How can reverse osmosis reject water be disposed of?

Disposing of reverse osmosis reject water is a critical aspect of the water treatment process due to its high concentration of contaminants. One practical method for managing this reject water is to discharge it to a wastewater treatment plant. This approach is effective because wastewater treatment facilities are equipped to handle and treat various types of waste, including water with high levels of dissolved solids and other impurities. Once the reject water is sent to the treatment plant, it can undergo further processing to remove contaminants before being released back into the environment or reused, thus adhering to regulatory standards for water quality and minimizing environmental impact.

In contrast, other options such as using the reject water as drinking water would not be feasible due to its high contamination levels. Evaporation ponds can also be used, but they may not be practical in all situations, especially in areas where space is limited or environmental regulations are stringent. Deep well injection is an option but typically requires significant regulatory oversight and may not be suitable for all types of reject water due to the potential for groundwater contamination. Therefore, discharging to a wastewater treatment plant is often the most viable and regulated method for managing reverse osmosis reject water.