A comparative study of RO membrane scale inhibitors in wastewater reclamation: Antiscalants versus pH adjustment

•The separation of secondary wastewater effluent causes calcium carbonate scaling.•Calcium scaling is effectively inhibited by phosphonate-based antiscalant.•The addition of acid results in leaching of iron and copper through corrosion of piping.•The phosphonate-based antiscalant is recommended as a pretreatment for water reuse.