Relevance of the precautionary principle in water recycling
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Date
2006Author
Schäfer, Andrea
Beder, S
Metadata
Abstract
In an engineering context the precautionary principle is often perceived as an excuse to do nothing or a
substantial barrier to technical progress. The precautionary principle requires that remedial measures be
taken in situations of scientific uncertainty where evidence of harm cannot be proven but potential damage to
human or environmental health is significant.
In this paper the scope of the precautionary principle in water recycling is discussed. It is clear that
uncertainties and risks exist in many areas of water recycling. Those risks are closely linked to the risks of
sewage discharge.
Hence water recycling has two main areas of concern (i) the dilemma that minimising potential
environmental harm by reducing effluent discharge may increase potential harm through reducing the water
flow in receiving waters and (ii) the consequences of using recycled water of varying quality for a number of
applications.
The precautionary principle can be regarded as an opportunity to improve water recycling practice and in
fact increase the scope of ecologically sustainable water recycling. Hence the precautionary principle has an
important role to play as a guide in decision making and in dealing with the vast number of risks and
uncertainties in water recycling.