This contribution deals with description of the current state of wastewater reuse with particular emphasis on health and environmental aspects. The common applications of wastewater reuse in the agricultural, industrial, and urban sectors are presented and discussed. Special attention is given to the challenges that the research community faces today, the important questions that remain unanswered, and the barriers that exist regarding the safety and sustainability of reuse practice. Finally, considerations on the suitability of applied treatments for complete removal of micropollutants as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and/or their genes are detailed. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.