YASSER NAGI, Group Director Middle East and North Africa, and Managing Director, UAE of Wilo*, says that embracing advanced technologies holds the key to transform wasterwater into a resource.

01 August 2023

The world is facing a growing crisis of wastewater. With the rising population, urbanisation, and industrial activities, the amount of wastewater generated is increasing at an alarming rate. This wastewater poses a serious threat to the environment including water bodies and the ecosystem, public health, and the availability of safe water.

However, there is a silver lining. Advanced wastewater technologies offer a promising solution to this problem. These technologies can transform wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource. By harnessing the potential of science and technology, we can turn a pressing challenge into an opportunity for resource conservation. By embracing these innovative technologies, we can choose sustainable solutions to efficiently manage wastewater.

These advanced technologies are anticipated to support global efforts in ensuring a sustainable future by fostering water security, mitigating pollution, and promoting resource efficiency.

One of the most promising aspects of advanced wastewater technologies is their ability to generate renewable energy. At the core of these sustainable wastewater management procedures is the water-energy nexus, which can be defined as the interdependencies and synergies between water and energy systems.

Traditional wastewater treatment plants consume vast amounts of energy, leading to significant carbon emissions and resource depletion. However, cutting-edge technologies such as anaerobic digestion and microbial fuel cells can generate renewable energy from wastewater, while simultaneously treating it. This is a win-win solution that can help us address the global energy and water crisis.

In addition to generating renewable energy, advanced wastewater technologies can also be used to reclaim water and recover resources. Traditional wastewater treatment processes often lack the capacity to maximise the value of this resource. However, advanced procedures such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection can make wastewater suitable for various non-potable uses. Additionally, wastewater contains valuable nutrients and organic matter, which can be leveraged for nutrient recovery and biogas production. These resources can be extracted and converted into fertilisers, bioplastics, and other valuable products.

Wasteful and linear wastewater treatment models can be transformed into a more sustainable and circular approach by prioritising water reclamation and resource recovery.

Furthermore, decentralised wastewater treatment systems play a substantial role in ensuring local water security and reducing our vulnerability to water scarcity or other climatic issues. Through the implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technologies, we can enable the removal of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics, from wastewater, mitigating potential ecological and human health risks.

In addition to their environmental benefits, advanced wastewater technologies also offer economic opportunities and job creation. The adoption of these technologies requires qualified professionals, engineers, and technicians, which can boost job creation in the green technology industry. Resource recovery initiatives also generate economic opportunities by opening trading options for biogas, biosolids, and reclaimed water.

 It is clear that advanced wastewater technologies have the potential to make a significant contribution to a sustainable future. However, in order to realise this potential, it is essential for policymakers, business executives, and local governments to invest in these technologies and invest in legislation, regulations and education to promote the transition towards responsible wastewater management practices. We must also change our perception of wastewater from a pollutant to a resource. By taking these steps, we can ensure that wastewater is managed in a way that benefits both the environment and the economy.

 

Conclusion

Efficient wastewater management is critical to ensuring a sustainable future. Advanced wastewater technologies offer a promising solution to this problem, as they can transform wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource. These technologies can generate renewable energy, reclaim water, and recover resources. They also offer economic opportunities by creating jobs and generating revenue.

 

* Wilo is a multinational technology group and one of the world’s leading premium suppliers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and the industrial sector.

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