Top 10 Innovations in Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies

water and wastewater treatment technologies market

Wastewater is becoming an enigma in the sustainable development of society. The growing urban population of developing economies like India and China faces the serious challenge of water quality management and industrial wastewater treatment.

According to UNICEF, nearly two billion people live in countries where the water supply is inadequate. Half of the world’s population, especially underdeveloped and developing economies in Africa and Asia, face water scarcity for clean drinking water for everyone. It is estimated that nearly 700 million people have to relocate due to extreme water scarcity by 2030.

Due to global warming, there has been an increased frequency of droughts and famines across the globe contributing to adverse water conditions. To save the environment from pollution, and the harmful impact of untreated wastewater, it is important to introduce wastewater treatment technology. As we move towards a sustainable future, municipalities and industries are likely to adopt new water and wastewater treatment technologies market.

The top innovations in water and wastewater treatment technology are:

  • Water reuse and recycling
  • Water treatment and circularity
  • Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Destruction
  • Thermal Hydrolysis
  • Microbial fuel cells
  • Membrane filtration
  • Advanced Oxidation
  • Nanofiltration
  • Modular water treatment system
  • Desalination

1. Water reuse and recycling

Water reuse and recycling revolves around treating wastewater to use again in the same location such as reusing residential sewage water and for irrigation of gardens in the societies. This approach reduces our dependence on freshwater resources and reduces the consumption of freshwater.

Companies such as Epic Cleantec provide onsite water reusing systems for commercial and large-scale buildings which reuse 95% of wastewater. This regenerative water reuse system can reduce utility costs and consumption of fresh water; it also has low operating costs and is sustainable.

According to the survey conducted by the company 70% of U.S. consumers prefer to spend money on companies that are using sustainable practices to provide green solutions.

According to the American Waterworks Association, the repairing and expanding of water infrastructure would require around USD 1 trillion in the next 25 years.

A few other notable companies that provide water reuse and recycling solutions include HydraLoop and watersmart. Their shower solutions save both water and energy.

2. Water Treatment and circularity

Modern wastewater treatment technologies not only remove pollutants but also recover valuable resources such as nutrients energy and byproducts while treating the wastewater.

These wastewater treatment technologies focus on specific application areas from where water is being treated. For instance, BioFiltro, a wastewater treatment company that uses its patented Biodynamic Aerobic (BIDA) system. The system uses worms and microbes to remove up to 99% of the contaminants in just a few hours and produces nutrient-rich worm castings.

Aquacycl, a wastewater management solution company uses its patented modular Bio Electrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT) system to treat high biological oxygen demand (BOD) wastewater and generate electricity as a byproduct.

Gross-Wen Technologies and Water Warriors are also prominent companies that provide water treatment and circularity solutions.

3. PFAS Destruction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are chemicals that can be harmful to humans as their consumption can result in increased cholesterol levels, lower immunity, and cause kidney and testicular cancer. In 2009, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established advisory limits on the presence of PFASs in drinking water. The most recent recommendation, which went into effect in June 2022, sets advisory limits of 2000 ppt of PFBS, 10 ppt of GenX chemicals, 0.02 ppt of PFOA, and 0.004 ppt of PFOA.

Several studies are being conducted to develop technologies that will remove PFAS contaminants from sources of drinking water. Reverse osmosis (RO), granular activated carbon (GAC), nanofiltration (NF), and ion exchange resin (IXR) are some of the technologies that eliminate or purify PFAS content from wastewater. Removal technologies do not completely remove or destroy PFASs, despite their demonstrated effectiveness in PFAS separation or adsorption. These are simply temporary measures of PFASs’ physical mass transfer (sequestration).

Even though several PFAS destruction technologies are still in the development stage, several companies have had breakthroughs in the research. Aclarity is one such company that has developed PFAS destruction technology. The company uses an Electrochemical Oxidation (EOx) process that involves the passage of an electrical current through a liquid solution to mineralize PFAS compounds on the anode surface. This technology requires low energy, and it is highly efficient.

374Water uses supercritical water oxidation which is an advanced oxidation method that can treat a wide range of organic wastes. Similarly, Enspired Solutions uses a patented chemistry that uses unique chemistry coupled with ultraviolet light that stimulates a reaction to systematically disassemble PFAS molecules into water, fluoride, and simple carbon compounds.

4. Thermal Hydrolysis

Thermal hydrolysis is a process technology that anaerobically digests wastewater. Sewage sludge and other moist organic wastes are subjected to high temperatures and pressures during the process of thermal hydrolysis. It works like that when you cook using steam.

At the full scale, site-specific variables such as sludge type (wastewater treatment plant configuration, aeration sludge age, industrial loads); anaerobic digestion (configuration, retention time, operating temperature, quantity, and type of mixing); and co-generation (configuration, size and efficiency) are responsible for the difficulty in comparing sites.

Thermal hydrolysis simplifies the separation and processing of wastewater, thereby generating biogas and minimizing waste byproducts. Cambi ASA is one of the leading providers of thermal hydrolysis technology for sewage sludge treatment and organic waste management.

5. Microbial fuel cells

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a relatively new technology that can treat wastewater and produce sustainable energy at the same time. The bacteria produce charged electrons during metabolism which can be harnessed to generate electricity.

When it comes to the extraction and recovery of heavy metals from wastewater, MFCs have demonstrated exceptional efficiency. An algal-based MFC (Chlorella sp.) using nickel-foam/graphene electrodes, was able to remove up to 95% of cadmium Cd(II) with a maximum adsorption quantity of 115 g/m2. With a maximum power density of 36.4 Mw/m2, algae MFC offers superior power generation over competing technologies.

Similarly, functionalized adsorbents with high adsorption capabilities have been produced for the detection of metal pollutants in wastewater, including lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and cesium (Cs). Moreover, MFCs have produced clearance rates of Pb(II) and Cu2+ of 89.6% and 98.3%, respectively.

Even though MFCs offer many benefits, there are also substantial disadvantages with this technology that limit its adoption and growth in prospective fields. Several new technological developments have been made in this technology and has been demonstrated as an ecologically sustainable technology that generates energy while removing pollutants from different types of wastewater. However, due to its high cost, it has not been able to compete with its substitute technologies in the renewable energy sector or wastewater treatment sector.

6. Membrane filtration

Membrane filtration is an evolving technology in the wastewater treatment sector that offers efficient removal of contaminants and enables water reuse. The innovation in membrane filtration includes enhancement of membrane durability, reducing fouling, and improving energy efficiency.

Evove, which is a wastewater treatment technology company recently won the World Changing Idea Award for Water Technology 2024. The company developed membranes that have overcome the inherent flaws in conventional membranes. Their new range of membranes has equal pore size distribution and consumes less energy.

ZwitterCo developed Zwitterionic membranes that perform better in high-foul environments, filtering out fats, oils, and proteins. Their technology significantly reduces cleaning and replacement costs.

Veolia, a leading wastewater treatment technology player, introduced “Memthane anaerobic membrane bioreactor” that treats heavily contaminated water and generates renewable energy through biogas production.

Similarly, companies like Evoqua Water Technologies, GE Water & Process Technologies, and Toray Industries have developed their membrane technology for the filtration of wastewater. The innovation is focused on low energy and chemical consumption.

7. Advanced Oxidation

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can break down persistent organic contaminants in wastewater making them more popular. AOPs and biological processes are being integrated in recent advancements to improve sustainability and efficiency. For instance, a recent study from 2023, emphasizes how biological therapies can be combined with solar photo-Fenton and photocatalysis to greatly enhance pollutant degradation while consuming the least amount of energy.

Another study discusses the use of non-conventional AOPs like microwave, ultrasound, and plasma pulse-assisted oxidation, which show promise for future applications due to their high efficiency and lower energy requirements. These advancements are necessary for addressing the increasing complexity of wastewater contaminants.

Several companies are at the forefront of these innovations, for instance, Veolia has launched advanced oxidation products that combine ozone and UV light to generate hydroxyl radicals, effectively treating various contaminants. Aquatech has introduced new AOP systems that integrate hydrogen peroxide and UV light, enhancing the degradation of organic pollutants. Xylem has also developed advanced oxidation solutions that utilize ozone and hydrogen peroxide, targeting industrial wastewater treatment.

8. Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration technology is a rapidly evolving technology for wastewater treatment. The recent innovations in nanofiltration technology have included enhanced membrane selectivity permeability and fouling resistance. “Recent Advances in the Theory and Application of Nanofiltration: a Review” by Yuchen DU, Biplob Kumar Pramanik highlights the development of thin film nanos composite membranes to incorporate materials like graphene oxide and metal-organic frameworks that significantly improve performance and durability. Another study shows the use of phase inversion and interfacial polymerization techniques that create more efficient nanofiltration membranes.

Several companies have recently launched new nanofiltration products such as DuPont’s FilmTec LiNE-XD nanofiltration membrane that allows increased water and lithium recovery with reduced energy consumption.

TeraPore Technologies has developed IsoBlock virus filters leveraging their Intelligent Membrane platform. These filters provide high-resolution nanofiltration for bioprocessing applications with robust viral clearance and consistent performance.

SepPure Technologies provides advanced nanofiltration membranes tailored for diverse filtration requirements across industries, ensuring efficient separation and purification processes. Their technology particularly focuses on reducing the environmental impact of wastewater treatment.

Advancements in nanotechnology are driving the nanofiltration technology market.

9. Modular water treatment system

Modular water treatment systems are becoming popular due to their flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. These systems are designed to be easily transported and assembled, making them ideal for decentralized water treatment applications. New products are being designed in response to the increasing focus on improving the integration and modularity of modern treatment methods.

Several companies are developing modular water treatment solutions and FCT Water Treatment offers custom modular systems that cater to various needs including portable water, wastewater treatment, and groundwater redemption. The decentralized nature of modular water treatment systems significantly reduces the cost and minimizes jobsite work by allowing quick installation and commissioning.

Another company that specializes in modular wastewater treatment systems is Filtra Systems. It utilizes advanced technology to address distinct water treatment challenges. The company’s water treatment systems include Walnut Shell Filters (WNSF), dissolved air filtration, chemical management stations, pump stations, control valves, and several other instruments.

Some of the other prominent players that operate in modular water treatment systems are Genesis Water Technologies, Thermax Ltd, Veolia, etc.

10. Desalination

Desalination technology is essential in converting saline water into freshwater and addressing water scarcity in many regions around the world. The two primary methods used in desalination are thermal-based distillation and membrane-based filtration.

The current commercial technology used for desalination is reverse osmosis (RO), Multi-Effect Distillation, and Multi-stage Flash desalination (MSF).

desalination technologies

MSF involves heating saline water and flushing it into steam in multiple stages and MED utilizes multiple steps of evaporation and condensation. These technologies are usually applied to large-scale desalination plants.

Several companies are developing technologies for desalination processes. Veolia is one of the leading players in desalination. The company’s latest product innovation in reverse osmosis (RO) technology delivers on-site ready-to-operate modules, It produces fresh water that complies with all water quality regulations while meeting the demands and challenges of the desalination business.
Additionally, low-pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) and water reuse applications offer substantial savings on capital and operating costs which is a major challenge in water desalination.

Some of the prominent players in the desalination of wastewater include GE water, WABAG, and Aquatech, among others.

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