{"id":117261,"date":"2023-06-15T10:00:25","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=117261"},"modified":"2023-06-12T11:33:03","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T15:33:03","slug":"wastewater-can-now-be-treated-by-a-new-bioelectrochemical-technique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wastewater-can-now-be-treated-by-a-new-bioelectrochemical-technique\/","title":{"rendered":"Wastewater Can Now be Treated by a New Bioelectrochemical Technique"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Samhar Almomani, Publishing Associate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Researcher and Writer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Save the Water\u2122 | June 15, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wastewater can now be treated using bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) . Industries that produce pharmaceuticals and petroleum products consume a lot of water. In turn, these industries produce a lot of wastewater. For example, wastewater from petroleum industries contains harmful pollutants:\u00a0 hydrocarbons; and other compounds, such as dissolved solids and sulfur.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These compounds pose potential environmental dangers. As a result, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/moving-bed-biofilm-reactormbbr-used-in-wastewater-treatment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0eliminating them is a priorit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">y.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainablebrands.com\/read\/cleantech\/in-our-water-and-climate-stressed-world-there-s-no-excuse-for-wastewater-going-to-waste\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Around the world, 80% of wastewater\u00a0 is discharged into local environments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, usually with little to no treatment. However, if treated, people could reuse this water.. For example , <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquacycl.com\/company\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California-based company Aquacycl has a goal of<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201ccreating distributed wastewater treatment to address water scarcity and lack of infrastrcuture in low-income countries.\u201d This technology can be a gamechanger for wastewater treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">What is Wastewater?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to industrial processes, w<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/water.unl.edu\/article\/wastewater\/wastewater-what-it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">astewater can also come from day-to-day living processes, such as flushing the toilet and doing laundry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Depending on the source of wastewater, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalwatergroup.com.au\/our-blog\/difference-between-blackwater-and-greywater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it is categorized as either gray water or black water<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The former has several sources:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">showers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tubs\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">baths\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">washing machines and dishwashers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By contrast, the latter has other sources: toilets and kitchen sinks. People may know wastewater by t<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wwdmag.com\/wastewater-treatment\/wastewater-treatment\/article\/10938418\/what-is-wastewater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he term \u201csewage.\u201d <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/special-topics\/water-science-school\/science\/wastewater-treatment-water-use#overview\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governments and industries usually work on treating wastewater<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because it affects fisheries, wildlife habitats, recreation,\u00a0 quality of life, and human health. In many communities, the majority of homes and businesses <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/nutrientpollution\/sources-and-solutions-wastewater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will send their wastewater to a treatment plant that works to\u00a0 remove pollutants from water<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For instance, every day, approximately\u00a0 treatment plants in the United States process approximately 34 billion gallons of wastewater. Depending on the treatment plant\u2019s technology, it may be able to better eliminate nitrogen, phosphorus, or a number of other contaminants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Why Should We Care About Wastewater?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of wastewater is just water. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthywa.wa.gov.au\/Articles\/F_I\/Household-wastewater-and-health-risks#:~:text=If%20you%20come%20into%20contact,stomach%20cramps%2C%20diarrhoea%20or%20vomiting)\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, around 0.3% of wastewater contain various organisms, such as bacteria and parasitic organisms, that can cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When coming into contact with wastewater, a person could be exposed to microorganisms that can lead to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gastroenteritis, which has symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dangerous viral infections, such as hepatitis (liver infections)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infections of the skin and eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis (stomach cramps, diarrhea or vomiting)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On top of that, wastewater <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/washing-clothes-may-release-hundreds-thousands-microfibers-wastewater\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">harms our environmental health as well<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conserve-energy-future.com\/effects-wastewater-environment.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The danger of dumping wastewater into other water bodies means that we are polluting potential, future water sources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/waste-and-its-impact-on-water\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contamination by sewage and toxic chemicals harms the natural ecosystems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.organicawater.com\/effects-wastewater-environment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the different types of water bodies are intertwined<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Researchers admit that we may not even realize the full implications of wastewater on the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">How Aquacycl\u2019s Technology Helps<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrochemical<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">principles and microbial activity are the two main elements of this new treatment technology.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chemengonline.com\/bioelectrochemical-treatment\/?printmode=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Aquacycl used these principles to develop Bioelectrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by involving \u201cmicrobial fuel-cells\u201d that work on producing direct electricity when they convert the different contaminants in the wastewater to CO<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquacycl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Aquacycl-Product-Brochure.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The basic technology involves using naturally existing bacteria to convert the organic waste into electrical energy without risking any methane production<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The electricity that is harvested can then be used to power other processes that require electrical energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company\u2019s technology will make a huge difference for industries that require extensive wastewater treatment for two reasons.\u00a0 First, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/aquacycl-signs-long-term-service-contract-for-wastewater-treatment-as-a-service-at-major-food--beverage-company-301434998.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0bioelectrochemical treatment technology provides a way to achieve energy neutral wastewater treatment. Second, it simplifies the\u00a0 treatment process, which is known to be complex. <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many companies are becoming aware of how influential this technology can be, and Aquacycl has begun signing long-term deals with many large companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One downside is that the water technology is known to be risk-averse, which means that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90812005\/this-startup-uses-microbial-fuel-cells-to-clean-up-wastewater\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">much-needed changes take longer to develop<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Aquacycl, like other water technology companies, depend on support they receive from companies whose products release a lot of wastewater. With that being said, water technology is starting to develop faster and more sustainable innovations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Treating Wastewater in the Future<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We need more ways to treat\u00a0 wastewater. The technology developed by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gwp.org\/en\/waterchangemakers\/change-stories\/575385\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Aquacycl will play a big role in pushing the industry forward and ensuring that companies can better treat wastewater<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As other researchers start working on methods that make processing wastewater easier, treating wastewater for reuse may become quicker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Samhar Almomani, Publishing Associate: Researcher and Writer at Save the Water\u2122 | June 15, 2023 Wastewater&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12901,"featured_media":117262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,65],"tags":[509,547,575],"yst_prominent_words":[2334,1992,2450,1993,2031,612,1316,2456],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12901"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117261"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117267,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117261\/revisions\/117267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117261"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=117261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}