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Climate change, unpredictable weather patterns, and droughts are depleting water resources in some parts of the globe, where recycling and reusing wastewater is a strategy for different purposes. To counteract this, the EU regulation for water reuse sets minimum requirements for the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation, including a reduction in human enteric viruses. In the present study, the occurrence of several human enteric viruses, including the human norovirus genogroup I (HuNoV GI), HuNoV GII, and rotavirus (RV), along with viral fecal contamination indicator crAssphage was monitored by using (RT)-qPCR methods on influent wastewater and reclaimed water samples. Moreover, the level of somatic coliphages was also determined as a culturable viral indicator. To assess the potential viral infectivity, an optimization of a capsid integrity PMAxx-RT-qPCR method was performed on sewage samples. Somatic coliphages were present in 60% of the reclaimed water samples, indicating inefficient virus inactivation. Following PMAxx-RT-qPCR optimization, 66% of the samples tested positive for at least one of the analyzed enteric viruses, with concentrations ranging from 2.79 to 7.30 Log10 genome copies (gc)/L. Overall, most of the analyzed reclaimed water samples did not comply with current EU legislation and contained potential infectious viral particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Lake reclamation cut off the direct seepage from the lake to groundwater in reclaimed farmland, the aquifer showed a connection with lake water by horizontal groundwater flow. The chemical analysis demonstrated that after reclamation, groundwater hydrodynamic conditions are gradually weakening. The lake-groundwater interaction interface is gradually varied and moves into the lake during this period. This change is easily ignored because the modification may take years to be observed. However, the lake ecology may be threatened seriously during this process. Lake reclamation project exerts anthropogenic pressures on the groundwater environment and lake ecosystem function, would affect the natural resilience of the lake systems and increases their vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of water resources and environmental pollution in the coal mining areas of western China severely restricts high-quality mine development and construction there. Treating mine water as a valuable unconventional water resource for large-scale processing and efficient utilization is a crucial approach. This paper discusses the current status of mine water treatment technology in this region and provides a systematic comparison and analysis of common and emerging treatment technologies for mine water containing suspended solids, high salinity, and fluoride. The paper extensively elaborates on the fundamental principles, process routes, and technical features of these technologies, citing typical engineering cases. It also outlines the challenges that mine water treatment in the coal mining areas of western China is likely to face in the future. Based on the current status of mine water resource utilization in China, various pathways forward are clarified. Finally, this paper presents a scientific reflection and proposed solutions for mine water treatment technology and resource utilization in the coal mining areas of western China, concluding with a prospective outlook on the future development of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Water conservation is of particular importance for arid regions, including many Muslim-majority countries. With the added pressures of human population growth and expansion and global climate change, water conservation efforts are imperative to extending the life of current water supplies as well as to sourcing water treatment methods that are religiously congruent. We review Qur'anic verses that address water usage and conservation. We searched the English translations of the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an and the King Saud University Electronic Moshaf Project for Qur'anic scripture related to water and water conservation. A total of 25 verses were found that related to creation, water usage for agriculture and food provision/production and as a common resource for humanity. Qur'anic scripture encourages gratitude for water and wise stewardship of this resource. Specific prohibitions against the reuse of water (e.g., treated water) were not found, and recent Islamic literature supports the use of cleansed greywater. Treated greywater may thus be an additional source for agricultural needs, thus reducing the stress placed on already limited water supplies. Water conservation falls within Qur'anic scripture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Públic is the property of Revista Catalana de Dret Public and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The growing urban population, increasing income per capita, and significant rise in the number of people living in cities are all placing a strain on the nation's water supply and calling for innovative methods of urban water management. Water stress, excessive resource consumption, nutrient discharge into aquatic ecosystems, and financially unstable utilities are all consequences of the traditional linear "take, make, waste" approach to water management. Many strategies are required to achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability. More closed‐loop urban wastewater and resource management systems can be developed and implemented with the help of a toolkit that includes stormwater management/rainwater harvesting, water conservation, water reclamation and reuse, energy management, nutrient recovery, and source separation. Water conservation, water reclamation, and wastewater reuse are becoming the norm in many water‐poor regions. This shift is hastened by decentralization, made possible by dispersed stormwater management/rainwater collection and innovative high‐performance treatment technologies. Similar changes are occurring in conventional methods of residual management due to the need for more energy recovery and nutrient recovery and reuse. Finding the most outstanding long‐term solutions requires an economic study done well. The practice of stove‐piping must be eradicated from urban wastewater and resource management. These novel techniques for managing urban wastewater and resources can produce more long‐term, financially stable, resource‐efficient, environmentally friendly, nutrient‐sensitive, and sanitary outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth, coupled with climate and social shifts, has resulted in a global phenomenon of water scarcity. Yet, the effect of social factors on water resources has been poorly studied. Hence, this study aimed to identify the key parameters in social systems that significantly impact hydrological system change and presents the best scenario for water management. The system dynamic (SD) approach was employed in this research to construct a combined framework of policies based on scenarios, which aimed to ensure social sustainability and coupled human-water systems. For this purpose, the SD model was simulated on the Gavshan Basin in the west of Iran for the long-term period 2020-2050. The results indicate that the water resources in the Gavshan Basin cannot meet the growth of the population. Meanwhile, about 20% of the water stored in the Gavshan Dam is not effectively used and flows out of the irrigation network as wastewater. The result of the sensitivity analysis showed that in scenarios 3 and 4, the policy of wastewater reuse in the agricultural sector significantly increases available water resources, has a major impact on water supply, and increases crop yields. These findings can be applied by policy-makers. Instead of making efforts only to change hydrological systems, policies need to first focus on socio-hydrology systems sustainability. It is suggested that national organizations' support should be implemented to prevent the adverse consequences of wastewater reuse in agriculture and reduce treated wastewater risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current study is to investigate the hydrogeochemistry of the Quaternary groundwater and evaluating its suitability for drinking and irrigation needs using statistical analysis, water quality indicators and physicochemical parameters, in west of the Nile Delta, Egypt. The study area has high population growth and agricultural activities, which require groundwater protection, and predicting probable environmental problems. For these reasons, 54 groundwater samples were collected during April 2021. Hierarchical cluster analysis, Pearson, and factor analysis used for statistical analysis. Biplots, Gibbs and Piper diagrams were used to infer the geochemical processes controlling groundwater chemistry. The groundwater is affected by silicate weathering, reveres ion exchange, dissolution of CO2, and recharge from the Nile. According to the WQICCME drinking value, the groundwater ranged between fair to marginal water quality. The distribution of integrated-weight water quality index of the samples, showed that it is excellent for irrigation (< 25). The nine physicochemical parameters sodium percent (Na%), permeability index, sodium adsorption ratio, Kelley Index, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium hazard, Potential Salinity, Corrosive Ratio and Chloro-alkaline Indices revealed that most of the groundwater are of good quality and can be safely used for agricultural activities, albeit few samples due the west needs some treatment. It is recommended to minimize the fertilizers and nutrients use to decrease the anthropogenic impact on the groundwater. The reuse of irrigation water without treatment should be limited. As well, the pumping rates should be controlled to avoid aquifer salinization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafiltration (UF) has been widely utilized as water pretreatment for different applications especially in water reuse. The UF system operation is characterized by a filtration phase, where particles accumulate on the membrane surface resulting in an increase in the transmembrane pressure (TMP) and a cleaning phase, where foulants are removed through cleaning cycles including physical backwash and chemical-enhanced backwash (CEB). In this study, data from an engineering-scale UF system treating reclaimed wastewater were used to assess the impact of backwashing on the filtration process. TMP backwash trigger, backwash duration, and CEB frequency were purposely varied for a cycle-by-cycle investigation on the net water production, water recovery, initial operating TMP, and filtration cycle duration. As the TMP backwash trigger was varied between 62 and 145 kPa, the maximum net water production (63 m3/d) was achieved at 103 kPa and water recovery remained relatively constant at approximately 92 %. Backwash durations of 45, 65, and 85 s were performed where both net water production and water recovery yielded similar results (~63 m3/d and ~ 91 %) compared with 103 kPa TMP backwash trigger. The CEB frequency was also lowered from one every three backwashes (1/3) to 1/6 and 1/12 and resulted in decreased net water production and water recovery while the initial TMP increased. Interestingly, the total number of CEBs remained approximately constant regardless of their frequency. Results suggest that CEB is an important fouling control process to maximize water production.

Reusing reclaimed water for crop irrigation can mitigate water scarcity in agriculture; however, contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides in wastewater pose risks. This study investigated the impact of a coupled bio-solar photocatalytic treatment on the reclamation of water polluted with seven pharmaceuticals and seven pesticides for irrigation of two tomato crop cycles. Pollutant residues were removed using natural sunlight and TiO2/Na2S2O8 in a pilot plant located in Murcia, Spain. Efficient removal (> 96 %) of all target pollutants was achieved in the effluent after coupled treatment. Reclaimed water was then used to irrigate the tomato crops, and several yield and quality parameters were analysed to evaluate the effects on the harvested tomatoes. No significant differences were observed in the total yield, number and mean fruit weight, size, pericarp firmness, external colour, and nutritional data between the crops irrigated with reclaimed, control, and polluted water. However, differences in the degree of ripeness were observed. None of the investigated pollutants was detected above the limit of quantification in tomato samples irrigated with reclaimed water, except for venlafaxine (0.028 µg kg−1) in the second crop cycle. When the crop was irrigated with polluted water, different pollutant residues were detected in soil (10) and tomato (4) samples. The results suggest that coupled bio-solar photocatalytic treatment is an effective method for reclaiming water polluted with pharmaceutical and pesticide residues, and the reclaimed water can be safely used for tomato irrigation without compromising crop yield and quality.

Electrochemical chlorination is promising for direct potable reuse (DPR) with zero-chemical-input and was investigated in this study for its application potential in reverse osmosis (RO)-based and non-RO-based DPR processes. Treatment of the simulated reclaimed water from non-RO-based trains showed satisfactory chlorine evolution compared to that from the RO-based trains. Under an applied current of 100 mA, a desired free chlorine concentration of 2 mg Cl2 L−1 was obtained within a short reaction time of 3.5 s. Consistent chlorine evolution performance was achieved in continuous experiments for 500 cycles, and the effluent pH was within the range of potable water guidelines (6.5 – 8.5). Electrochemical chlorination showed competitive disinfection performance compared to conventional chemical chlorination (7 log inactivation of E. coli within 60 s) at a low energy demand of ∼ 0.05 kWh m−3. The results of this preliminary investigation encourage the further exploration of electrochemical chlorination for DPR through the use of noble-metal-free anodes, utilization of renewable energy sources, removing persistent organic contaminants, and examining the synergy with RO-based DPR.

ABSTRACT The search for more sustainable systems of rice cultivation, especially in relation to water use, has included the evaluation of more-efficient irrigation systems in addition to alternative water sources. The aim of this study was to conduct a phytosociological survey of weeds in rice crops irrigated by subsurface drip with different concentrations of treated dairy effluent, maintaining the soil moisture at saturation or field capacity. A pilot scale experiment was carried out in a protected environment using a randomised block design in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The IAC 301 cultivar (Arborio rice) was chosen. The phytosociological surveys were carried out on four different dates, and considered the composition as well as the distribution of plant species in each of the applied treatments, using the importance value index (IVI) to evaluate the influence of each treatment. The results showed that cultivating irrigated rice, giving priority to water management, altered the ecology of invasive plants. Fourteen weed species were identified, distributed over 10 families. The effluent dose did not alter the incidence of invasive plants, and only at the final evaluation was there a reduction in the IVI value at effluent concentrations of 50% and 75%. For soil moisture, the highest IVI values occurred on the first two days of the survey under saturated conditions; this result was reversed closer to plant maturity, when the IVI values were higher at field capacity.

The treatment and reuse of industrial water is a matter of great interest, given the severe shortage of water resources. It is widely acknowledged that power plants, particularly wet-cooled power plants, consume a significant amount of water. Therefore, research on the circulating cooling system (CCS) and the treatment of the return cooling water is of utmost importance. This study examined data on CCS inlet (water body), make up, and cooling water parameters, calculated a water balance, and predicted the hydrochemical quality of cooling tower blowdown water (CTBD). The study was conducted for an operating power plant to propose an effective treatment scheme for the return of CTBD to the process cycle. Additionally, it evaluated the possibility of recycling CTBD in the clarifier through laboratory modeling. Therefore, based on the results of this study, an effective treatment scheme is proposed to return CTBD to the technological cycle to ensure environmental sustainability. Recycled water was used as the water supply for the cooling tower, and a lime softening treatment was applied to clean the CTBD. According to the results, it is possible to recover quality indicators from a portion of the return cooling water after lime softening treatment. The novelty of this study lies in the successful demonstration of a lime softening regime that enables the blending of up to 25 % CTBD with make up water, without necessitating an increased CaO dose. This regime maintains TH levels at 2.2 mg-eq/dm³ and ensures that the discharge velocity of 0.7 m/s remains within regulatory standards. Additionally, it maintains standard concentrations of chloride (Cl⁻) and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) in CTBD at 200 mg/dm³ and 250 mg/dm³, respectively.

In Iran, water scarcity is increasing due to the rapid growth in economy and population, but also due to waste and overuse. Marginal water resources (unutilized water of lower quality) can provide important options to augment water supply or replace freshwater use. In this way, they can reconcile the seemingly opposing views of water development and water management. Encouraging reuse and circulation of marginal water can enhance water availability and conserve freshwater. This paper analyses water reuse options and policies in Iran. It explains policy constraints based on the type of water for reuse and compares the water reuse policies in Iran to regional experiences. Such a contextualization of Iran’s policies from a regional perspective provides opportunities for mutual learning and lessons for policy reforms. For Iran, there is a need for investments and comprehensive reuse policies. New water sources need to be appropriately identified, treated, delivered and accepted by end-users and society.

Unconventional Oil and Gas operations require large volumes of water to stimulate the production of sequestered hydrocarbons. The water is supplemented with alcohols, surfactants, and biocides. The overall operation generates copious amounts of wastewater known as flowback and produced water. The biogeochemical richness of these oilfield wastewaters provide optimal conditions for the proliferation of different types of microorganisms, particularly bacterial communities. The impact of these microorganisms on hydraulic fracturing operations includes biofilm production, sulfur reduction, petroleum degradation and the corrosion of surface infrastructure. The characterization of the bacterial species present in these waters often requires several analytical techniques including molecular methods and sequencing. To minimize the reliance on fresh water, treatment protocols with sophisticated technologies are employed to eliminate both biological and chemical pollutants from the flowback-produced water and reuse it in hydraulic fracturing. Included is a discussion of the various bacterial communities that have been previously found in hydraulic fracturing wastewater as well as the analytical tools typically employed in their characterization. We also discuss the impact of bacteria found in produced water, the main treatment technologies employed in FPW sanitation, and the current challenges associated to microbial eradication.

The article discusses the Advanced Purified Water Facility (APWF) project in northern Nevada, which aims to implement advanced water treatment technologies for water reuse. The project is a joint effort by the City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) and is part of OneWater Nevada's water sustainability initiative. The APWF will utilize ozone oxidation and biological filtration to produce high-quality drinking water that meets or exceeds state and federal standards. The project is expected to enhance water resilience and sustainability in the region and serve as a model for other noncoastal reclamation facilities. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of byproduct synergy (BPS) in the context of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. BPS involves matching waste or byproduct streams from one facility with potential uses at another facility to create new revenues or savings with social and environmental benefits. The Envision sustainability framework and rating system encourages project teams to consider byproduct use and identify opportunities for beneficial reuse. The article provides examples of BPS in projects involving wastewater biosolids, fly ash in concrete design, and the reuse of materials in construction. The article emphasizes the importance of investigating opportunities for beneficial reuse to promote sustainability in the water industry. [Extracted from the article]

The water reuse facilities of industrial parks face the challenge of managing a growing variety of wastewater sources as their inlet water. Typically, this clustering outcome is designed by engineers with extensive expertise. This paper presents an innovative application of unsupervised learning methods to classify inlet water in Chinese water reuse stations, aiming to reduce reliance on engineer experience. The concept of ‘water quality distance’ was incorporated into three unsupervised learning clustering algorithms (K-means, DBSCAN, and AGNES), which were validated through six case studies. Of the six cases, three were employed to illustrate the feasibility of the unsupervised learning clustering algorithm. The results indicated that the clustering algorithm exhibited greater stability and excellence compared to both artificial clustering and ChatGPT-based clustering. The remaining three cases were utilized to showcase the reliability of the three clustering algorithms. The findings revealed that the AGNES algorithm demonstrated superior potential application ability. The average purity in six cases of K-means, DBSCAN, and AGNES were 0.947, 0.852, and 0.955, respectively. HIGHLIGHTS Validation of three unsupervised learning clustering algorithms in six real cases.; L2 distance improved based on water quality in the clustering algorithms.; Practical engineering applications consideration.; Machine clustering compared with human and ChatGPT's clustering.;

Wastewater treatment has become widely recognized as a highly efficient approach for tackling the pressing issue of limited access to clean water, which is anticipated to give rise to a global crisis in the foreseeable future. This highlights the need to pay close attention to Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology, which has emerged as a promising solution for industrial wastewater treatment because of its efficiency and exceptional capability to provide high-quality treated water, especially in developing countries. As industrialization accelerates in these regions, the management and treatment of industrial wastewater present pressing environmental and public health challenges. MBR technology, a combination of membrane filtration and biological treatment, offers a viable solution with distinct advantages, such as enhanced treatment efficiency, smaller footprint, reduced chemical usage, and water reuse potential. This review comprehensively examines MBR technology as a novel and transformative approach to industrial wastewater treatment in developing countries. Some key findings suggest that addressing the challenge of membrane fouling by employing strategies such as selecting appropriate membranes based on specific wastewater characteristics and implementing membrane backwashing and chemical cleaning can extend membrane life and improve performance. The operational success of the Membrane Reactor Technology rests on continuous optimization and control of parameters like Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) concentration and aeration rates, which can maximize treatment efficiency and minimize energy usage. The provision of training for skilled operation and routine maintenance is crucial. The study indicates that successful country-level technology implementation depends on understanding the specific characteristics of local wastewater hydraulic conditions and implementing appropriate pretreatment processes to avoid clogging. Stakeholder collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for overcoming costs, technical expertise, energy consumption, and regulatory compliance barriers. Further, efforts from governments, industries, and international organizations are necessary to effectively deploy MBR technology, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of industrialization and supporting sustainable development in developing countries.

A green technique that emerged as a promise in the degradation of numerous organic contaminants is photocatalysis. The aim of this study concerns photocatalytic degradation of organic using titanium dioxide nano particles (TiO2 NPs) which syntheses from ilmenite by different leaching methods using different ingredients such as HCl, HNO3 and Aqua Regia. The affecting factors such as rate of addition, reaction time, ilmenite grain size, acid to ilmenite ratio and reaction temperature were conducted. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of Ilmenite and TiO2 NPs were conducted using different analytical techniques such as XRD, XRF, SEM, TEM and FTIR. Photocatalytic degradation of organics is confirmed by studies of affecting factors on the effectiveness of TiO2 NPs such as dose, agitation forces, light intensity, initial concentration, pH, time, and temperature. The removal percentages of TSS, COD, BOD and TN of organics were explored. From the results the maximum removal percentage of TSS were 97.3 and 96.9% before and after secondary treatment conducted using ferric chloride (FC). The maximum removal percentage of TKN, BOD, and COD before secondary treatment were conducted using mixture of TiO2 NPs, FC, and chitosan, which reached 44.2, 44 and 46.3%, respectively. The maximum removal percentage of TKN, BOD, and COD after secondary treatment were conducted using mixture of TiO2 NPs, FC, and chitosan, which reached 94.9, 99.7 and 99.6%, respectively. Overall, the results derived from this investigation suggest that the TiO2 NPs/UV holds significant advanced treatment of sewage water, making it a viable choice for water reuse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of ligands on the palladium-catalyzed 1,2-diarylation reaction course is presented. The application of Pd-dmpzc as a catalyst provides an efficient, chemoselective and sustainable protocol for the synthesis of valuable 1,2-diphenylethyl acetates. The reaction is conducted in water under mild conditions. Reaction products can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and catalyst by simple extraction. What is more, the rational choice of catalyst significantly reduces the leaching of the metal into the product and its contamination (0.1 ppm). Efficient phase separation and ultralow Pd leaching enable the reuse of the water medium containing the Pd-dmpzc catalyst several times without a significant loss of activity and with even higher selectivity (from 95% to 100% in the third cycle). The recyclability of both the catalyst and the reaction medium together with high chemoselectivity and low palladium leaching reduces the amount of waste and the cost of the process, exhibiting an example of a sustainable and green methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are seen as a promising technology for application in water reuse schemes. However, the evidence base for their potential and efficacy in this regard is fragmented. We draw together this disparate knowledge base to offer a state of the art review of municipal wastewater treatment with AnMBRs and evaluate the technology's potential application for water reuse. Water quality regulations and standards from different regions of the world are used as performance metrics to compare and contrast the treatment performance of pilot and laboratory scale AnMBR systems reported in the literature (n = 50). Findings indicate that under stable operation, AnMBRs have the potential to produce water for agricultural reuse. However, without post-treatment, AnMBRs are incapable of delivering water that meets other non-potable reuse standards across a range of important parameters such as COD, BOD5, NH3-N and TP. Analysis of key operational parameters determine the operation of AnMBR for non-potable reuse purpose cover influent water matrix, pH, temperature, hydraulic retention time, system and membrane configuration. An assessment of candidate post-treatment technologies suggests a tradeoff between the cost and effluent quality based on the reuse application requirement. We conclude by discussing a number of challenges and limitations to the use of AnMBRs for reuse applications in order to outline a pathway to maturity for effective treatment trains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of treated municipal wastewater (TWW) represents a relevant opportunity for irrigation of agricultural crops in semi-arid regions to counter the increasing water scarcity. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are often detected in treated wastewater, posing a risk to humans and the environment. PhACs can accumulate in soils and translocate into different plant tissues, reaching, in some cases, edible organs and entering the food chain. Methods: This study evaluated the uptake and translocation processes of 10 PhACs by olive trees irrigated with TWW, investigating their accumulation in different plant organs. The experiment was conducted in southern Italy, in 2-year-old plants irrigated with three different types of water: freshwater (FW), TWW spiked with 10 PhACs at a concentration of 200 µg L-1 (1× TWW), and at a triple dose (3× TWW), from July to October 2021. The concentration of PhACs in soil and plant organs was assessed, collecting samples of root, stem, shoot, leaf, fruit, and kernel at 0 (T0), 50 (T1), and 107 (T2) days of irrigation. PhACs extraction from soil and plant organs was carried out using the QuEChERS method, and their concentrations were determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography. Results: Results of uptake factors (UF) showed a different behavior between compounds according to their physicochemical properties, highlighting PhACs accumulation and translocation in different plant organs (also edible part) in 1× TWW and 3× TWW compared to FW. Two PhACs, carbamazepine and fluconazole, showed interactions with the soil-plant system, translocating also in the aerial part of the plant, with a translocation factor (TF) greater than 1, which indicates high root-to-leaf translocation. Discussion: Findings highlight that only few PhACs among the selected compounds can be uptaken by woody plants and accumulated in edible parts at low concentration. No effects of PhACs exposure on plant growth have been detected. Despite the attention to be paid to the few compounds that translocate into edible organs, these results are promising for adapting wastewater irrigation in crops. Increasing knowledge about PhACs behavior in woody plants can be important for developing optimized wastewater irrigation and soil management strategies to reduce PhACs accumulation and translocation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing reclaimed water is of paramount importance to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 13. In Europe, a recent Regulation set minimum requirements for water reuse in agriculture. However, some challenges remain considering microbial risks and their prevention. In this study, two urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were investigated from the perspective of reuse. A five-year investigation was performed on routine monitoring parameters collected under different weather conditions (wet/dry) and treatments (chlorination/non-chlorination) in inlet and outlet samples. Moreover, a three-month investigation focused on microbial parameters, including indicators, index pathogens (Human Adenovirus—HAdV, Salmonella spp.), and other viral pathogens (norovirus, enterovirus, and SARS-CoV-2). The long-term study revealed the compliance of both WWTPs for chemical parameters (organic substances and solids) in more than 90% of samples, whereas for Escherichia coli, the compliance ranged from 96.1% with chlorination under dry weather to 16.7% without chlorination in wet days. E. coli was positively associated with chemical oxygen demand (COD), which could be a promising and online measurable proxy of E. coli. The study on microbial performance demonstrated sound reliability in detecting E. coli as a suitable surrogate for Salmonella in chlorinated effluents, but neither bacterial nor viral indicators are able to represent HAdV. Although chlorination was able to remove most of the pathogens considered, the compliance with microbial indicators seems insufficient to represent viral water safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The use of reclaimed water in agriculture can be beneficial to KSA with careful planning and management. • To reduce chemical dangers including heavy metals, agricultural irrigation should be subject to stricter quality regulations. • The application of 30 % reclaimed water (T2) enhanced the germination percentage, relative seed germination, and seedling vigor index of V. radiata. • Wastewater irrigation lets us "recycle" the nutrients in it and resolves the problems with high water consumption in water-stressed places. • In KSA wastewater reuse helps in achieving the sustainable development goals of VISION 2030. An efficient method of managing agricultural resources is to reuse wastewater for crop irrigation and fertilization. Irrigation using reclaimed water after treatment can have both beneficial and bad environmental effects. The national water strategy of Saudi Arabia considers reclaimed wastewater as an essential component of Saudi Arabia's water resource. It targets to decrease the load of desalination from the Red Sea and use it as a major source of agriculture and industrial use. In Vigna radiata , an experiment is carried out to determine the level of dilution for agricultural application in a seed germination experiment in response to contaminants. The physicochemical properties such as pH, ammonia, turbidity, and chloride values of reclaimed water were higher as compared to the standard guidelines of KSA for using irrigation water. Further, all the studied parameter concentrations decreased with the dilution of tap water. In the seed germination experiment,% germination, relative seed germination, seedling vigor index, etc. were calculated as compared to the control. The results infer that the application of 30 % reclaimed water (T2) enhanced the germination percentage, relative seed germination, and seedling vigor index of V. radiata. The growth of root, shoot, relative shoot growth, fresh weight, and dry weight of seedlings showed that T5 and T6 treatments are not suitable for Vigna cultivation as compared to the control. However, the results suggested that dilution of reclaimed water decreases the concentrations of potential contaminants of emerging concern, heavy metals, pesticides, etc., and makes the water suitable for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improvement of water supply and sanitation and better management of water resources, especially in terms of water reuse, is one of the priorities of the European Green Deal. In this context, it is crucial to find new strategies to recycle wastewater efficiently in a low-cost and eco-friendly manner. The immobilization of inorganic nanomaterials on polymeric matrices has been drawing a lot of attention in recent years due to the extraordinary properties characterizing the as-obtained nanocomposites. The hybrid materials, indeed, combine the properties of the polymers, such as flexibility, low cost, mechanical stability, high durability, and ease of availability, with the properties of the inorganic counterpart. In particular, if the inorganic fillers are nanostructured photocatalysts, the materials will be able to utilize the energy delivered by light to catalyze chemical reactions for efficient wastewater treatment. Additionally, with the anchoring of the nanomaterials to the polymers, the dispersion of the nanomaterials in the environment is prevented, thus overcoming one of the main limits that impede the application of nanostructured photocatalysts on a large scale. In this work, we will present nanocomposites made of polymers, i.e., polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and photocatalytic semiconductors, i.e., TiO2 nanoparticles (Evonik). MoS2 nanoflakes were also added as co-catalysts to improve the photocatalytic performance of the TiO2. The hybrid materials were prepared using the sonication and solution casting method. The nanocomposites were deeply characterized, and their remarkable photocatalytic abilities were evaluated by the degradation of two common water pollutants: methyl orange and diclofenac. The relevance of the obtained results will be discussed, opening the route for the application of these materials in photocatalysis and especially for novel wastewater remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal and industrial wastewater effluent is an important source of water for lotic systems, especially during periods of low flow. The accumulated wastewater effluent flows—expressed as a percentage of total streamflow (ACCWW%)—contain chemical mixtures that pose a risk to aquatic life; fish may be particularly vulnerable when chronically exposed. Although there has been considerable focus on individual‐level effects of exposure to chemical mixtures found in wastewater effluent, scaling up to population‐level effects remains a challenging component needed to better understand the potential consequences of exposure in wild populations. This may be particularly important under a changing climate in which wastewater reuse could be essential to maintain river flows. We evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to wastewater effluent, as measured by ACCWW%, on the relative abundance of young‐of‐year (YOY), juvenile, and adult smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) populations in the Shenandoah River Watershed (USA). We found that increases in ACCWW% in the previous year and during the prespawn period were negatively correlated with the relative abundance of YOY, resulting in an average 41% predicted decrease in abundance (range = 0.5%–94% predicted decrease in abundance). This lagged effect suggests that adult fish reproductive performance may be compromised by chemical exposure during periods of high ACCWW%. No relationships between ACCWW% and juvenile or adult relative abundance were found, suggesting that negative effects of ACCWW% on YOY abundance may be offset due to compensatory mechanisms following higher ACCWW% exposure. Understanding the effects of wastewater effluent exposure at multiple levels of biological organization will help in the development of management strategies aimed at protecting aquatic life. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1138–1148. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the challenges and future perspectives of managing organic contaminants in potable reuse systems up to the year 2050. The authors highlight the need for improved removal and degradation of organic contaminants, as well as the disposal of reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) in inland systems. They also discuss the potential increase in regulatory and treatment concerns for organic contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), taste and odor compounds, microbial byproducts, and plastics. The article emphasizes the importance of developing new technologies and treatment processes to address emerging contaminants and improve the efficiency of water reuse systems. [Extracted from the article]

Exploding population, industrialization, and an increase in water pollution has led to acute shrinkage in freshwater availability. Numerous countries have started exploring municipal wastewater as a new potential source of water to bring a paradigm shift from linearity to obtaining circularity in human water cycle management. This study aims to develop a decision support system for integrated water and wastewater management (DSS_IWWM), targeted towards reuse-focused selection of appropriate wastewater treatment technology, and localized planning around STPs in terms of reclaimed water demand identification, estimation, allocation, and sustainable pricing. The developed DSS_IWWM comprises of a repository of fourteen reuse purposes, reuse quality criteria, and 25 wastewater treatment technologies (WWTTs) in 360 combinations. It is sensitive to local resource scenarios and applies a socioeconomic and technology-focused methodology for addressing the interests of the community and investing agencies and viably. To validate the application of the DSS_IWWM, it is first tested with data from three cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh (India)—Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Agra—and then extended to nine more Indian cities with varying influent quality characteristics, resource inputs, existing STP technologies, and same target quality and decision criteria prioritization, to present a comparison of appropriate WWTTs and associated average prices obtained in different scenarios. It is concluded that influent quality, existing technology, and target quality criteria play significant role in selection of appropriate WWTTs. The traditional technologies such as UASB and ASP are required to be augmented and supplemented with high-performing WWTTs, such as BIOFOR-F with (C + F + RSF) and SBT + WP to obtain desired effluent quality. High-performing advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based systems such as A2O, SBR, and BIOFOR-F require WWTTs with relatively lower average costs (such as SBT and OP). The developed DSS_IWWM may prove to be very useful and beneficial for policymakers, government officials, engineers, and scientific community as it will facilitate rational decision-making for efficient investment planning in reuse focused wastewater treatment towards achieving circular economy in sustainable water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction sector is the largest contributor to waste in Europe. Approximately one-third of all waste originates from construction and demolition. In Europe, most construction and demolition waste (CDW) is recycled as backfilling and only limited amounts of construction materials are reused for their original purpose. There is a current policy push by the European Commission (EC), as well as several EU member states, focused on lifting waste up the European waste hierarchy from recycling to reuse to help preserve resources and reduce the environmental impacts of CDW, which is considered a priority waste stream. This article explores the potential and the barriers to the increased reuse of CDW and describes several business models for reuse based around the intersection between public authorities, waste companies and private companies involved in the construction and demolition sector. The article is empirically based on a study of various reuse schemes operated by waste companies, municipalities and private waste operators in Denmark. Using a mixed-methods approach, in which survey methods are combined with company visits and qualitative interviews, the article analyzes the potential and the barriers to the creation of direct reuse schemes for CDW. Based on the findings from these, four generic business models for the direct reuse and recycling of CDW are synthesized specifically targeting the CDW fractions that are waste managed at public recycling stations. Finally, the article discusses how market conditions, environmental issues and quality can influence emerging reuse schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, being a developing economy, has ensured a significant contribution of the gross domestic product for the development of the infrastructure. This growth in infrastructural development has fostered social and economic development across the nation. However, the increasing number of construction projects lay a huge stress on the availability of raw materials. Also, the wastes generated during construction, as well as at the end-of-life of infrastructural projects and buildings, are usually disposed of in landfills or on open earth without treatment, thereby causing pollution. The idea of circular economy (CE) is known as a sustainable approach for the efficient use of resources across different sectors. CE encompasses the facets of the repair, maintenance, refurbishment, reuse and recycle. This research article, using exploratory survey research, is to analyse the factors which act as determinants for the reuse of construction materials in the Indian subcontinent. The respondents for the survey include academia, practitioners, industry experts and policymakers. The research categorizes the identified factors into eight dimensions: economic, environmental, social, technical, infrastructural, legal, behavioural and temporal factors. The research further gives a framework for determinants of reuse of construction materials based on the different life cycle stages of construction. Finally, based on this research, the article develops policy suggestions for promoting the reuse of construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, collectively known as BTEX compounds, are significant emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater. Stricter effluent quality regulations necessitate their removal, especially with concerns about organic micropollutant concentrations. Water scarcity further underscores the need for wastewater treatment to ensure safe agricultural or drinking water supplies. Although biological treatment partially reduces BTEX levels through processes like biodegradation and sorption, additional purification using physico-chemical methods is crucial for substantial reduction. This paper aims to outline plant-wide simulation methods for treating BTEX-contaminated sewage and facilitating reuse, adhering to IWA Good Modelling Practice Guidelines. The model, built upon the MiniSumo process model, incorporates equations detailing BTEX metabolism and removal kinetics, informed by an extensive literature review. Using a variant of the Benchmark Simulation Model with granular activated carbon for water reuse, the study examines strategies for improving effluent quality and minimizing operational costs. These strategies include adjusting the sludge retention time and airflow to enhance BTEX degradation and stripping, respectively, and comparing maintenance approaches for the GAC tower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A whole-year investigation of full-scale integrated subsurface-constructed wetlands (ISCWs) was carried out to purify the tail water from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for wastewater reclamation under four plant species, four hydraulic loading rates (HLRs), and four seasons. The results showed that ISCWs were effective for the purification of WWTP discharge, with the average removal efficiencies of COD, NH4+-N, TN, and TP being 48%, 49%, 9%, and 30%, respectively. Typical pollutant concentrations in the treated effluent of ISCWs were 8.19 mg/L COD, 1.76 mg/L NH4+-N, 11.57 mg/L TN, and 0.36 mg/L TP, which met most of the water quality standards for reusing recycling water. Emergent plants with well-developed root systems may be capable of promoting the decontamination of ISCWs. Seasonal change played an important role in the treatment process: the removal of phosphorus by plant uptake and microbial utilization was more active in the warm season and the co-occurrence of organic degradation and nitrification, whereas the cold season is conducive to exothermic adsorption process of pollutants to substrates. Properly increasing the HLRs may improve the availability of ISCWs according to the requirement of effluent quality. Furthermore, the C/N ratio might be the key factor for the purification effect of ISCWs, because the COD level of WWTP discharge may change the process of NH4+-N biotransformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efforts to encourage sustainable development have brought to attention the use of secondary materials in civil engineering applications. Global experimental data suggest that municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration bottom ash (IBA) can potentially replace natural aggregates in field applications. However, IBA is currently disposed in open dumps or sanitary landfills in India. Assessing contaminant leaching from IBA is crucial to ascertain its options for disposal or reuse. The current study analyzes the mineralogy, chemical constituents, organic content, and leaching of contaminants from IBA collected from two incineration plants in Delhi. The study takes into consideration the effect of particle size, liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio, and pH on contaminant leaching. The experimental results revealed that the leaching concentration of contaminants and organic content of IBA decreases with an increase in particle size. A considerable influence of pH was noted on the leaching of all contaminants except chlorides, sulfates, and antimony. The results further indicate that IBA is suitable for disposal in non-hazardous waste landfills regardless of particle size at its intrinsic pH. However, it is recommended to dispose IBA in monofils as co-disposal with MSW in sanitary landfills can cause the pH of IBA to shift toward the acidic range, which may exacerbate the contaminant leaching from IBA. The comparison of leaching test results with international regulatory standards for reuse demonstrates that using IBA in unbound applications is feasible in paved roads and earthworks subjected to minimal infiltration of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]