What is it about?
This research presents a practical and sustainable way to treat urban wastewater by combining aeration and electrodialysis technologies. The process first aerates effluent from an anaerobic membrane bioreactor to remove sulphides that could hinder further treatment, then uses electrodialysis to separate and concentrate valuable nutrients—nitrogen and phosphorus—for potential reuse while producing purified water suitable for discharge under strict regulations. By optimizing key operating conditions, the study demonstrates that this approach can reliably recover most of the nitrogen and phosphorus in the treated water, reduce energy use compared to previous methods, and help transform wastewater treatment plants into resource recovery facilities. These results support circular economy strategies, making wastewater management more efficient and environmentally friendly.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it introduces a sustainable and effective solution to the growing challenges of wastewater management and resource scarcity in urban environments. By recovering key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from treated water—using optimized aeration and electrodialysis—the process helps prevent water pollution, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, and enables the reuse of both water and nutrients within local communities, supporting circular economy principles. Moreover, the approach addresses existing limitations in conventional wastewater treatment methods, offering improved environmental performance and compliance with strict European discharge regulations while using less energy. As cities face stricter rules and rising costs, these advances pave the way for future treatment plants to become resource recovery centers, helping society move closer to sustainable water management practices.
Perspectives
Looking ahead, the integration of aeration and electrodialysis into wastewater treatment plants could become a key element in the transition toward a circular economy for the water sector. This approach redefines wastewater not as a burden to be disposed of, but as a valuable source for resource recovery—capturing water, nutrients, and energy for reuse in agriculture and industry while minimizing environmental impact. Adopting such advanced treatment strategies allows communities to address pressing issues like water scarcity, pollution, and reliance on synthetic fertilizers, while promoting sustainability and resilience in urban infrastructure. As regulations tighten and technologies become more accessible, implementing systems that recover resources from wastewater will be central to building greener and more self-sufficient cities.
Dr. Jordi Carrillo Abad
Universitat de Valencia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Electrodialysis parameter optimisation following aeration strategy of anaerobic membrane bioreactor effluent to enhance water quality and nutrient recovery, Journal of Water Process Engineering, November 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108869.
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