Book excerpt: This comprehensive reference provides thorough coverage of water and wastewater reclamation and reuse. It begins with an introductory chapter covering the fundamentals, basic principles, and concepts. Next, drinking water and treated wastewater criteria, guidelines, and standards for the United States, Europe and the World Health Organization (WHO) are presented. Chapter 3 provides the physical, chemical, biological, and bacteriological characteristics, as well as the radioactive and rheological properties, of water and wastewater. The next chapter discusses the health aspects and removal treatment processes of microbial, chemical, and radiological constituents found in reclaimed wastewater. Chapter 5 discusses the various wastewater treatment processes and sludge treatment and disposal. Risk assessment is covered in chapter 6. The next three chapters cover the economics, monitoring (sampling and analysis), and legal aspects of wastewater reclamation and reuse. This practical handbook also presents real-world case studies, as well as sources of information for research, potential sources for research funds, and information on current research projects. Each chapter includes an introduction, end-of-chapter problems, and references, making this comprehensive text/reference useful to both students and professionals.