expanding water reuse efforts worldwide.
“The most innovative utilities in the U.S. established the WateReuse Association more than 30 years ago to share best practices for ensuring a sustainable future. In partnership with IDRA, we are pleased to expand these conversations across the world,” said WateReuse President Bart Weiss.
Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association, added that the Global Dialogue initiative “has been a foundational step in creating a forum for water professionals and other stakeholders from across the world.”
The report highlights community engagement and financing for innovative treatment technologies as critical opportunity areas. Among its recommendations:
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Developing a globally recognized, risk-based framework for pathogen reduction.
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Investing in low-cost, nature-based treatment technologies such as algae-based wastewater systems.
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Forming partnerships—rather than debt-based arrangements—between wealthy and less-advantaged nations to support technology transfer.
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Engaging public health leaders and community organizations as advocates for water reuse.
IDRA President Jon Freedman and Secretary General Shannon McCarthy emphasized the urgency of coordinated global action.
“At IDRA, we believe that advancing water reuse is imperative for climate resilience and water security,” McCarthy said.
“The Global Dialogue on Water Reuse represents a meaningful step forward in bringing together diverse voices and perspectives from across regions and disciplines to accelerate collective action,” added Freedman.
The findings are based on international roundtable workshops held at the WateReuse Association’s Annual Symposium in Denver, Colorado (March 2024) and the IDRA World Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE (December 2024). The Global Dialogue on Water Reuse also forms part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Reuse Action Plan.
The white paper will be formally presented on October 14 at IDRA’s Reykjavik Summit on Water and Climate Change.
