PRETORIA - Water scarcity remains a significant concern.

As countries struggle to provide water for their growing urban populations, water reuse is emerging as a viable alternative.

The 14th International Water Association Conference on Reclamation and Reuse is set to take place in Cape Town next month.

It aims to bring together experts to share the latest advancements in the field.

Water reuse according to the is a more advanced treatment process and technologies compared to conventional surface water and groundwater treatment.

The report defined water recycling as municipal wastewater that has been treated to specific water quality criteria so it can be beneficially reused, this is normally a higher quality than the quality of secondary treated effluent.

Water Research Commission said Jay Bhagwan said water reuse has not been in the mix as a solution for years but that needs to change to address water scarcity.

According to Bhagwan water is being reused indirectly in the system.

"At present in South Africa as a whole, we only reuse four to five percent of our water for drinking. And with demand growing issues around the country on water shortage we need to start innovation and solution in the direction where this untapped resource becomes future," he said