Water reuse } an integral part of water resources management : Israel as a case study

Treated wastewater may be considered as a ‘new’ water resource, which can be added to the general water balance of a region. This ‘new’ source can substitute conventional water used for irrigation. Israel is presently reusing more than 65% of the total domestic sewage production of the country, and it is planned to reach more than 90% reuse during the next decade. This paper addresses the introduction of reclaimed wastewater in the water balance of the country, its contribution to the protection of the conventional water resources, the similarities and differences between water and wastewater resources management, and the economic benefits of wastewater reuse. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.