Brazil may advance in an increasingly strategic topic for water resource management: water reuse. The Ministry of Cities is preparing a federal decree that will establish national guidelines for water reuse, creating clearer parameters for the safe use of treated effluents in different activities.

The proposal comes at a time when water security is becoming a growing concern in the country. The increase in water demand, combined with extreme climate events and urban growth, requires solutions that enable better use of available resources. In this scenario, water reuse emerges as an important alternative to reduce pressure on natural water sources and improve the efficiency of sanitation systems.

What the new decree on water reuse proposes

The regulation under discussion aims to establish national guidelines for the use of reclaimed water, mainly from treated effluents originating from wastewater treatment plants.

The main objectives of the decree include:

• defining criteria for the safe use of reused water;
• guiding public policies related to water resource management;
• encouraging investments in sanitation infrastructure;
• promoting sustainable water use practices.

Currently, Brazil has standards and regulations on the subject, but still lacks a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for water reuse. The creation of national guidelines is expected to provide greater legal certainty for projects and investments in the sector.

Water reuse and sustainability

Water reuse consists of the planned use of treated wastewater for specific purposes, reducing the need for potable water abstraction from natural sources.

The most common applications include:

● agricultural irrigation
● industrial processes
● urban services
● environmental and landscaping uses

In addition to contributing to sustainable water resource management, reuse also helps improve the efficiency of water and wastewater treatment systems.

Technology and efficiency in wastewater treatment

To ensure that water reuse is safe and efficient, it is essential to rely on advanced treatment and filtration technologies capable of guaranteeing the quality of reused water.

In this context, modern filtration solutions play a key role in particle removal and in the final polishing of treated effluents.

Hidro Solo, a company specialized in water treatment and irrigation solutions, contributes to this advancement by providing technologies that improve filtration efficiency in sanitation systems.

Among these solutions are Hidro Solo Disc Filters and Disc Filtration Systems, modern equipment that uses filtering discs with high particle retention capacity. These systems are widely applied in industrial processes, irrigation systems, and also in treated effluent filtration, helping to ensure higher quality of reused water.

In addition, Hidro Solo also provides technologies aimed at improving filter performance in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTPs and WWTPs), such as Confined Flow Underdrain Systems with Pluvitec Blocks and Crepines (Underdrains), which enhance hydraulic efficiency and filtration uniformity. In WWTPs, these solutions are widely applied in the final polishing stages of treated effluents, enabling their suitability for reuse.

Toward smarter water management

The creation of national guidelines for water reuse represents an important step toward strengthening water resource management in Brazil. With clear regulations and incentives for technological innovation, it will be possible to expand water reuse projects across different sectors of the economy.

In this context, the combination of regulation, investment in sanitation, and efficient filtration technologies will be essential to ensure greater water security, sustainability, and rational use of water in the country.

Companies that develop solutions for water treatment and monitoring, such as Hidro Solo, directly contribute to this progress by offering equipment that improves treatment system efficiency and enables new pathways for the safe reuse of water.

Sources: Portal Saneamento Básico / Agência Infra