The public water systems (PWSs) across the US utilize either groundwater, surface water, or groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) of surface water resource(s).  Depletion of natural raw water sources and heavy (and/or emerging) pollutant presence in the raw water are causing increase in water-treatment costs at PWSs. PWSs are continuously exploring for fresh and less polluted raw water sources to reduce operating costs and have effective supplies to communities. PWSs are working with communities to safeguard raw water sources, and reviewing highly efficient technologies for treatment and meet the water quality standards. Exploring direct potable reuse processes can help PWSs to develop a treatment train to use treated wastewater as a water source.

This study is focused on reviewing the current water and wastewater treatment systems and, make a determination toward a potential water treatment train for municipal water reuse. To accomplish this, Consumer Confidence Report(s) (CCRs) and Discharge Monitoring Report(s) (DMRs) from fifty (50) state capital cities are reviewed for the years 2016 and 2018, respectively. Advanced water treatment technologies that are being used for brackish, saline, and reuse treatment are reviewed. CCRs are reviewed to verify current drinking water quality output, and the DMRs to provide final effluent quality of the wastewater treatment plant(s). This verification of CCRs and DMRs of a city would help the status of water quality and resource(s) of the city or town, at the municipal water-cycle level. Though there are discrepancies in CCR reporting and limited data availability, authors have tried to make suggestions to develop an effective water treatment train for DPR application(s). Municipal water treatment costs are addressed (as feasible).