Sustainable Environment Research is calling for submissions to our Collection on Innovative management of the water/wastewater cycle for resource recovery and conservation.
Water is a key element of the global water-energy-food (WEF) Nexus, and is critical for life, environmental health, and global civilization sustainability. In view of significant water stress observed in many areas worldwide due to many factors (climate variability, increasing demand, mismanagement, etc.) the UN have defined wastewater as a yet untapped available water source: according to UNESCO, improved treatment and increase in reuse, as called for in Sustainable Development Goals Target 6.3 (Clean Water and Sanitation), would support the global transition to Circular Economy. Water is also the universal solvent, which carries during its cycle both harmful and valuable resources within, including energy, nutrients, minerals, chemical products, etc. These resources, high value-added minerals, rare elements, precious metals, and chemical raw materials are also embedded in wastewater treatment by-products, such as biological sludge, and in unconventional sources such as brines and industrial wastewaters. Reclaiming these through effective technical approaches, although challenging, could be feasible and potentially profitable. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are undergoing a paradigmatic change by which they would be designed and operated as water and resources recovery facilities (WRRFs) where, in addition to wastewater purification, valuable products would be extracted from sewage. To support this change, new process technologies for water, wastewater and biosolids are being developed, and paradigmatic changes in the design and operation of the urban water cycle are proposed, including novel collection systems, decentralization, water reuse strategies. This collection invites papers concerning all aspects of the water and wastewater cycle in civil and industrial settings (design, operation, innovative technologies) leading to the improved recovery of resources in the form of energy, materials and water itself. Both experimental and case studies will be considered.