Waste water can bring dividends to the economy

March 22 is world water day. According to the report entitled “waste water: from waste to resources” issued by the world bank to commemorate World Water Day, 80% of the world’s waste water is discharged into the environment without proper treatment, but waste water is a valuable resource from which clean water, energy, nutrients and other resources can be recovered.

 

The report calls for smarter management of wastewater, including reuse and recycling, and introduces wastewater treatment projects around the world that offer long-term and short-term dividends to people, the environment and the economy. Efficient investment in wastewater and other sanitation infrastructure is essential for achieving public health benefits, improving the environment and improving the quality of life. A novel coronavirus pneumonia is a safe and effective way to manage water, environmental hygiene and personal hygiene services. It is an important part of preventing diseases and protecting public health during the outbreak of infectious diseases, including the current new crown pneumonia epidemic.

 

“Wastewater treatment and reuse is one of the ways to solve water shortage and pollution problems in water shortage areas where 30% of the world’s population lives,” said Jennifer Sara, director of the world bank’s water global practice Bureau. After treatment, waste water can be used for irrigation, industrial production or entertainment instead of purified water, and can also be used to maintain the environment. The by-products of waste water treatment can produce energy and nutrients. “

 

The report points out that wastewater treatment provides a double value. In addition to environmental and health benefits, wastewater treatment can also bring economic benefits through reuse in different industries. By products such as nutrients and biogas can be used in agriculture and energy production. The extra revenue generated in this process can help water companies pay for operation and maintenance costs.

 

“In this sense, wastewater should no longer be treated as’ waste ‘, but as a resource,” said Diego Juan Rodriguez, the report’s author and a senior water management expert at the world bank. This is the core of circular economy. The purpose of this economic system is to minimize waste and maximize the use of resources. With the continuous development of cities, cities in the future need to adhere to the principle of circular economy, minimize resource consumption and pay attention to resource recovery. A key benefit of adopting the principle of circular economy in wastewater treatment is that through resource recovery and reuse, wastewater treatment can be transformed from a costly service to self-sustaining and economic value. This will help the country to narrow the funding gap for sewage treatment and achieve the goal of sustainable development. “