Name

Innovative nature-based solutions for sustainable wastewater reuse

Speakers

Nooshin Barzegar Marvasti

Authors

Nooshin Barzegar Marvasti, Lestyn Stead, Karl DD Dearn and Luisa Orsini, University of Birmingham and Daphne Water Solution, UK
Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, William Stubbings, University of Birmingham, UK
Rhys Coldrick, Daphne Water Solutions, UK
Ben Herbert and Chris Betteridge, Stopford Ltd – Technology and Innovation Service Group, UK

Description

The Earth's limited freshwater resources are under increasing pressure due to population growth, industrialisation, and climate change. This crisis contributes to food insecurity, health risks, mass migrations, and threats to global stability. Wastewater reuse is crucial for sustainable water management; however, the presence of persistent chemicals and their inefficient removal with conventional treatments limit safe water reuse. Advanced treatments, though effective, are energy-intensive, costly, and generate harmful by-products. We have developed and implemented an innovative nature-based solution using Daphnia (waterfleas) as a bio-tertiary treatment to filter and bioaccumulate persistent pollutants, effectively removing them from secondary treated wastewater. Results from a 12-month onsite trial, with an open flow prototype holding 3m3 of secondary effluent water, demonstrate removal of about 30 persistent mobile chemicals including pharmaceuticals (e.g. diclofenac), hormones (e.g. b-oestradiol), industrial chemicals (e.g. PFOS) and microplastics (<63μm). This eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective approach offers unique advantages over conventional nature-based treatment technologies, including shorter retention times and seamless integration into existing infrastructure without requiring extensive land use. Further research is ongoing to optimize performance at a commercial scale, ensuring long-term viability for wastewater reuse.

Time

-

Location Name

Ludlow Concourse

Track

Posters