Currently, treatment systems allow, on average, half of the emerging pollutants present in wastewater to pass through. However, scientists are developing new technologies to make infrastructure more efficient and remove residual pollutants that would otherwise be discharged into waterways. Jean Francois BlaiseAnd A water treatment and environmental decontamination expert at the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS), has collaborated with Canadian scientists to review current and emerging treatment technologies. Through this review, the team determined the efficiency of removing a specific type of pollutant that causes hormonal disruption: endocrine disruptors.
Effective techniques
The use of ozone is one of the most promising technologies. Ozone, a powerful oxidizing gas, breaks down pollutants through a chemical reaction. This particular technology was chosen for the Jean R Marcotte sewage treatment plant, where all the sewage converges in Montreal. Another promising method of water treatment is adsorption with activated carbon. In addition to being inexpensive, this material can effectively filter and absorb pollutants regardless of whether they are in powder or granular form.
In his review, Professor Blais also focused on electrooxidation processes and membrane bioreactors. The first method uses two electrodes to reduce pollutants. The second combines the membrane (to filter out some pollutants) and the living organisms (to break down what passes through it).
These two approaches are being developed at INRS, at Professor Patrick Droghe‘s Environmental Photovoltaic Technologies and Oxidation Processes Laboratory.
“All of these emerging technologies have the advantage of being able to be added to existing treatment plants, mostly downstream of existing systems,” explains Professor Bliss.
Ultimately, they can improve the performance of existing water treatment technologies without requiring major changes to municipal facilities.
Lac St Charles Affair
These different wastewater treatment options have realistic implications for municipalities. Quebec City quickly became interested in these innovative treatment methods after concerns about water quality in the main water supply, Lac Saint Charles. So the INRS team was tasked with finding effective solutions to this problem, as well as connecting its sewage system.
“Many remote dwellings use septic tanks and absorption fields,” Blais says. We wanted to identify alternatives, such as autonomous treatment systems for homes, to connect them without sacrificing the health of our water bodies.”
In April 2021, Professor Bliss, Professor Sophie Duchesne, Research Officer Genevieve Rio, and Prissel Ahosi, a Master’s student in Professional Studies in Water Sciences, presented an assessment and recommendation report outlining solutions the city could implement.
Reference: Dear D, Arif A, Blair D et al. A comprehensive review of current techniques for removing endocrine-disrupting chemicals from wastewater. environment precision. 2022; 207: 112196. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.112196
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