I was privileged to be
among the participants of the water reuse conference that was held at Peachtree
hotel in Atlanta, USA from May 6th – 8th, 2018. The
Research Conference is designed to help communities prepare for the future with
a comprehensive program offering innovative approaches and creative solutions
for managing our water resources.
The conference is aimed
at furthering the development of reuse water qualities that are fit-for-purpose
and within the regulated requirements for water quality. It is worthy to
mention that the latest research addressing the challenges of integrated water
management and reuse are presented for discussion and deliberations. The event
provides for opportunities to share knowledge regarding water reuse approaches
and applications in different States in the USA, to build trust and further
grow water reuse projects.
As students, studying
membrane technology for water treatment, the opportunity was so benefiting that
it provided further insight into a wide range of membrane technologies which
are applicable in water treatment. But gladly to mention, it was a golden
opportunity to meet with the most tested and top of the notch researchers in
membrane science technology. It was so humbling to share a moment with Harold
Fravel, Jr, the executive director of the American Membrane Technology
Association. His vast knowledge of
membranes is just a click-off head, another moving encyclopaedia of knowledge.
The world is seeking for
innovative and better methods of solving the recurrent water scarcity issue.
One option is sewer mining for reuse, but the big question arises “Won’t the new water cause more health
problems”. Researchers are still
intrigued by this concern, but most especially with the removal of infectious
pathogens, NMDAs and CECs from water for reuse. Quite a few promising research
presentations were made on this problem.
Noticeably, was the presentation on modification of RO membranes for
removal of NMDAs by Prof.Takahiro Fujioka. He uses the technique of increased
feedwater temperature to improve the removal efficiency of RO membranes for
NMDAs. However, I can ably say that this area is still very open to further
research, and therefore a new avenue for future students.
How about removal of
viruses from water? Norovirus is one of the key viruses to be taken keen of
during sewer mining. The virus is very infectious even in trace amounts! Quite
astonishing. Research is therefore needed to develop a technology which can
detect both dead and live pathogens as opposed to the present methods which
depend on total counts. Removal of pathogens and monitoring of wastewater
treatment plants effluents for water quality is key in water reuse. New
research is therefore taking the twist to develop a technology for total
removal and detection of pathogens in water.
In summary, the quality
of the water for reuse purposes should be taken with utmost integrity and care.
New research in improved removal and detection of NMDAs, CECs, and pathogens is
very paramount but still in the initial stages of development. This is
therefore a bank for new research topics for the upcoming researchers.
Ronald
Katalo.
 |
| Ronald and Sidy, listening to the presentations |
 |
| Ronald and Sidy, feeling the freshness of Atlanta |
 |
| Prof.Takahiro Fujioka, being introduced by the MC prior to his presentation |
 |
| Prof.Takahiro Fujioka, responding to the questions raised after his presentation. |
 |
| Prof. Vinneeth Panicker, senting ways to maximse pathogen credits for MBR based advanced treatment facilities. |
 |
| Jeff Mosher, a fresh PhD graduate from University of Georgia, presenting research on use of wetlannds for treatng grey water and stormwater. |
 |
| Prof.Takahiro Fujioka, presenting his research on modification of RO membranes for removal of NMDAs. |
