Brazil's water agency approves standard for non-potable reuse of sewage effluent

Brazil's National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA) approved a reference standard setting guidelines for non-potable reuse of water from public sewage service effluents, in Resolution No. 309 of Nov. 5, 2026, which takes effect on Jan. 4, 2027.

The standard also sets minimum criteria for selecting the municipalities for which technical and economic feasibility studies will be prepared, according to the resolution, published in the Diário Oficial da União on Nov. 6.

Under the standard, municipalities in river basins where water resources plans or classification programs provide for non-potable reuse actions must be included in the selection. Other municipalities may be added if they meet at least one additional criterion, such as recurring or seasonal water scarcity.

Sewage service providers in the selected municipalities must prepare feasibility studies for non-potable reuse projects, using an analysis horizon of at least 10 years, the standard says. The selection of municipalities and the update of the studies must take place every 10 years.

Contracts for the supply of sewage effluent and reuse water must include, at a minimum, quality criteria, minimum contracted flows, penalties and a risk matrix, according to the standard.

The standard does not apply to potable reuse, rainwater harvesting or internal reuse of greywater. For sewage contracts already in force, rules that differ from the standard do not constitute noncompliance with it for purposes of Article 50 of Law No. 11,445 of Jan. 5, 2007, the standard says.

Verification of compliance with the standard begins on May 20, 2029. Subnational regulators that already have rules on non-potable reuse must revise them by that date.

ANA's collegiate board approved the standard at a meeting on Nov. 3, 2026, after Public Consultation No. 11/2025 and Public Hearing No. 002/2026, under Process No. 02501.003545/2024-38.