Holiday trip_5/2018

My holiday trip, two week ago, I had the opportunity to visit Iojima Island with my friends. At that time, it was Golden Week of Japan – the longest vacation period of the year- so we had free time for traveling. We were looking forward to the trip because this was the first time we went there. The boat trip from Nagasaki to this Island was very interesting. It only took 20 minutes and we could see nice views of the cityscape from the sea. When we got off the boat, there was a map on the signboard showing three routes around the island. We walked along the beach which was a strange place – lovely sand and calm blue sea. The beach was clean and beautiful. After that, we went up the hill to the lighthouse and took many photos from there. There are many paths through the forest with cool atmosphere, beautiful flower and tasty fruits. The best time to visit this region is spring and it seems to be a good place to relax. I will come back here once again in the future. 

The picture was taken at the lighthouse

The picture was taken from the beach 

The picture was taken at a path through the forest

2018 Water Research foundation conference, Atlanta, GA (May 6-8)

At first sight I want to thank Abe I initiative scholarship for giving opportunity to participate in the water reuse conference held in Atlanta, GA. I also want to thank my supervisor Mr. Takahiro Fujioka  who spared no effort to expose me in this environment full of water sciences experts. This trip in USA was very exciting for me cos it was my first one in this continent. It was a new experience for me as a student who is interested in water area. As I expected I found very kind and humble people who shared their knowledge and experience with me. The water research conference has united many workers from the US public and private sector. Some foreign researchers were  also part of the even. All the presentations were mostly about DPR (Direct Potable Reuse) and IPR (Indirect Potable Reuse). Therefore, during three days from 08:30 am to 5 pm participants were sharing their experience and research about water treatment. The first workshop which I was part of focused on waste water treatment for irrigation purposes. The results presented in this workshop were very concluding in term cost and environment protection. It was proved that when the populations are well informed they will agree to use products from irrigation by treated wastewater. I was also attracted by a post which was talking about waste water treatment for drinking purpose. This study was done in California and based on three steps filtration Microfiltration-Reverse osmosis and UV treatment. In this world where water resource is becoming rare this process could be an alternative. Thus, another presentation captured my attention. It was one did by Sense Fujioka Takahiro which about modifying RO membrane for N-nitrosodimethylamine rejection improvement. Therefore, by heating the membrane he succeeds to get a high removal of the carcinogenic molecule. However further researches should be done to limit the flux decreasing due to the heat. During the three days of the conference I hanged out after sessions in order to discover Atlanta city. I really like the town. I even met an African guy who speaks my mother tongue. He shared some information with me about life in Atlanta city. Finally, I can say that this trip was an amazing experience for me as a student in water and environment but also as a tourist.

During a workshop in the Water Research Foundation Conference

Sense Fujioka Takahiro presenting his research about Modification of reverse Osmosis Membranes for Improved Removal of N-nitrosodimethylamine

Santos Ghemire presenting on Life Cycle Impact Assessment of a rainwater Harvesting System Compared with an A/C Condensate System

Author: Sidy Ka

Water Reuse Conference Held at Peachtree in Atlanta, USA

I was privileged to be among the participants of the water reuse conference that was held at Peachtree hotel in Atlanta, USA from May 6^th – 8^th, 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.