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Functional materials enriched with amorphous iron are commonly used for environmental remediation. However, their performance is often susceptible to aging and reductive dissolution effects. Amorphous iron in drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) primarily exists in organic matter-bound forms, possessing a stable phosphorus adsorption capability. In this study, in-depth investigations were conducted to evaluate the effect of organic matter extracted from DWTRs on amorphous iron stability in iron hydroxides by using incubation tests for 180 days. The results showed that organic matter from different DWTRs exhibited similar FTIR and XPS patterns; whereas, the solid-state carbon-13 NMR analysis and the carbon/nitrogen atom ratios indicated variations in structures and origins. Notably, organic matter addition increased the 0.01 and 0.005 M-oxalic acid-ammonium oxalate extractable iron, especially the later one which was greater than the control by approximately 24 times, inhibiting iron aging in iron hydroxides. The addition also promoted the transformation of iron from acid-soluble and reducible to oxidizable and non-European Community Bureau of Reference method-extractable forms, reducing the iron release potential. This effect was intensified when organic matter contained relatively low levels of carboxylic carbon and nitrogen/oxygen-alkyl carbon while high levels of carbon=oxygen/ketone carbon. The inhibited iron aging further led to stronger phosphorus adsorption capabilities of iron hydroxides, and the reduced iron release potential caused the adsorbed phosphorus to exist in more stable forms. Therefore, organic matter from DWTRs stabilized amorphous iron to maintain phosphorus adsorption capabilities of iron hydroxides. These mechanisms show potential for application in the development of iron-based materials. • Organic matter varies in different drinking water treatment residuals. • Fe aging is inhibited by organic matter in Fe hydroxides after 180 d -incubation. • Organic matter promotes amorphous Fe transformation to less labile forms. • Organic matter maintains the P adsorption capability of Fe hydroxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed a scheme for drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) pretreatment to eliminate concerns about potential unfavorable effects caused by excessive release of nutrients (typically N) during recycling in restoration of a water environment with relatively low pollution (e.g., eutrophic surface water). Inspired by soil washing, the pretreatment scheme was based on washing processes; correspondingly, the N desorption characteristics, possibility of recycling solutions for subsequent desorption, and variations in DWTR adsorption capabilities were investigated. The results showed that N, mainly as ammonia N (NH 4 +-N), was quickly desorbed from DWTR; the concentrations of desorbed NH 4 +-N were an order of magnitude higher than those of nitrate N (NO 3 −-N). After six rounds of desorption, most ion-exchangeable NH 4 +-N was desorbed, and NH 4 +-N released from the DWTR (after the desorption test) declined markedly from 11.1 to <0.70 mg L−1 in initial column tests for surface water treatment. The same desorption characteristics of NH 4 +-N were observed for six DWTR collected from Australia, Ireland, and China, respectively; after N desorption, the adsorption capability of the six DWTR changed negligibly. Furthermore, electrochemical treatment was found to be effective in removing desorbed NH 4 +-N in solutions from DWTR; the treated solutions can be recycled for subsequent desorption without weakening NH 4 +-N desorption efficiencies, although NH 4 +-N removal efficiencies by electrochemical treatment tended to decline as the recycling of solutions increased to five rounds. Overall, the pretreatment scheme is scientifically feasible and can be applied and optimized based on remediation requirements in practical scenarios. • The ion-exchangeable N, mainly as NH 4 +-N, was quickly desorbed from DWTR. • Similar N desorption were observed for DWTR collected from different countries. • After N desorption, the adsorption capability of DWTR changed little. • The washing pretreatment is feasible for DWTR reuse in surface water restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial recycle of drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) in environmental remediation has been demonstrated in many reports. However, the lack of information concerning the potential toxicity of dewatered DWTR hinders its widespread use. The present study examined the ecotoxicity of dewatered aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) DWTR leachates to a green alga,Chlorella vulgaris. Data from the variations of cell density and chlorophyll a content suggested that algal growth in DWTR leachates was inhibited. The algal cellular oxidation stress was initially induced but completely eliminated within 72 h by antioxidant enzymes. The expression of three photosynthesis-related algae genes (psaB,psbC, andrbcL) also temporarily decreased (within 72 h). Moreover, the algal cells showed intact cytomembranes after exposure to DWTR leachates. Further investigation confirmed that inhibition of algal growth was due to DWTR-induced phosphorus (P) deficiency in growth medium, rather than potentially toxic contaminants (e.g. copper and Al) contained in DWTR. Interestingly, the leachates could potentially promote algal growth via increasing the supply of new components (e.g. calcium, kalium, magnesium, and ammonia nitrogen) from DWTR. In summary, based on the algae toxicity test, the dewatered Fe/Al DWTR was nontoxic and its environment recycling does not represent an ecotoxicological risk to algae. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) seems to be very promising for controlling lake sediment pollution. Logically, acquisition of the potential toxicity of DWTR will be beneficial for its applications. In this study, the toxicity of DWTR and sediments amended with DWTR to Aliivibrio fischeri was evaluated based on the Microtox ® solid and leachate phase assays, in combination with flow cytometry analyses and the kinetic luminescent bacteria test. The results showed that both solid particles and aqueous/organic extracts of DWTR exhibited no toxicity to the bacterial luminescence and growth. The solid particles of DWTR even promoted bacterial luminescence, possibly because DWTR particles could act as a microbial carrier and provide nutrients for bacteria growth. Bacterial toxicity (either luminescence or growth) was observed from the solid phase and aqueous/organic extracts of sediments with or without DWTR addition. Further analysis showed that the solid phase toxicity was determined to be related mainly to the fixation of bacteria to fine particles and/or organic matter, and all of the observed inhibition resulting from aqueous/organic extracts was identified as non-significant. Moreover, DWTR addition not only had no adverse effect on the aqueous/organic extract toxicity of the sediment but also reduced the solid phase toxicity of the sediment. Overall, in practical application, the solid particles, the water-soluble substances transferred to surface water or the organic substances in DWTR had no toxicity or any delayed effect on bacteria in lakes, and DWTR can therefore be considered as a non-hazardous material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) have a potential to realize eutrophication control objectives by reducing the internal phosphorus (P) load of lake sediments. Information regarding the ecological risk of dewatered WTR reuse in aquatic environments is generally lacking, however. In this study, we analyzed the eco-toxicity of leachates from sediments with or without dewatered WTRs toward algae Chlorella vulgaris via algal growth inhibition testing with algal cell density, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde content, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity, and subcellular structure indices. The results suggested that leachates from sediments unanimously inhibited algal growth, with or without the addition of different WTR doses (10% or 50% of the sediment in dry weight) at different pH values (8–9), as well as from sediments treated for different durations (10 or 180 days). The inhibition was primarily the result of P deficiency in the leachates owing to WTR P adsorption, however, our results suggest that the dewatered WTRs were considered as a favorable potential material for internal P loading control in lake restoration projects, as it shows acceptably low risk toward aquatic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the labilities of Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn in air-dried (for 60 days) and fresh dewatered WTRs were compared using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), fractionation,in vitrodigestion and a plant enrichment test. The results showed that the air-dried and fresh dewatered WTRs had different properties, e.g., organic matter composition and available nutrients. The air-dried and fresh dewatered WTRs were non-haf zardous according to the TCLP assessment method used in the United States; however, the metals in the two types of WTRs had different lability. Compared with the metals in the fresh dewatered WTRs, those in the air-dried WTRs tended to be in more stable fractions and also exhibited lower bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Therefore, air-drying can decrease the metal lability and thereby reduce the potential metal pollution risk of WTRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) as environment amendments has attracted substantial interest due to their productive reuse concomitant with waste minimization. In the present study, the extractability of metals within six Al/Fe-hydroxide-comprised WTRs collected throughout China was investigated using fractionation, in vitro digestion and the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). The results suggested that the major components and structure of the WTRs investigated were similar. The WTRs were enriched in Al, Fe, Ca, and Mg, also contained varying quantities of As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn, but Ag, Hg, Sb, and Se were not detected. Most of the metals within the WTRs were largely non-extractable using the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) procedure, but many metals exhibited high bioaccessibility based on in vitro digestion. However, the WTRs could be classified as non-hazardous according to the TCLP assessment method used by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Further analysis showed the communication factor, which is calculated as the ratio of total extractable metal by BCR procedure to the total metal, for most metals in the six WTRs, was similar, whereas the factor for Ba, Mn, Sr, and Zn varied substantially. Moreover, metals in the WTRs investigated had different risk assessment code. In summary, recycling of WTRs is subject to regulation based on assessment of risk due to metals prior to practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposed a new approach of reusing drinking water treatment residuals (WTR) in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to remove phosphate (P) from urban wastewater. The results revealed that the P removal efficiency of the WTR was more than 94% for urban wastewater, in the condition of initial P concentration (P0) of 10 mg L−1, hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 h and WTR dosage (M0) of 10 g L−1. The P mass transfer from the bulk to the solid–liquid interface in the CSTR system increased at lowerP0, higherM0and longer HRT. The P adsorption capacity of WTR from urban wastewater was comparable to that of the 201×4 resin and unaffected by ions competition. Moreover, WTR had a limited effect on the metals’ (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ni) concentrations of the urban wastewater. Based on the principle of waste recycling, the reuse of WTR in CSTR is a promising alternative technology for P removal from urban wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As an inevitable by-product of potable water production, drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) recycling to make ceramsite can provide both environmental and economic benefits in constructing filtration treatment system for water environment remediation. Given the varied properties of DWTR from different waterworks, this study aims to identify the key factors affecting ceramsite production from DWTR as main ingredient based on five different DWTR with using clay as the auxiliary material. The results showed that of sintering temperature (500–1000 °C), DWTR:clay ratio (5:5 to 9:1), sintering time (5–60 min), and granule diameter (5–15 mm), the sintering temperature was the key parameter. Increasing temperatures from 500 to 1000 °C gradually promoted DWTR sintering by enhancing Si and Al crystallization, which typically increased the formation of SiO 2 and CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 crystals in ceramsite. Ceramsites made from different DWTR tended to have different properties, mainly resulting from varied contents of Si (20.2%–48.6%), K (0.0894%–2.39%), Fe (4.56%–14.3%), and loss on ignition (11.7%–39.5%). During ingredients preparation to produce up-to-standard ceramsite, supplying additional Si and diluting loss on ignition were necessary for all DWTR, while supplying K and diluting Fe may be required for specific DWTR, due to the potential varied DWTR compositions caused by different water production processes applied (e.g., type of flocculants). Further toxicity characteristic leaching procedure analysis indicated the increased leaching of Cu. However, DWTR based ceramsite was identified as non-hazardous material; even, sintering treatment reduced the leachability of Ba, Be, Cd, and Cr. DWTR based ceramsite also had relatively high specific surface area (22.1–50.5 m2/g) and could adsorb Cd, Cu, and Pb from solution. Overall, based on appropriate management, DWTR can be recycled as the main ingredient in the production of ceramsite for water environment remediation. [Display omitted] • Factors affecting ceramsite made from water treatment residue (DWTR) were studied. • Higher sintering temperature promoted SiO 2 /CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 producing to make ceramiste. • Varied Si, K, Fe, and loss on ignition (LOI) of DWTR regulated ceramsite property. • Supplying Si and diluting LOI to DWTR was necessary for ingredients preparation. • DWTR based ceramiste was non-hazardous and feasible to adsorb Cd, Cu, and Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The dosage of WTRs required to immobilize mobile P in sediments was investigated. [•] The P immobilization capacity of WTRs can be expressed as an equation. [•] Most of mobile P in sediments can be immobilized by WTRs at determined dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The reuse of drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) to immobilize phosphorus (P) in sediments is a novel application for lake restoration. The recycling of WTRs is beneficial from both environmental and economic standpoints. This work assessed the stability of P in sediments found in Lake Taihu and Lake Baiyangdian before and after being amended with WTRs. The results indicated that WTRs had similar effects on the stability of P in each of the lake's sediments. WTRs can significantly reduce the P desorption potential of the sediments at pH values less than 11. WTRs can also inhibit the competitive adsorption of SiO4 2− with P. Compared with the raw sediments, the organic matter in the sediments, ion strength and anaerobic conditions presented minor undesirable effects on the stability of P in the WTRs-amended sediments. Moreover, WTRs can increase the P adsorption rate and capacity of the sediments. Overall, these results demonstrated that WTRs can make P more stable in lake sediments under various conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, the remediation of soils contaminated with multiple metals using ferric and alum water treatment residuals (FARs) in Baiyin, China, was investigated. The results of metals fractionation indicated that after the soil was treated with FARs, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) could be transformed into more stable forms, i.e., As bound in crystalline Fe/Al oxides and other metals in the oxidable and residual forms. However, the forms of chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) were unaffected. Interestingly, due to the effect of FARs, barium (Ba) was predominantly transformed into more mobile forms. The bioaccessibility extraction test demonstrated that the FARs reduced the bioaccessibility of As by 25%, followed by Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni and Pb. The bioaccessibility of Cd and Ba were increased; in particular, there was an increase of 41% for Ba at the end of the test. In conclusion, the FARs can be used to remedy soil contaminated with multiple metals, but comprehensive studies are needed before practical applications of this work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work investigated the potential for reusing water treatment residuals (WTRs) to immobilize phosphorus (P) in the sediments of Lake Taihu and Lake Baiyangdian. The results indicated that WTRs made inorganic P more stable in the sediments, although the sediments from each lake had dissimilar properties. Conversely, WTRs had no effect on the activity of organic P. However, after the sediment was mixed with WTRs, the inorganic P was immobilized in 10days. Microbiological analyses further revealed that WTRs could alter the structures of the microbial community within the sediments but exert no adverse effect on the bacterial diversity. Moreover, WTRs were found to be beneficial to microorganism growth. Because of the effects exerted by WTRs, the total abundance of bacteria in the sediments increased from 5.10×1012 to (0.66–4.81)×1014 copies g−1 for Lake Baiyangdian sediments and from 1.16×1013 to (1.08–7.14)×1014 for Lake Taihu sediments. Therefore, WTRs can be safely used to immobilize P in sediments for the purpose of lake restoration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Water treatment residuals (WTRs) are effective phosphorus (P) immobilizers that have been used in constructed wetlands (CWs). In CWs, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels vary from location to location and fluctuate over time. Therefore, this work accessed the stability of P saturated ferric and alum water treatment residuals (FARs) under low (<1 mg/L), medium (2-4 mg/L), and high (5-8 mg/L) DO levels. In the experiments, which had a 40-day duration, three stages of P release from the P saturated FARs were observed: an initial rapid P desorption stage, followed by a P re-adsorption stage, and a P desorption balance stage. The strongest bonding between P and FARs occurred at the low DO level. A limited amount of Fe and Al was released from the P saturated FARs. Interestingly, the P in the FARs tended to transform from the Al bound P to the Fe bound P, and this transformation was stronger at lower DO levels. However, no more than 1.12% of the total P in the P saturated FARs was desorbed under any of these DO levels. Therefore, FARs can be considered as a safe P adsorption medium for CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eutrophication of natural water commonly involves the pollution of both P and N. Here, we developed a new application of drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) for suspensions that permits the simultaneous removal of excess P and N from natural water and demonstrates that DWTRs recycling can provide a means for eutrophication control. Based on 364-day continuous flow tests, the suspension application of DWTRs effectively adsorbed P from overlying water under various conditions, decreasing total P concentrations from 0.0739 ± 0.0462 to 0.0111 ± 0.0079–0.0149 ± 0.0106 mg L−1, which achieved a class Ⅱ level of the China surface water quality standards during the tests. The total N concentrations were also reduced from 1.46 ± 0.63–1.52 ± 0.63 to 0.435 ± 0.185–0.495 ± 0.198 mg L−1, which achieved a class Ⅲ level during the stable stage of the tests. N removal was closely related to doses of DWTRs and aeration intensities. Effective N removal was mediated by the enriched microbial communities in the suspended DWTRs with simple, stable, and resilient networks, including many taxa associated with the N cycle (e.g., Rhodoplanes , Brevibacillus , and Pseudomonas). Further analysis indicated that both effective P adsorption and functional microbial community construction were closely related to Fe and Al in DWTRs. Suspension application prevented the burial effect of solids sinking from overlying water, which aided the ability of DWTRs to control pollution, and is potentially applicable to other materials for natural water remediation. • A new DWTRs application for suspensions was developed to control eutrophication. • Substantial P and N reductions in natural water were achieved by suspended DWTRs. • The simple and stable microbial communities in suspended DWTRs promoted N removal. • The favorable properties for both P and N removal were due to Fe and Al in DWTRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fe lability in DWTR was investigated with comparison to different Fe salts. • Organic matter, sulfide, and low ORP had a limited effect on Fe lability in DWTR. • EXAFS and Fe fractionation indicated that organic matter in DWTR stabilized Fe. • The varied microbial communities in sediment were closely related to Fe stability. Fe-based materials used to adsorb P are commonly considered to be limited by the increased Fe lability, while Fe in drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) shows stable P adsorption abilities. Accordingly, this study aimed to gain insight into Fe lability in DWTR as compared to FeCl 3 and Fe 2 (SO 4) 3 using Fe fractionation, EXAFS, and high-throughput sequencing technologies. The results showed that compared to Fe 2 (SO 4) 3 and FeCl 3 , Fe was relatively stable in the DWTR under the effects of organic matter, sulfides, and anaerobic conditions. Typically, the addition of FeCl 3 and Fe 2 (SO 4) 3 enhanced Fe mobility in sediment and overlying water, promoting the formation of Fe-humin acid and ferrous sulfides (FeS and FeS 2). However, the addition of DWTR, even at relatively high doses of Fe, has limited impact on Fe mobility. The addition remarkably increased oxidizable Fe in sediment (by approximately 63%), causing Fe to be dominated by oxidizable and residual fractions (like those in raw DWTR); EXAFS analysis also suggested that Fe-humin acid increased substantially with the addition of DWTR, becoming the main Fe species in sediment (with a relative abundance of 50.1%). Importantly, the Fe distributions were stable in sediment with DWTR added, which demonstrated that organic matter stabilized the Fe in the DWTR. Further analysis indicated that all materials promoted the enrichment of bacterial genera potentially related to Fe metabolism (e.g., Bacteroides, Dok59 , and Methanosarcina). Fe 2 O 3 in the FeCl 3 and Fe 2 (SO 4) 3 groups and Fe-HA in the DWTR group were the key species affecting the microbial communities. Overall, the stabilizing effect of organic matter on Fe in DWTR could be used to develop Fe-based materials to enhance Fe stability for environmental remediation. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial recycling of drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) for environmental remediation has received increasingly interests; whereas, the reported potential effect of microbial communities in different DWTR was ambiguous, which was unfavorable for the beneficial recycling. This study hypothesized that the varied treatment to DWTR in different waterworks induced the ambiguous effect; accordingly, responses of microbial communities in DWTR to the sequential dewatering and drying treatment were determined based on samples from three waterworks, in combination with 180-d incubation tests. The results showed that the microbial communities varied remarkably in different DWTR before being dewatered (DWTS). However, after dewatering, the increased microbial diversities were observed, and the microbial communities exhibited higher similarities among the dewatered DWTR from different waterworks; furthermore, the dewatered DWTR with subsequent drying treatment enriched more bacteria genus with potential environmental functions after incubation tests. The variations of microbial communities were closely related to DWTR properties, such as pH, organic matter, metals, P, and water extractable nutrients. Further analysis indicated that with maintaining high adsorption capability of DWTR, the dewatering treatment tended to retain specific microbial communities that may be induced by the applied similar techniques in different waterworks; the accumulated nutriments due to drying treatment and the stable DWTR pH enhanced the potential functional bacteria enrichment. Overall, the dewatering and drying treatment led to microbial communities with generality in different DWTR and increased the potential favorable microbial effect, promoting DWTR recycling in environmental remediation. Image 1 • Microbial communities had clear differences in sludge from different waterworks. • Microbial communities were with higher similarities among various dewatered DWTR. • Potentially functional bacterial genera were enriched in incubated dried DWTR. • Microbial community variations were mainly regulated by the DWTR properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Resuspension causes horizontal variations in P immobilization in lake sediments. • The resuspension effect is due to varying movements of different-sized particles. • Horizontal distribution of total P is regulated by 16–32 μm-sediment migration. • Migration of <8 and >63 μm materials regulates P immobilization in sediment planes. The importance of controlling internal phosphorus (P) pollution in lakes has been recognized by scientists, and the application of P-inactivating materials to immobilize sediment P is often considered. However, sediment resuspension, a typical physical process occurring in lakes, has been demonstrated to increase the uncertainty of immobilization. In this study, we explored the characteristics of P immobilization in the horizontal direction under the effects of resuspension using annular flume tests based on drinking water treatment residuals (DWTR). The results showed that resuspension caused the mobile P and bioavailable P to be heterogeneously distributed in sediment planes after DWTR addition, resulting in varying P immobilization efficiencies at different depths. In particular, the coefficient of variation was 14.2–24.5% for mobile P horizontally distributed in the planes, resulting in a range of mobile P decreasing efficiencies at 24.0–47.8%. Further analysis indicated that variations in horizontal distribution were typically due to the varied migration of particles of different sizes. Specifically, P immobilization in sediment planes at different depths was regulated by promoting the migration of <8 μm DWTR after relatively low-intensity disturbance (in surface 0–1 cm sediment). After relatively high-intensity disturbance (in the whole 0–3 cm sediment), immobilization in the horizontal direction was regulated by coupling the migration of >63 μm DWTR (to the bottom) with the mixing of <8 μm DWTR in the sediment plane at different depths. The varying horizontal distributions of total P, resulting from the migration of 16–32 μm sediment, could enhance the heterogeneities of the P immobilization. Thus, the particle size of materials and lake background conditions, for example, the hydrodynamic characteristics and P distributions in differently sized sediments, should be used as key bases to select or develop P-inactivating materials to design proper remediation strategies for controlling internal P pollution in lakes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of ceramsite to construct filtration systems (e.g., biofilters) is a common method for water treatment. To promote such applications, the development of low-cost, high-performance, and environmentally friendly ceramsites has received increasing attention from scientists, and a critical step in the development is the preparation of raw materials. As an inevitable and non-hazardous by-product during potable water production, drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) is typically recycled to make water treatment ceramsite to promote recycling in filtration systems. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding DWTR in making ceramsites for water treatment. The results suggest that the fabrication methods for DWTR-based ceramsite can be generally classified into sintering and non-sintering procedures. For the sintering method, owing to the heterogeneous properties (especially aluminum, iron, and calcium), DWTR has been applied as various sub-ingredients for raw materials preparations. In contrast, for the non-sintering method, DWTR is commonly applied as the main ingredient, and natural curing, physical crosslinking, and thermal treatment methods have been typically adopted to make ceramsite. However, DWTR-based ceramsites tend to have a high adsorption capability and favorable microbial effects to control different kinds of pollution (e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter). Future work is typically recommended to thoroughly evaluate the performance of DWTR-based ceramsite-constructed filtration systems to control water pollution concerning the making procedures, the potential to control pollution, the stability, and the safety of raw DWTR-based ceramsite, providing systematic information to design more proper planning for beneficial recycling. [Display omitted] • Drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) recycled to make ceramsite is reviewed. • DWTR could provide various necessary components of raw material to make ceramsite. • The ceramsite has high adsorption capability and favorable microbial effect. • Recommendation for future works about DWTR based ceramsite is offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]