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Wastewater could provide energy to 500 million people and more than 10 times the drinking water provided by the world's current desalination capacity, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) released on Wednesday, March 23.
Wastewater: Biodiversity Loss & Health Threat
The report recalls that wastewater pollution is one of the main factors in the loss of biodiversity and a great threat to health, which affects all the most vulnerable people and ecosystems, including marine and freshwater ones.
In addition, they generate almost as many greenhouse gas emissions—largely responsible for global warming and climate change—as the aviation industry.
Residual waters are those that have been used in domestic and urban environments, or in industries and livestock, as well as natural waters that, by accident or malpractice, have been mixed with the previous ones.
The UNEP report "Wastewater: turning the Problem into a solution" was presented to experts gathered for the "World Water Week 2023" in this capital.
The text recalls that, despite some progress in the last decade, untreated wastewater remains a major global challenge as well as a potential untapped resource for the circular economy.
Untapped Wastewater Reuse Potential Massive
Currently, only 11% of the total domestic and industrial wastewater produced is reused in any way, while the potential for reuse is estimated at 320 billion cubic meters per year, 10 times more than the current global desalination capacity.
Already in 2015, the volume of wastewater produced by anthropogenic action was estimated between 360,000 and 380,000 million cubic meters per year, five times the volume of water that passes through Niagara Falls annually.
UNEP estimates that this volume will grow to 470,000 or 497,000 million cubic meters by 2030, the year set as the threshold for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water and sanitation for all and sustainable cities and communities.
According to the authors of the report, "inspired critical thinking is necessary to transform the perception that wastewater is a problem of contamination at the end of the processes, and become a flourishing resource."
It is claimed that, for example, with the right policies, wastewater could provide energy for 500 million people, and offset more than 10% of global fertilizer use.
This is because wastewater is a rich source of organic matter and therefore is a carrier of chemical energy. The organic components that are present in the wastewater can be converted into methane-rich biogas through anaerobic digestion, and residues from the operation into new fertilizers.
Regarding the reuse of water for consumption, the report recalls that currently in the world one in four people lives without access to drinking water services or safely managed.
Water Scarcity: Displacement Risk Grows
In addition, a third of the 8 billion inhabitants of the planet live in regions with water scarcity, and it is predicted that the scarcity of the liquid could displace up to 700 million people by 2030.
Millions of women and girls spend hours each day searching for water, reducing their opportunities for productive activities or education.
In the midst of this dire situation, the demand for water continues to grow, as does the need to rapidly increase food production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for energy.
The document highlights the importance of implementing three crucial steps in order to address the global water crisis effectively. Firstly, politicians and decision-makers worldwide are urged to actively work towards decreasing the overall volume of wastewater generation.
Additionally, it emphasizes the critical need to prevent and diminish pollution in water bodies. Lastly, the document advocates for the adoption of sustainable practices to manage wastewater and facilitate the recovery and reuse of valuable resources.
To this end, it calls for efforts to establish effective and coherent legislation and governance, mobilize investment, improve technical and institutional human capacity, locally and globally, and innovate both in the technical and social fields.
Also, improve data collection, and foster awareness and responsibility, as all sectors of society contribute to wastewater pollution problems, and their input is required for a circular approach that includes recovery and reuse of the resources.
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