Wastewater
Articles tagged with Wastewater
Biomonitoring the Anthropocene: NY's East River becomes a living biosensor
A year-long study of NYC's East River used environmental DNA to reveal insights into urban wildlife activity, human food consumption and ecosystem health. The findings suggest that urban waterways can become continuous biosensors tracking biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
Opioids and other drugs accumulating in freshwater fish
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
Waikīkī faces escalating threat of sewage-contaminated flooding as sea level rises
A new study reveals that Waikiki is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise, transitioning from rainfall-driven floods to tidal process-dominated events. The team identified two key pathways, storm drain backflow and groundwater emergence, which will increase public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters.
Our pee is underutilized: Human urine could help tackle global fertilizer and wastewater challenges, study finds
Researchers discovered that human urine contains essential nutrients for plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The team developed a low-energy process to concentrate urine into a fertiliser-rich stream, reducing the burden on treatment plants.
What a releaf: Tomatoes, carrots and lettuce store pharmaceutical byproducts in their leaves
Research from Johns Hopkins University found that tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce accumulate pharmaceutical byproducts in their leaves, which may be a concern for consumers eating the fruit and roots of these vegetables
Many nations underestimate greenhouse emissions from wastewater systems, but the lapse is fixable
Research from Princeton University reveals that nations globally underreport greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater facilities by up to 27%. Accurate estimates are crucial for sound public reporting and practical decision-making in the wastewater sector. The study finds that wastewater systems offer strong options for emissions reduc...
Renewable biological catalyst carries the potential to transform wastewater into phosphorus resource
Researchers developed a process to convert phytate into bioavailable phosphate using a biocatalyst, improving phosphorus recycling efficiency. The method uses engineered yeast cells displaying the enzyme phytase, which can efficiently and stably convert organic phosphorus into usable phosphate.
POST-PURPLE launches to advance zero-waste urban biorefineries
POST-PURPLE aims to convert urban wastewater and organic waste into valuable resources through innovative bio-based technologies. The project will demonstrate practical pathways toward cleaner, more circular urban biorefineries and reduce diffuse emissions.
HKUST research reveals cost-effective food waste treatment through sewage systems
A HKUST research team developed an innovative urban food waste management framework analyzing food waste data from 29 large cities worldwide. The study shows that grinding food waste and diverting it into sewage systems can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47% and lower total waste-management costs by 11%.
Shrinking shellfish? FAU study uncovers acidic water risks in Indian River lagoon
A new FAU study uncovers the impact of acidic water on shell-building marine organisms, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate coastal acidification. The research found that nutrient pollution, freshwater input, and other environmental factors contribute to reduced aragonite saturation.
3D covalent organic framework offers sustainable solution for wastewater treatment
Researchers from Tohoku University developed a 3D covalent organic framework (COF) that enables efficient and selective removal of anionic dyes from contaminated water. The COF, TU-123, demonstrates high adsorption capacity and removal efficiency, making it a promising solution for advanced wastewater purification technologies.
Wastewater surveillance reveals true scale of COVID-19 spread as clinical testing declines
A study in Japan found that wastewater surveillance can uncover the true scale of COVID-19 spread by detecting high viral loads in sewage despite reduced clinical testing. This approach offers an objective view of community-wide infection levels, unaffected by changes in testing policies or public behavior.
New review highlights electrochemical pathways to recover uranium from wastewater and seawater
Researchers systematically analyze recent advances in electrochemical strategies designed to extract uranyl from complex aqueous environments. Electro-adsorption, electrocatalysis, and photo-electrocatalysis approaches offer a potentially energy-efficient alternative to traditional chemical separation methods.
Urban sprawl could deny 220 million people access to clean water by 2050
A study analyzing over 100 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America found that compact urban planning is crucial for delivering water and sanitation to growing populations. The research suggests that if cities spread outward rather than building more densely, access to clean water and basic sanitation could be significantly impacted.
Researchers discover latent antimicrobial resistance across the world
Researchers analyzed 1,240 wastewater samples from 351 cities worldwide and discovered latent antimicrobial resistance genes. The study highlights the need for broader surveillance of resistance in wastewater to curb future pandemics.
Wastewater from most countries favours non-resistant bacteria
A study published in Nature Communications found that while some municipal wastewater samples select for antibiotic-resistant E. coli, most instead suppress their growth, suggesting wastewater treatment plants may not be breeding grounds for resistance as commonly thought.
Scientists develop low-cost sensor to safeguard water from fireworks pollution
A new, affordable sensor detects toxic perchlorate in water with rapid accuracy, offering a solution for better environmental monitoring and public health. The sensor's design combines precision molecular engineering with practical field applications to improve safety.
Drones reveal unexpectedly high emissions from wastewater treatment plants
A new study from Linköping University finds that wastewater treatment plants emit significantly more greenhouse gases than previously thought. Drones measured methane and nitrous oxide emissions at 12 Swedish treatment plants, revealing a significant discrepancy between estimated and actual emissions.
Understanding water-soluble polymers in wastewater
Lehigh University researchers are collaborating with Dow on a three-year NSF-funded project to understand the chemistry behind full degradation of these polymers. The goal is to develop strategies for selective mixing of microbial communities to target different parts of the polymer for complete breakdown.
Leaked tritium revealing the mechanism of radioactive cesium flow from Fukushima Daiichi to the ocean
Researchers found 'roof drainage' to be the main cause of radioactive cesium flow, with baseflow varying by air temperature. The study provides insights for improving monitoring systems and environmental management.
Granular beds with asymmetric wettability enhances migration and separation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants
Researchers developed granular beds with asymmetric wettability to treat refinery wastewater. The structure directs oil droplets to migrate efficiently, reducing blockages and energy consumption. The findings offer a reliable technical pathway for optimizing energy consumption and scaling up oily wastewater pretreatment processes.
Understanding the climate cost of cleaning our water
A study analyzing over 15,000 US treatment plants found that methane and nitrous oxide are the dominant greenhouse gases, exceeding current government estimates by 41%. The researchers identified opportunities for low-hanging-fruit reductions in emissions through fixing leaks and developing new technologies.
Protecting public health: Rice’s Stadler honored by The Water Research Foundation
Lauren Stadler, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, has been awarded a $100,000 research prize to develop real-time biosensors that can detect pathogens, health biomarkers, and chemicals in wastewater. Her goal is to create a decentralized, continuous monitoring system that enables near-instan...
Pulp mill waste becomes green solution to remove toxic dyes
University of Arkansas researchers have found a new way to clean wastewater of toxic and carcinogenic dyes commonly used in the garment industry. They developed an environmentally friendly solution using lignin, a low-cost biopolymer derived from plant cell walls.
Study detects multidrug-resistant KPC-producing bacteria in Chilean wastewater for the first time
A study has identified KPC-type carbapenemase-producing bacteria in Chilean wastewater, raising concerns about environmental circulation of microorganisms with high antibiotic resistance levels. The finding emphasizes the need for surveillance within the framework of
Liquid gold: Prototype harvests valuable resource from urine
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.
Imperfect underground processes help filter wastewater in Florida Keys
Researchers at Penn State found that shallowly injected wastewater into groundwater does not completely clear potentially harmful contaminants like nitrogen and phosphate. The team suggests modifying the effluent's chemical makeup to increase salinity and density to improve filtration time.
Sustainable wastewater surveillance methodologies in the post-COVID-19 era
A new CRISPR-based system enables rapid on-site pathogen detection in wastewater, reducing costs by 50% compared to traditional methods. This innovation paves the way for sustainable epidemic surveillance in resource-limited regions.
Economic evaluation of wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 testing in long-term care settings
A study evaluates a city-level warning system based on wastewater data to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early. The proposed system offers broader coverage, earlier outbreak detection, and lower costs compared to clinical surveillance.
How AI can enhance early detection of emerging viruses: UNLV study
A new UNLV-led study uses AI to detect emerging virus variants in wastewater samples, outperforming existing methods. The algorithm can identify unique signatures for different virus variants with as few as two to five samples, significantly earlier than current methods.
Rain events could cause major failure of Waikīkī storm drainage by 2050
A study published in Scientific Reports found that large rain events combined with sea level rise could cause severe flooding across 70% of Waikīkī, contaminating stormwater inlets and disrupting transportation. By 2050, the entire Waikīkī storm drainage system is expected to fail, posing a health hazard from contaminated water.
University of Minnesota study finds COVID-19 wastewater surveillance accurately predicts community infections
A University of Minnesota research team has found that measuring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater continues to accurately predict subsequent COVID-19 case counts in a community. The study demonstrates the continued importance of wastewater surveillance for public health planning and informing real-time decision-making frameworks.
New hydrogel treatments turn water waste to fertilizer
Researchers have developed innovative composite nanotechnology that removes excess nutrients from wastewater, converting them into agricultural fertilizers. The technology reduces ammonia and phosphate concentrations by up to 60% and 91%, respectively, effectively preventing harmful algal blooms and associated toxins.
Study reveals impact of sewage overflows on Chicago river ecosystem
A new study reveals that untreated wastewater released into the Chicago River during extreme rain events significantly alters the freshwater ecosystem. Zooplankton populations disappeared or increased dramatically, affecting the entire food web and potentially infusing harmful chemicals into the water.
Mitigating laughing gas emissions from wastewater
A recent study has identified a key factor contributing to nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment plants: an imbalance between bacteria groups and oxygen levels. By increasing oxygen concentrations, the researchers suggest that emissions can be significantly reduced without requiring major infrastructural changes.
Rice University professor Menachem Elimelech receives Sidney Loeb Award for groundbreaking work in water purification
Menachem Elimelech, a renowned leader in desalination and water purification, received the Sidney Loeb Award for his pioneering contributions to membrane-based water treatment technologies. His research focuses on developing advanced membranes and energy-efficient processes for desalination and wastewater reuse.
Dangerous synthetic opioids and animal sedatives found in wastewater
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive method to detect nitazenes – highly potent synthetic opioids – and xylazine, an animal sedative not approved for human use, in Australian wastewater. The method achieved up to 1000-fold enrichment and detected trace levels of these substances, posing significant risks of overdose.
Success of agile COVID-19 pan-Canadian research network highlights how to tackle future pandemics
The CoVaRR-Net network successfully bridged critical research and public health gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches like wastewater surveillance. Its achievements include 139 peer-reviewed publications, evidence-based public health decisions, and a global leader in ear...
Harmful microplastics infiltrating drinking water
Researchers from UT Arlington discovered that many wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove dangerous microplastics, which can transport other pollutants into the environment. This poses potential long-term health impacts for humans, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Lehigh University water scientist Arup K. SenGupta honored with ASCE Freese Award and Lecture
Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned water scientist at Lehigh University, has been honored with the ASCE Freese Award and Lecture for his pioneering work in ion exchange science and technology. He will present on 'Development and Global Application of Hybrid Ion Exchange Processes' during the 2025 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress.
UK’s first water monitoring center launched to act as early-warning system for disease outbreaks and community health
The UK's first water monitoring center is launched to detect disease outbreaks and community health issues. Researchers will analyze wastewater samples from four urban areas, tracking chemicals and biological markers to identify early warning signs of infectious diseases and chronic health conditions.
The devastating human impact on biodiversity
A study by Eawag and the University of Zurich found that human impacts on biodiversity are widespread and severe, with average species declines of 20% across all biogeographic regions. The composition of species communities is also shifting, with environmental pollution and habitat changes having a particularly negative impact.
WPI researcher receives DOE award to study uranium recovery from wastewater
The grant aims to develop an electrochemical system capable of recovering uranium from wastewater, improving ecosystem health and addressing uranium security. The project will focus on designing electrode materials for efficient uranium extraction and minimizing toxic waste.
New Microbiology Society policy briefing on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in wastewater
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in wastewater poses a significant threat to human health due to the spread of drug-resistant pathogens. The Microbiology Society's new policy briefing outlines key interventions to tackle AMR in wastewater, including monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and treatment technologies.
Researchers develop enhanced method for wastewater surveillance of antibiotic resistance
A new method for detecting antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater has been developed by researchers, which uses CRISPR-Cas9 technology to enrich ARG fragments and increase detection sensitivity. This enhanced method was found to detect 1189 more ARGs and 61 more ARG families compared to standard metagenomics methods.
Aston University microbiologist calls for public vigilance and urgent action on the danger of raw sewage in UK seas
Dr. Jonathan Cox warns of the dangers of raw sewage in UK coastal waters, highlighting the risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections to vulnerable groups. He advocates for checking water quality before visiting beaches and praises efforts like the Safer Seas and Rivers Service to combat pollution.
New study calls for ethical framework to protect Indigenous genetic privacy in wastewater monitoring
Researchers outline critical safeguards needed to balance public health benefits with Indigenous data sovereignty rights. The study highlights the risks of DNA persistence in wastewater samples, which can reveal sensitive information about community health.
Closing the recycle loop: Waste-derived nutrients in liquid fertilizer
Researchers developed a liquid fertilizer replacing unsustainable chemical fertilizers with organic waste, producing up to 100% of nitrogen and 77% of phosphorus. The method also increases phosphorus solubility by adjusting pH levels.
Anti-smoking program adds wastewater-based epidemiology to track nicotine use in communities
Researchers at University of California, Merced are using wastewater-based epidemiology to track nicotine use in San Joaquin Valley communities. The project aims to determine trends and levels of nicotine use through chemicals in wastewater, providing valuable insights for public health agencies and tobacco-control researchers.
Examining the potential environmental effects of mining the world’s largest lithium deposit
A study analyzing lithium brine and waste materials found extremely high arsenic levels, potentially threatening local wildlife. The researchers also discovered increasing acidity and boron levels in evaporation pond brine, highlighting the need for sustainable management strategies.
Urgent action needed to keep Europe polio-free, warn heads of ECDC and WHO Europe
A high number of poliovirus detections in European countries has highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage. The virus can be imported into Europe as long as it circulates globally, posing a risk to unvaccinated populations.
Revolutionary biofilter offers breakthrough solution for emerging contaminants in wastewater
Researchers unveiled an innovative system that outperforms conventional filtration methods by combining microbial electrochemical technologies with enhanced biodegradation processes. The biofilter demonstrates significant removal of pharmaceuticals and herbicides, altering their chirality to influence toxicity and biodegradability.
Rice researchers find dialysis ‘astonishingly effective’ for treating wastewater
Researchers have found dialysis to be 'astonishingly effective' in separating salts from organic substances in wastewater, reducing environmental impacts and costs. The method mimics medical dialysis technology, eliminating the need for repeated dilutions and fouling, and enabling resource recovery.
Proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay likely to remain in bay for at least one month, study finds
Scientists predict the proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay will stay in the bay for at least a month, with seasonal winds affecting its spread. The study used high-resolution ocean circulation models to simulate the plume's behavior and found that the majority of the water will come close to the shore before leaving the bay.
New research provides an improved understanding of earthquake hazards in the Permian Basin
A new study provides a comprehensive breakdown of how water injected into the Permian Basin changes subsurface pressures and causes earthquakes. The research offers insights that oil and gas operators and regulators can use to reduce seismicity and associated hazards.
Rainwater is insufficient to replenish the Guarani Aquifer owing to overuse and drought, study warns
The Guarani Aquifer, the world's largest cross-border groundwater reservoir, is being overused in São Paulo state, Brazil. The study found that rainwater is insufficient to replenish the aquifer due to increased water withdrawals for human activities.
Innovative aerogel transforms tannery waste into leather industry resource
A team of scientists has developed an aerogel made from chitosan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose that addresses the dual challenge of tannery wastewater treatment and resource utilization. The aerogel demonstrates exceptional adsorption capacities for Cr(III), Al(III), and Zr(IV) ions, commonly found in tannery effluents.
Two microbe strains can effectively degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, offering potential to treat oily wastewater - such as marine oil spills - and reduce its toxicity
Researchers identified two microbe strains capable of degrading petroleum hydrocarbons, holding promise for treating contaminated marine oil spills. These microorganisms also exhibit potential to reduce the toxicity of oily wastewater, offering a sustainable solution for environmental remediation.
Plugged wells and reduced injection lower induced earthquake rates in Oklahoma
A new study finds that reducing the depth of wastewater injection can decrease seismic activity, lending further support to this approach. The research suggests that regulatory efforts to backfill some injection wells with cement and reduce volumes have been effective in lowering Oklahoma's induced earthquake rate.