Clean water and sanitation
These technologies address key aspects of SDG 6 by improving access to clean water, enhancing water quality and promoting the efficient use of water resources. Water treatment technologies - including advanced methods like reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and ultrafiltration - play a vital role in removing contaminants from water, making it safe for human use and preventing diseases. If they are powered by renewable energy, it can further contribute to sustainable water management by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and minimising environmental impact.
- Potable water harvesting
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The concepts covered in this section deal with the collection of drinking water from a variety of sources, particularly humidity, open bodies of water, rainwater, snow and ice, wells.
Obtaining drinking water from air humidity
Systems for obtaining water from air humidity, making the obtained water drinkable.
Water intake systems
Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water from surface water like rivers, ponds, lakes, and the like.
Obtaining drinking water from seawater: Desalination
Desalination processes are used for removing salts, primarily sodium chloride, from seawater. The processes are mainly based on the use of membranes or thermal separation.
Using membranes
Semipermeable membranes, which allow water to pass through the membrane whilst retaining salts and other contaminants, are commonly used for the desalination of seawater. A pressure difference or concentration gradient is typically used as driving force.
Reverse osmosis
Pressure is applied at the side of the semipermeable membrane receiving the seawater to create a flow of pure water through the membrane.
Forward osmosis
Instead of applying pressure forward osmosis processes employ a highly concentrated draw solution to create the flow of water through the membrane.
Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration is similar to reverse osmosis but applies lower pressures and does not achieve complete desalination.
Other
Membrane distillation or pervaporation use heat as a driving force.
Thermal desalination
Pure water is produced by evaporation of the seawater and subsequent condensation.
Using solar energy
Sunlight is employed as heat source for the evaporation.
Using waste heat
Waste heat from industrial processes or other sources is used for evaporating seawater.
Other thermal treatment
All other evaporation and condensation processes.
Electrochemical treatment
An electric potential is created between electrodes and used as a driving force to transfer ions through ion-exchange membranes or onto the surface of the electrodes.
Capacitive deionisation
An electrical potential difference is applied over a plurality of electrodes, which are usually made of a highly porous material and serve to adsorb ions from the water to be purified.
Electrodeionisation and electrodialysis
Electrodialysis and electrodeionisation devices use stacks of cells comprising electrodes between which ion-exchange membranes are located, creating compartments for producing ion-diluted and ion-concentrated streams.
Other
All other electrochemical processes used for desalination.
Other desalination treatment
Processes not mentioned above and including freeze desalination and sorption.
Obtaining drinking water using grey water and blackwater
Purification of water from showers, sinks and toilets for reuse.
Purification of water from rivers or lakes
Processes for removing pollutants and microorganisms from rivers and lakes.
Membrane filtration
Semipermeable membranes, which allow water to pass through the membrane whilst retaining salts and other contaminants, are used for removing pollutants and microorganisms. A pressure difference is employed as driving force.
Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration
Semipermeable membranes comprising pores in the (sub-) nanometer range suitable for removing salts and organic substances.
Ultrafiltration and microfiltration
Semipermeable membranes comprising micro- or nanometre-size pores for removing microorganisms, small particles and larger organic substances.
Oxidation
Oxidation processes for breaking down pollutants or disinfection purposes.
Using ozone
Use of ozone (O3) as oxidant.
Using hydrogene peroxide
Use of hydrogene peroxide (H2O2) as oxidant.
Ultraviolet radiation
Irradiation with ultraviolet light, having a wavelength of approximately 100 to 400 nm.
Advanced oxidation processes (AOP)
Combination of ultraviolet irradiation, ozone, hydrogen peroxide or other oxidants to generate highly reactive radicals.
Other
Other oxidation processes.
Sorption using activated carbon
Removal of pollutants by sorption, with activated carbon and similar carbon based sorbents.
Rainwater harvesting
Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water from rainwater.
Obtaining drinking water from snow or ice
Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water from snow or ice.
Maintaining condition of wells
Keeping wells in good condition, e.g. by cleaning, repairing, regenerating, as well as maintaining or enlarging the capacity of wells or water-bearing layers.
Water wells
Methods or installations for obtaining and confining drinking water by means of wells.
- Wastewater and sludge treatment
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This technology field includes the areas of biological wastewater treatment, centralised, decentralised and/or in batch technology. Within it, an important area of biological wastewater treatment is the advanced removal of phosphorus and nitrogen. It also includes utilisation/valorisation of the biogas produced and the biological, mechanical and/or thermal treatment of the sludge produced.
Further, it refers to tertiary wastewater treatment, which includes disinfection and removal of endocrine disrupters, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other pollutants.
Biological wastewater treatment
This field includes biological wastewater treatment, which can be centralised, decentralised or operated in batch processes. A critical area within biological wastewater treatment is the advanced removal of phosphorus and nitrogen, essential for preventing eutrophication and maintaining water quality. Additionally, the field involves the utilisation and valorisation of biogas produced during the treatment process, converting it into energy or other valuable products.
Compact devices for decentralised treatment
Compact devices are small wastewater treatment plants such as upgraded septic tanks and other compact devices for use in small communities, hotels or single houses.
Membrane bioreactors
Membrane bioreactors are systems for aerobic and anaerobic treatment of water, whereby the membrane module may be submerged in the activated sludge suspension (treatment tank).
Sequencing batch reactors
Sequencing batch reactors are biological treatment reactors for carrying out several treatment steps batchwise in a single tank (fill, react, settle, decant).
Advanced nitrogen and phosphorous removal (nitrification, denitrification, anammox)
Advanced nitrogen and phosphorous removal processes are biological processes removing nitrogen, phosphorous or both by aerobic, anaerobic or anoxic processes or combinations thereof.
Production and valorisation of biogas
Anaerobic wastewater treatment processes produce biogas that can be captured and used for other goals.
Sludge treatment
The treatment of sludge, which is a byproduct of wastewater treatment, involves biological, mechanical and thermal methods to reduce its volume and potential environmental impact, either by making the sludge suitable for disposal, or by making valuable products from it.
Biological treatment (composting, digesting and fermentation)
Biological treatment includes all aerobic and anaerobic biological sludge treatment processes.
Dewatering and drying
Dewatering and drying includes all processes removing of water from sludge produced during biological wastewater treatment.
Thermal treatment
Thermal treatment includes all processes using heat to transform wastewater sludge (thermal drying, pyrolysis, wet air oxidation, thermal conditioning, pasteurisation and hydrothermal carbonisation).
Valorisation
Valorisation processes are processes in which useful products are obtained from wastewater sludge (fertilisers, concrete additives, etc.).
Tertiary (advanced) wastewater treatment
Tertiary wastewater treatment focuses on disinfection and the removal of contaminants of emerging concern, such as endocrine disruptors, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and pharmaceuticals, ensuring that the treated water is safe for discharge or reuse.
Disinfection through ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet water treatment processes use light having a wavelength of approximately 100-400nm.
Filtration processes
In water filtration processes substances are physically removed from water
Membrane filtration by reverse osmosis
When applying reverse osmosis, water is forced by applying external pressure to pass a semi-permeable membrane having pores of about 1 nanometer
Membrane filtration by nanofiltration
In nanofiltration processes water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane having pores of about 1-10 nanometre.
Membrane filtration by microfiltration
In microfiltration processes water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane having pores of about 0.1 -10 micrometre.
Membrane filtration by large scale filtration
Large scale filtration implies the passing of large quantities of industrially produced wastewater through a grid to remove solid substances. Large scale filtration is usually a first treatment step in a multistep treatment.
Others
All other types of filtering
Removal of micropollutants
Micropollutants are persistent organic pollutants present in small quantities. These components include amongst others detergents, endocrine disruptive agents, pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and organohalogens such as PFAS.
Oxidation processes
Oxidation processes are processes that chemically break down the micropollutant into one or more harmless products in the present of a strong oxidant such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide.
Using sorption
Sorption processes are processes where the micropollutant is captured on a generally solid sorbent. The micropollutant can be captured in different ways, e.g. by chemisorption or by complexation.
- Efficient water treatment
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“Efficient water treatment” relates to the use of renewable energy sources as power supply for water treatment processes, to energy-efficient processes for water treatment, or to the optimisation of water treatment processes using advanced control strategies and data analysis.
This includes for example the use of photovoltaic modules or wind turbines as autonomous power supply for mobile water treatment installations. Such mobile water treatment installations could be used for purifying wastewater or for producing potable water from seawater and would typically be mounted on a trailer, vessel or barge.
Energy recovery refers to applications where energy employed for treating water is recovered, such as pressure recovery devices in reverse osmosis.
The optimisation of water treatment processes using advanced control strategies and data analysis is also covered, and includes the use of artificial intelligence, neural networks, etc. for more efficiently automatizing and controlling water treatment processes.
Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency
Use of renewable energy sources as power supply for water treatment, in particular for mobile applications, such as portable devices.
Use of solar energy; photovoltaics
Solar energy is employed to produce electricity, for example with photovoltaic panels.
Use of wind energy
Wind energy is employed to generate electricity, for example with wind turbines.
Use of wave energy
Wave energy generators for producing electricity.
Hydroelectric energy
Hydroelectric power supply, such as turbines.
Energy recovery
Recovering energy from water treatment processes.
Technology related to automatization and control
Control processes specific to water treatment.
Artificial intelligence, neural networks, algorithms, internet of things
Use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, special algorithms for controlling water treatment processes.
Conventional control and automation technology
All other control technologies employed to automatize water treatment processes.
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Other technologies
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This technology field encompasses methods and equipment designed to prevent and clean up oil spills and microplastics, ensuring the protection of aquatic environments.
Prevention or mitigation of surface water contamination
Natural waters such as rivers, lakes, seas and oceans are vulnerable. Protecting them can be done either by preventing unwanted substances to enter the water body or the remove unwanted substances from the water body.
Prevention and removal of oil spills
Oils spills do not include only spills from oil but spills from all fatty or oily substances or similar floating materials. They can be removed using a wide variety of devices (e.g. grease traps, oil water separators, oil skimmers).
Prevention and removal of microplastics
Microplastics are plastic particles of less than 5mm. They originate from a variety of sources including cosmetics, clothing and food packaging.
Prevention of algae growth
Avoiding the excessive growth of algae is crucial to keep an ecosystem in optimal shape. When present in too high concentrations, algae block sunlight from reaching other organisms, cause depletion of oxygen level in the water and may injure biological life by excreting toxins.
Ballast water treatment
Treatment of ballast water or bilge water originating from marine vessel, ships, and boats. The treatment is particularly applied to avoid the spreading of invasive exotic species.
- Water conservation; Efficient water supply and use
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This includes water-saving solutions in water use, such as efficient irrigation methods and devices, as well as smart solutions for controlled irrigation in agriculture and in small and municipal structures.
It also includes water-saving measures in everyday use, i.e. sanitary water use.
However, protection of water resources is also considered, e.g. protection of rivers, installation of saltwater barriers and protection of water reservoirs through leakage reduction and detection.
Efficient irrigation / watering
Covering controlled irrigation for agriculture and municipal use.
Watering arrangements - cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses
Irrigation in closed cultivation structures in contrast to open fields.
Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like - limited to drip, sprinkler, or spray irrigation
Watering arrangements in built-up environments…
Control of watering – open-field irrigation
Controlled irrigation in agricultural settings, i.e. fields.
Leakage reduction or detection
Leak reduction or detection is extended to pipeline components wherein bursting of pipes by freezing is prevented; to tank arrangements for water supply; to hydrants; and to supply pipe systems.
Protecting water resources
Before having to protect from or mitigate water pollution, it is essential to invest in the protection of aquatic environments at the source. The following queries explore ways to accomplish this.
River restoration
Protection and restoration of rivers and riverbanks.
Saltwater intrusion barriers
Processes and systems aimed at monitoring and preventing intrusion of salt (sea) water into fresh water.
Aquifer recharge
Groundwater or undergound water is artificially enriched by adding water thereto.
Measures against unauthorised use of potable water resources
Hydrants and pumping plants in wells including means for protecting against e.g. vandalism or sabotage.
Water saving techniques at user level
Not only the water providers need to innovate, water saving starts at the level of the individual user. Here, the platform queries provide insight into what technologies for water saving exist at the end of those who use water – every consumer.
Recirculation of potable water having left the tap
Potable water which has left the tap but still has the potable water quality is reused or recirculated.
Recirculation of potable water before leaving the tap
Potable water is circulated (in a safe environment) before it leaved the tap in order not to waste warm water “not warm enough” before the warm water reaches the correct warm water temperature.
Water-saving in faucets
Faucets are provided with an aerator in order to feed air into flow of water which reduces the water volume used as such. Also means for reducing water pressure, flow reducers and anti-dripping devices are included.
Water-saving in toilet cisterns
Likewise, water can be efficiently saved where we hardly notice it – in toilets.
Dual flush valves in toilet cistern
Users can save water by utilising flush valves allowing flushing of two or more different volumes of water.
“Ultra-low” flushing
Even more flush water can be saved by using special flushing systems using up to 4L flush water, sometimes referred to as ultra-low flushing.
Using greywater
Similarly, lightly polluted water from household use can be reused for purposes other than drinking, as it is of lower purity, but still perfectly usable.
Using household water from wash basins and showers
Systems reusing and/or recirculating greywater originating from household appliances.
Using rainwater
Systems reusing and/or recirculating greywater originating from rainwater.
Greywater used for flushing toilets
Systems using greywater, originating from household or rainwater, for flushing toilets.
Other aspects, e.g. heating
Systems recovering energy from (still warm) greywater, e.g. from shower water.