IDRA Releases Global Fact Sheet On Direct Potable Reuse, Calling DPR A Strategic Imperative For Water Security

New publication maps DPR progress across seven regions and more than 30 countries, positioning potable reuse as essential to the global circular water economy

The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) today released “A Pathway to Potable Reuse: A Global Status Update and Strategic Outlook,” a comprehensive fact sheet examining the current state and trajectory of Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) worldwide. The publication was announced by IDRA Secretary General Shannon McCarthy following her presentation at the Water Reuse Association (WRA) conference.

The fact sheet, developed in collaboration with Stantec, provides a region-by-region assessment of DPR adoption across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania. It documents the economic, social, and environmental case for potable reuse and identifies the principal drivers and barriers shaping implementation globally.

DPR, the advanced treatment of municipal wastewater for direct integration into drinking water systems, is emerging as a critical strategy for enhancing urban water security. The global water reuse market was valued at USD 17.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 30.6 billion by 2030. More than 30 countries are now actively planning or piloting DPR systems, with operational facilities in Namibia, the United States, and Singapore leading the way.

“DPR has reached a pivotal moment,” said Jon Freedman, IDRA President. “Once a niche technology, it now stands at the center of global water security innovation and climate resilience. The question is no longer whether DPR works, but how rapidly and equitably it can be adopted.”

Key findings of the publication include:

• The United States leads globally in DPR development, with operational facilities in Texas, advancing projects in California and Florida, and newly finalized regulations in Colorado and Arizona.
• Europe is increasingly motivated to expand DPR as part of its climate resilience strategy, with the EU Regulation 2020/741 providing a foundation for potable applications.
• Asia is home to nearly 2.8 billion urban residents in 2025, with China committing to tertiary treatment of 44,000 MLD of wastewater and Singapore continuing to lead through its NEWater program.
• Urbanization will drive over 2.5 billion additional people into major urban areas in the next 25 years, making decentralized DPR an essential component of future water supply portfolios.
• Namibia’s Windhoek system remains the world’s longest-operating DPR facility, while South Africa is rapidly advancing infrastructure in Cape Town.

“The deployment of technology solutions that will be available to us for direct potable treatment will be critical to meet the water infrastructure demands of urbanization growth of nearly 3 billion people in global mega-cities over the next 25 years, ” said John Hanula, Senior VP, Growth and Innovation, Stantec, and IDRA Board Officer.

The publication also outlines IDRA’s formal position on DPR, supporting its adoption where public health protection is ensured through risk-based frameworks, technological performance is validated through multi-barrier systems, transparent regulation is in place, and community engagement is central to implementation strategies.

The publication is available for download here. IDRA encourages governments, utilities, development agencies, and industries to use the fact sheet as a resource for integrating DPR into long-term water security and climate adaptation strategies.

About International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA)
IDRA is a global organization that has connected the international desalination and water reuse community since 1973. With members in over 60 countries, IDRA serves as a neutral, international platform for professionals across science, engineering, policy, government, industry, and academia.

IDRA is a U.S.-based (Delaware) non-profit 501(c)(6) organization and a recognized non-governmental organization with consultative status under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). As a member of the UN-Water family, IDRA actively contributes to global dialogue and action on water security, sustainability, and climate resilience.

IDRA is a proud partner of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its WASAG Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture initiative and also holds official observer status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), granted in November 2024.

We are deeply committed to advancing the United Nations Water Action Agenda by fostering the development of technical solutions through research, innovation, capacity building, and the pioneering of regulatory frameworks. IDRA promotes sustainable project models and advocates for the seamless integration of desalination and water reuse into existing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) systems, supporting a more water-resilient and sustainable future.

As a UN-recognized NGO, our commitment is to share knowledge of technical solutions that address the ever-growing demand for clean water for all.