Dr. David Sedlak: Wastewater reuse in U.S. communities

Expert on Camera

Several states and the federal government are taking action to incentivize wastewater re-use—as drought, climate change and increasing demand strain local water supplies. Meanwhile, some U.S. communities have already invested billions of dollars in drinking water reuse infrastructure.

On July 13, 2026, SciLine interviewed: 

Dr. David Sedlak, a professor of environmental engineering and director of the Berkeley Water Center at the University of California, Berkeley. He discussed topics including:

• How climate change is creating a need to recycle wastewater;
• The different types of reuse (e.g., for irrigation, industrial use, or drinking water);
• How wastewater recycling technology works;
• Whether recycled water is safe to drink;
• Why wastewater reuse may not solve water consumption by data centers;
• The U.S. communities that are at the forefront of drinking water reuse; and
• What communities should know when considering a local water reuse project.