Articles tagged with Sanitary Engineering
A University of Houston engineering professor developed a mathematical model to help decision-makers decide where to spend limited dollars on infrastructure resilience. The model accounts for real-world uncertainty and identifies critical assets to invest in, providing the greatest benefit before disaster strikes.
New research shows that antibiotics can drive bacterial resistance even after they are broken down in wastewater treatment plants and discharged into rivers and seas. The study found that some metabolites form when antibiotics break down retain the ability to promote antibiotic resistance.
Researchers developed a dynamic optimization model to help NGOs in rural Africa optimize maintenance schedules, reducing downtime and logistics costs. The model achieved significant reductions in maintenance downtime, ranging from 47-62% in Ethiopia and 53% in Malawi.
Researchers have developed a new framework to detect possible damage in concealed cold-formed steel construction framing materials, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and artificial intelligence. The technology allows for rapid detection of damage, enabling inspectors to verify only flagged spots without removing walls or cladding.
App Applied Microbiology International will host a free webinar on 'Gender Equality and Water' to mark World Water Day 2026. The event aims to centred women and girls in water solutions, recognizing their voices, leadership and agency as critical enablers of gender equality.
A new strategy for estimating storm water in sewers uses a combination of methods, including long-term average flow rate and biological oxygen demand. This approach can improve accuracy by over 10% and provide more plausible estimates for benchmarking potential improvements to sewer systems.
Researchers explore how METs convert organic waste into electricity, fuels, fertilizers, and usable water. Pilot deployments demonstrate its potential to reclaim energy from 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater annually.
Emerging microbially-powered technologies can convert up to 35% of wastewater's chemical energy into electricity and extract valuable nutrients. This approach could power agriculture, global sanitation and its own treatment, while reducing pollution and overcoming regulatory obstacles.
A study published in the journal Children found that improving access to safe drinking water can reduce the odds of stunting by about 20%. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,500 children and found that clean water access had a stronger impact on child growth than sanitation.
Researchers from RMIT University have developed a new wastewater treatment system that targets all fat types, including hard-to-remove emulsified fats, and achieves up to 98% fat removal rates in commercial kitchen wastewater. The system combines a redesigned grease interceptor with smart chemical treatment.
A newly developed system recovers a valuable fertilizer from urine using solar energy, providing essential sanitation and reducing the need for expensive imported fertilizers. The prototype shows promise for powering irrigation in resource-limited regions and could be scaled to help farmers around the world.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology doctoral thesis presents a creative method to remove organic pollutants from wastewater using sunlight and small droplets of oil. The technology uses titanium dioxide nanoparticles to stabilize the oil droplets, which act as tiny chemical reactors to break down pollutants.
Researchers at University of South Australia develop a new material using water treatment sludge and blast-furnace slag, showing over 50% stronger compressive strength and resistance to acid degradation. The discovery has the potential to extend service life of sewage pipes, reduce maintenance costs, and promote circular economy.
Researchers found that soil contains antibiotic resistance genes that can be transmitted to humans, making it a pressing public health threat. The study reveals how these genes spread through the environment and highlights the importance of understanding soil ecosystems to control antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Drexel University model the potential extent of flooding and combined sewer overflows in Camden, New Jersey, as climate change exacerbates the problem. The team's 'all-pipes' model simulates stormwater flows through every surface and pipe in the area, providing a unique solution to mitigate environmental and health risks.
A recent study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers highlights the hidden threat of global underground infrastructure vulnerability to sea-level rise. Shallow and saltier groundwater exacerbates corrosion and failure of critical systems such as sewer lines, roadways, and building foundations in cities worldwide.
Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
A team of engineers and public health experts from USF helped decrease blood lead levels of 87% of children tested in Toamasina, Madagascar. The team replaced old car batteries with lead-free check valves in pumps, educating city technicians on the dangers of lead.
A recent study published in Science of the Total Environment found a scarcity of studies on microbial and chemical drinking water contamination in Appalachia and associated health outcomes. Only 85 publications met the criteria, with many gaps remaining to be filled.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have developed a low-cost technology using biochar to remove harmful compounds from reclaimed water, making it safe for agricultural reuse. The biochar-based polishing systems have shown promising results in removing antibiotics and resistant bacteria, potentially reducing the spr...
Researchers in California discovered that most trash items come from local sources, with nearly 60% of collected materials being plastic. The study suggests that cities can address the issue through bans on frequent litterers and increased street sweeping to prevent reoccurring litter.
Researchers at Nagoya City University developed a novel approach for surface disinfection using harmless visible light, inactivating bacteria and viruses. The study's findings suggest that photothermal effects caused by pulsed laser irradiation can instantly destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Drexel University aim to discover a simpler, less energy-intensive way to create ozone for water sanitation. The project seeks to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of ozonated water production.