Circular economy practices are gaining traction across industries as more sustainability-minded companies aim to reduce waste, recover value, and conserve resources. In the water sector, a circular economy view recognises wastewater as a valuable resource. Rather than a burden, it holds the potential to recover clean water, energy, and other materials for beneficial use.
Water reuse plays an important role in sustainable water management. Treating wastewater for reuse reduces freshwater demand and provides a reliable, onsite supply that acts as a buffer against water-related disruptions. For organisations, water reuse is a practical example of water stewardship that supports broader sustainability goals.
Water reuse has a well-established track record of success. The technologies are mature and proven. As these technologies continue to evolve, the potential for water reuse has never been more promising — it offers a viable strategy in the face of a changing climate and mounting water scarcity. The following examples illustrate the diverse opportunities to implement reuse projects and address challenges across very different environments.
Water reuse technologies are mature and proven, offering a viable strategy in the face of a changing climate and mounting water scarcity
In Western Canada, a major potato processing facility is undertaking a $450 million expansion to double its production capacity. From the outset, the company aimed to make sustainability a defining element of the project. A key component of that commitment is a wastewater reuse plant that will treat process wastewater to produce high-quality effluent for reuse.
Newterra was engaged to design and supply a robust, scalable system capable of handling high organic loading wastewater and enabling reuse across the facility. Designed to treat up to 1.58 million gallons per day, the multi-stage solution features a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to remove high-strength organics and solids. It also includes granular activated carbon to eliminate residual organics, followed by high-recovery reverse osmosis (RO) to remove salts and trace constituents—allowing over 97.5% of processed wastewater to be recovered and reused.
Newterra is also delivering a second reuse system: A modular, skid-based unit will treat a blend of municipal and reclaimed process water using filtration, softening, and RO to produce high-purity water for boiler makeup. The reuse systems integrate multiple technologies into a site design with numerous interconnected water streams. Together, the solutions reduce freshwater withdrawals, minimise waste, and optimise water use efficiency, supporting long-term sustainable operations.
Like many arid regions, communities in Texas face ongoing challenges in securing reliable water supplies for the future. Water reuse is a critical strategy for maximising the utility of available resources and preserving limited reserves.
In Travis County, Newterra is partnering with JA Wastewater to deliver a custom MBR system for a lifestyle residential community. Designed to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards, the system will produce high-quality effluent suitable for Type I reuse—including irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing, and other non-potable applications. At full build-out, the system will have a treatment capacity of 120,000 gallons per day.
The project enhances regional drought resilience while minimising the environmental impact of wastewater disposal by reducing sludge generation. And by producing high-quality effluent, it helps protect local water bodies and ecosystems. As a modular solution, the system offers the added advantage of decentralised treatment—addressing wastewater close to the point of generation, avoiding costly infrastructure expansions, and alleviating pressure on overburdened centralised systems.
Taken together, these projects speak to the value of reliable technologies to address unique demands through reuse — regardless of scale or location.