Producing fit‐for‐purpose water and recovering resources from various sources: An overview

Abstract

AbstractNatural resources, except wind power and solar energy, are depleting, and therefore it is essential to develop and implement best management practices wherever possible. With respect to water, integrated water management is essential to preserve the fresh water for many generations to come. Producing fit‐for‐purpose water from various sources such as rainwater, wastewater, seawater/brackish water, and stormwater will contribute greatly to conserve the fresh water. By looking at a few wastewater streams, such as domestic wastewater and wastewaters from industries such as textile, aquaculture, mining, meat processing, carwash, and agriculture, generated all over the world informs us that quantifying them and characterizing their qualities are important to understand many aspects. The increase or decrease in consumption and technologies implemented (or need to be implemented) for water and energy savings, recovery of energy and resources from concentrates and other wastes (such as wastewater sludge, agricultural and food wastes) to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover materials and energy will give clear direction that should be taken in research and development and implementation of technologies for sustainable living.