Abstract
The search for alternative water sources is pushing to the reuse of treated water coming from municipal wastewater treatment plants. However, this requires that tightened standards be fulfilled. Among them is the microbiological safety of reused water. Although chlorination is the mostly applied disinfection system, it presents several disadvantages, such as the high doses required and the possibility of formation of dangerous by-products. Moreover, the threat of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread throughout poorly treated water is requiring the implementation of more efficient disinfection systems. Ozone and photo assisted disinfection technologies are being given special attention to reach treated water with higher quality. Still, much must be done to optimize the processes so that cost-effective systems may be obtained. This review paper gives a critical overview on the application of ozone and photo-based disinfection systems, bearing in mind their advantages and disadvantages when applied to water and municipal wastewater. Also, the possibility of integrated disinfection systems is considered.
Highlights
Water scarcity is one of the main challenges mankind is facing nowadays
Bearing in mind the growing interest in innovative disinfection technologies and the especial focus on ozone and photo-based systems, this paper presents a critical review concerning ozone and photocatalytic processes for pathogens disinfection
This is an important concern when high ozone exposures are required for a proper inactivation of the pathogens, such as protozoa, which are more resistant than bacteria and virus [54]
Summary
Water scarcity is one of the main challenges mankind is facing nowadays. Water quality protection aiming to reduce impacts over ecosystems and human health will lead to even tighter legislation regarding treated municipal wastewater disposal into the natural water courses. Catalysts 2019, 9, 46 or reduced until levels with no or low level of impact in public health, before its discharge into a receiving water or, and especially, if reuse purposes are foreseen Bacteria, namely those present in human gastrointestinal tract, represent the microorganism group more frequently studied and evaluated to determine the microbiological quality of different types of waters [2]. An effective disinfection system should be able to assure its removal or reduction Another special concern is the presence of large amounts of antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater treatment plants [7,8,9,10,11,12]. Special emphasis was placed on recent research on ozone-based technologies as well as light driven technologies, including UVC, solar, and photocatalytic disinfection These processes show interesting features, since undesired disinfection by-products formation can be avoided if the operating conditions are carefully selected. These pathogens may present even higher infectivity than bacteria, their presence in treated water may not be neglected
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