Let’s close the gap on resource recovery from wastewater!

How can society benefit from focusing more on resource recovery from wastewater?

First of all, some of the resources that can be recovered have a direct immediate value such as biosolids, biogas and thermal energy while others like nutrient phosphorous and cellulose for circular building materials are in a development stage. 

Secondary, by implementing these recovery processes we contribute to circularity, the energy transition and a more sustainable water sector in general. Thus as wastewater treatment plants increasingly become water resource recovery facilities, local communities will benefit as consumers given the increased local production of sustainable energy and additional useful biproducts. 

 What kind of incentives could possibly accelerate this change?

A lot of good things are already happening, but we’re far from there. Some technologies for the recovery of resources are proven and can be implemented. In addition to the transition to a greener energy profile in the water sector through generation of biogas, the increased policy and financial focus on circularity will be a factor in accelerating change. For example, in Europe water utilities are earmarked a priority sector in the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), thus they will have to start reporting from next year onwards about how they contribute positively to sustainability. 

This EU Taxonomy is providing a classification system to support this, and when proven ‘sustainable’ it will provide access to significant subsidies and investment opportunity. In addition, the increased attention to corporate circularity as part of goal setting for sustainability will drive activity globally. 
 
What are the most interesting trends in resource recovery right now? 

There are several. Addressing water scarcity and/or sustainable water management is becoming more common across our markets, also in places where we didn’t see that before. So wastewater reuse is becoming a new consideration in many places, in particular for use by industry. Biogas, hydrogen and thermal energy recovery are being developed within all our core markets as part of the focus on a transition to green energy. There is a lot of opportunity for innovation and partnering to successfully scale projects.
 
How are you planning to celebrate World Water Day?

I will be enjoying Nashville’s extensive network of greenways that connect our people to city parks, local waterways and wetlands.