Treatment of wastewater, with an emerging focus on micropollutants
Used water can be contaminated, as seen particularly for homes and industries. This water is widely referred to as wastewater, although increasingly it is acknowledged as a resource rather than a waste. But it is wastewater in the sense that it must be treated before either being returned safely to the environment or used again.
The Dutch are acknowledged as leaders in the area of post-use water treatment. This includes the traditional focus on removal of contaminants such as COD, BOD, nutrients, and suspended solids. New technologies continue to be developed to tackle these contaminants more efficiently and in a wider range of circumstances. This can include reducing the need for the use of chemicals, and reducing the footprint or space required to achieve the level of treatment needed.
Other concerns are emerging as well, especially regarding the levels of micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals in the environment and potentially impacting the supply of drinking water. These concerns are driving the need for more advanced post-use treatment.