Water Stewardship: Understanding the Importance of Keeping Water in the Cycle

Fishing for trout in cold streams fed by melting snowpack was one of the activities I enjoyed growing up in the western United States. During my time as a child "hoot-owl" restrictions, or prohibiting activity during the hottest period of the day, only applied to logging activities. In 2024, for the first time ever, hoot-owl fishing restrictions were put in place on one of the river drainages I frequently fished as a child.

Water scarcity and drought are becoming more prevalent around the world, affecting not just cold mountain streams but also urban areas, farms, and industries. As water users, we must all recognize the importance of managing our water resources responsibly and commit to sustainable practices.

The Sources of Freshwater

Where does potable (drinkable) water come from? In the U.S., about 70% of freshwater comes from surface-water sources—rivers, lakes, and streams—while the remaining 30% comes from groundwater, accessed through wells and springs. The water from these sources is treated at a water treatment plant to make it safe for drinking.

The Journey of Water

Once we use water, it doesn’t just disappear. Remember the water cycle from elementary school? Water moves through the environment in a continuous loop. When we use water in homes and businesses, it goes down the drain and enters the sanitary sewer system. From there, it is sent to a wastewater treatment plant where it’s cleaned and then returned to the environment. Typically, this treated water is discharged back into the same rivers, lakes, or streams it originally came from, or it can even be absorbed back into the groundwater.

In many places, like along the Mississippi River, water is continuously recycled in this way. For example, communities along the Mississippi take water from the river, treat it for drinking, send it through homes and businesses, and then return treated wastewater back to the river. Over 50 cities in the upper Mississippi Basin depend on this process for their water supply.

The Impact of Removing Water from the Cycle

What happens if somewhere along this journey the wastewater isn't discharged into the river? This has a significant impact on the ecosystems downstream, as the water that was once available for those communities, animals, and plants is no longer part of the system.

Wastewater Reuse: A Question to Consider

This brings me to the issue of wastewater reuse or reclaimed wastewater. As this concept is being presented as a solution to water scarcity, it’s important to ask: Will this practice remove water from the cycle?

If wastewater is reclaimed and used in areas where it is discharged into the ocean or an area with no direct downstream impact, it may not be an issue. However, if reclaimed water is no longer returned to a river, stream, or lake that is part of a larger water system due to reuse, it could have unintended consequences for those downstream.

Conclusion

The key question we must all ask when considering solutions like wastewater reuse is whether we are removing water from the cycle. By being thoughtful about how we manage our water, we can ensure that we don’t inadvertently reduce the availability of water for others downstream.

Next time you hear about reclaimed wastewater as a solution, consider: Is this keeping water in the cycle, or removing it from the system entirely?

References:

1. Current Waterbody Restrictions | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks . (n.d.). https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures
2. Surface water use in the United States | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) . (n.d.). https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/surface-water-use-united-states
3. The Water Cycle | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory . (n.d.). https://airs.jpl.nasa.gov/resources/151/the-water-cycle/
4. Mississippi River Facts | National Park Service . (n.d.). https://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm