Environmental and economic sustainability of wastewater reclamation and reuse in urban areas
Journal
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
6
Start Page
119520
ISSN
22133437
Date Issued
2025-12
Author(s)
Del Rosario, Francesca Lucy U.
Montallana, Jude Nathan T.
Huang, Tai-Yuan
Aberilla, Jhud Mikhail O.
Abstract
Over 2.3 billion people experience water stress, and millions in developing countries still lack access to clean water and sanitation due to inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. The linear take-make-dispose model further exacerbates the pressure on already limited natural water resources. In light of these challenges, the study investigates wastewater reclamation and reuse (WWRR) as a circular, resource-oriented alternative capable of producing potable water and compares its environmental and economic performance with a conventional sewage treatment plant (STP)-water treatment configuration, which only meets safe discharge standards and requires an additional water treatment facility for potable water production. A WWRR system was designed and simulated for urban applications, achieving potable water standards. The life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrates that the WWRR scheme outperforms the conventional system in 18 midpoint categories, including a 33.6 % reduction in global warming potential. However, techno-economic analysis (TEA) reveals cost challenges largely driven by energy-intensive tertiary treatment technologies – reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane bioreactor (MBR). To address this trade-off, we evaluate natural protein-based filters, specifically Moringa oleifera (MO)-functionalized cotton filters, exhibiting effective contaminant removal efficiency with lower environmental and economic burdens. Integrating natural filtration technologies into WWRR systems presents a feasible and eco-friendly approach to addressing urban water challenges while advancing sustainable and circular water infrastructure.
Subjects
Domestic wastewater
Gate-to-gate
Levelized cost
Life cycle assessment
Potable water reuse
Sewage treatment process
Techno-economic analysis
Wastewater reclamation and reuse
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article