Features in the December 2009 edition of Water21
Global Focus
Water and climate change: sustaining rivers
With the world's governments debating climate change in Copenhagen in December, what is needed to sustain the health of river ecosystems? Experts at the recent Skukuza workshop and 12th International Riversymposium held in Australia in September identified a range of practical measures, writes Jamie Pittock.
North America
Hypoxic hopes: signs of progress for the Gulf of Mexico
Each year, the world's second largest hypoxic zone develops in the Gulf of Mexico, severely impacting the hydrological environment. Jim Force looks at how recent initiatives regarding land use and water quality may help reduce nutrient levels entering the Gulf.
Treating wastewater in the 'world's worst weather'
Mount Washington in the US is home to extreme conditions of high winds and freezing temperatures. Mary Ellen Parkman describes the challenges of installing a replacement wastewater treatment system for the observatory on the mountain's summit.
Montreal's plans for a potable overhaul
While major improvements to water metering in the Canadian city of Montreal have run into controversy, there is a wider programme of work for a massive overhaul of the water supply infrastructure there, including upgrading the treatment provided at the city's water treatment plants. Lis Stedman reviews the plans.
Sewage treatment
Energy optimisation: improving sludge management sustainability
Advances in research have increased the potential for recovering renewable energy from wastewater sludge. To introduce the following articles on sludge and energy, Ludovico Spinosa and Santino Eugenio Di Berardino give an overview of the sustainable options available.
Opportunities to improve energy recovery from sewage sludge
Through a decrease in acceptance of use of sludge in agriculture, other systems such as incineration are being increasingly used to process sludge and generate energy. Wim Rulkens suggests ways in which further energy can be obtained from the sludge treatment process by implementing an integrated chain approach.
Intensification of anaerobic digestion towards the energy self-sufficiency of municipal wastewater treatment
Prague's Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city's main treatment facility, has undergone various reconstructions since it came into operation. Jana Zabranska, Michal Dohanyos, Josef Kutil and Pavel Jenicek summarise the changes which have taken place in order to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment.
The advantages of thermal hydrolysis in sludge treatment
The use of thermal hydrolysis as a pretreatment process in sludge treatment can lead to greater energy generation, pathogen destruction and reduction of odour. John T Novak discusses the advantages of the process.
An energy consumption comparison of sewage treatment systems
To determine the optimal process for obtaining energy from sludge, Dr Kazuyuki Oshita and Dr Masaki Takaokasimulated combinations of treatment processes andcompared them to controls. In this article they discuss the optimal sewage treatment systems identified.
Increasing sludge capacity by balancing wastewater asset performance
Improvements are under way at the UK's United Utilities centred on its largest wastewater treatment plant, Davyhulme, but aimed at optimising sludge processing across a number of sites. Catherine Fitzpatrick looks at the innovative methods being used in the improvements, and speaks to project consultant MWH about how this reflects wider trends in sludge management.
Wastewater sludge management under Austria's federal framework
Management and treatment of sludge varies across Austria's nine states depending upon the restrictions in place regarding its use. Horst Muller looks at the treatment of sludge across the country, and suggests the promotion of mono-incineration to recover phosphorus from waste and a better regulatory framework for sludge used in agriculture to prevent further decrease in acceptance of this route.
Pumps/valves
Exploiting the energy saving potential of efficient pumping
Governmental pressure to reduce carbon emissions and rising energy prices are shifting pump system development and operation towards saving energy. Lis Stedman speaks with manufacturers and business advisors about energy-efficient technologies and whole-system solutions.
Desalination
Desal delivers a supply boost to Barcelona
What is said to be Europe's largest desalination plant for municipal use was commissioned earlier this year as a central element of efforts to meet the water needs of the Spanish city of Barcelona during drought. Keith Hayward visited the site.
Process/ultrapure water
Treatment technology and parts-per-trillion limits
Ultrapure water is used in a range of industries, from computers to pharmaceuticals, and technology increasingly has to deliver at parts-per-trillion limits. Lis Stedman speaks to some of those who work to provide this technology. Click here to view this article.
Water supply networks and pipelines
AquaFit4Use: sustainable water use in industry
The European research initiative AquaFit4Use brings together more than 30 partners with the aim of reducing consumption and improving management of water within industrial processes.
Driving down water loss: validating water audits for accurate NRW management
The first step in developing a water loss reduction strategy should be to carry out a water audit, but what steps are needed to ensure the audit is accurate? In the latest article from the IWA Water Loss Task force, Paul Fanner outlines how to validate a water audit.
Austria's new guideline for water losses
The new Austrian Association of Gas and Water guideline on water loss is an update to a previous guideline and takes into account developments in the area to give up-to-date information on water loss management. Joerg Koelbl and Robert Gschleiner give an overview of the new directive and its recommendations for assessment of water loss and measures of leakage reduction.
Research and Development
EU-backed MBR research highlights energy challenge for wider use
The MBR-Network, formed of four projects extending research into membrane bioreactor technology, is due to complete its work at the end of this year. Bill McCann reports on the advancements and future challenges discussed at the closing MBR-Network workshop. Click here to view this article.
Careers
Valorization of the European educational offer in environmental and water resources engineering
Several schemes are under way to improve access to higher education in the area of environmental engineering in European Union countries for students from developing countries. Andrea G Capodaglio discusses these programmes and the opportunities involved
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