Wastewater reclamation and reuse in Beijing: Influence factors and policy implications

Comparative analysis is carried out on fresh water and reclaimed wastewater consumption in Beijing. As well, reclaimed wastewater consumption levels among various sectors are contrasted. Beijing has been integrating reclaimed wastewater as an important water resource since 2003 to solve the persistent problem of water shortage. Currently, reclaimed wastewater is exploited for scenic environment use, agricultural use and industrial use in the place of conventional water resources with higher percentage compared with other uses. Main factors affecting the promotion of wastewater reclamation in Beijing include water price, reclaimed wastewater quality, acceptability and local administrative orders. In order to stimulate the development of wastewater reclamation, local policies should take more rigorous water quality supervision into account, which will in turn improve social acceptability of reclaimed wastewater. Also, provision of reclaimed wastewater with guaranteed quality entails distribution of quality-differentiated reclaimed water to respective water consumers, and the resulted investment can be supported by public finances.

► We find main factors affecting wastewater reclamation and reuse in Beijing.
► Local administrative orders rather than price advantage are the most important factor stimulating wastewater reclamation.
► Rigorous water quality supervision is necessary to improve social acceptability of reclaimed wastewater.
► It is essential to distribute quality-differentiated reclaimed water to respective water consumers.