Water Conservation and Management (WCM)

Expanding centralized wastewater services to all regions in Jordan is constrained by economic, topographical, and engineering challenges. As a result, decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) are increasingly recognized as a complementary solution, particularly for rural and peri-urban areas where centralized connectivity is unfeasible. This study aims to design a sustainable and scalable business model for DEWATS in Jordan, with a focus on overcoming the institutional, financial, and regulatory barriers that have historically hindered their adoption. The research integrates spatial diagnostics, stakeholder consultations, institutional analysis, and a comprehensive financial and economic evaluation of three nature-based DEWATS configurations designed for settlements of up to 5,000 population equivalent (PE). Indicators such as average incremental cost (AIC), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and benefit-cost (B/C) ratios were used to evaluate technical and operational viability under both private and public investment scenarios. While all configurations demonstrated strong economic performance (IRRs > 27%, B/C > 3.7), financial feasibility remains weak without public capital support due to high per capita costs and limited revenue collection in small communities. The study identifies critical challenges, including undefined institutional mandates, lack of certified operators and regulators, insufficient cost-recovery mechanisms, and underdeveloped markets for private sector participation in O&M. Furthermore, existing tariff structures and bylaws do not adequately support capital investment or full operational cost recovery by private service providers. To address these gaps, the paper proposes a hybrid public-private-community business model incorporating performance-based service contracts, revised regulatory standards, and blended financing instruments. The model emphasizes the integration of DEWATS into spatial water safety planning, climate-resilient system design, and resource recovery to enhance environmental, social, and financial sustainability.

Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, although sustainable water quality management remains a key concern. Farmers that solely raise prawns or tilapia underutilize ponds. Prawns reside along the substrate and effectively use the benthic production, whereas fish mostly inhabit the water column and hardly ever explore the bottom. Consequently, both species’ pond-based monoculture systems leave a substantial portion of the installations unutilized. Significant waste accumulation on the bottom from monocultured tilapia may be discharged into the environment. This review paper analyses the effectiveness of monoculture and polyculture systems in maintaining optimal water quality in numbers of earthen freshwater ponds. It specifically focuses on using freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) together as a way to improve water sustainability. This review examines the management of important water quality metrics under monoculture and polyculture systems, including dissolved oxygen, ammonia levels, pH balance, and organic matter accumulation. According to various research results, the polyculture method greatly enhances water quality by stabilizing oxygen levels, encouraging nutrient cycling, and lowering ammonia build-up. Prawns benefit in sediment bioturbation, which lowers the build-up of organic waste, while tilapia helps regulate algae growth. The efficacy of this system in enhancing aquaculture sustainability and optimizing pond ecology is supported by both practical and international studies. This review article emphasizes the benefits of using polyculture as opposed to monoculture systems for improving water quality and raising overall productivity in various culture systems. The adoption of polyculture systems, ongoing water quality monitoring, and the creation of sustainable feeding practices are among the main suggestions. Impending studies should, however, concentrate on the combined culture practices towards long-term ecological and economic feasibility in order to support and adapt sustainable aquaculture development and meet pertinent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This study explores the use of date pomace (DP), a byproduct from the date processing industry, as a sustainable nutrient source for producing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). By adjusting the Hestrin-Schramm (HS) culture medium with DP juice, we evaluated how key operational factors—such as incubation temperature, initial medium pH, and the ratio of DP juice—affect the structural and chemical properties of BNC. The best conditions for BNC production were found to be an initial pH of 6, an incubation temperature of 30°C, and a DP juice ratio of 20%. We used various analytical techniques, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UVS), to characterize the produced BNC. The results showed that increasing the DP juice ratio had a positive effect on the morphology and structure of BNC, while the chemical properties remained stable across different conditions, underscoring the practical potential of using DP for BNC production.

Reservoirs are crucial for agriculture and energy generation, and scientists are exploring ways to increase their capacity, reduce water losses, and monitor changes due to hydrodynamic processes. Currently, hydrodynamic processes in reservoirs are studied using physical and mathematical models. This study used bibliometric analyses to investigate the importance of water reservoirs. Data from 2000 to 2023, sourced from the Web of Science database, were analyzed using the keywords “Reservoirs”, “Dynamics”, and “Sediment”. The analysis of 205 publication revealed that 82% of publications were scientific articles, and there is a positive trend with a correlation of 86%. The top 10 authors contributed approximately 20% of the publications. Chinese scientific organizations conduct numerous studies on hydrodynamics and sedimentation processes in reservoirs. The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the top institution, with 15 records. The study of water bodies through modeling in a climate change context has become increasingly popular. Water Resources Research is the leading journal for publishing research on reservoir flow dynamics and sedimentation processes. The study of water bodies through modeling in the context of climate change has become increasingly popular. The study used bibliometric tools to analyze the co-occurrence of authors, keywords, thematic evolution, and interrelationships. The results revealed four key research areas: sediment and its transportation, reservoirs, and dynamics. Results also show that almost 50% of articles focus on various models used to study sediment movement in reservoirs, including numerical, mathematical, and hydrodynamic models. Finally, bibliometric analysis of water reservoirs shows numerical, mathematical, and hydrodynamic modeling of flow dynamics and sedimentation of reservoirs are expected to remain dominant in the upcoming decade.

This article delves into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing water station management and highlights the diverse applications, such as monitoring water quality, optimizing supply networks, and enabling predictive maintenance, all of which contribute to sustainable water resource management. Advanced technologies like machine learning and data analytics are explored as tools to address the multifaceted challenges of water resource management, including resource allocation, contamination detection, and system efficiency. The article emphasizes the benefits of integrating AI into water management practices, showcasing examples from current literature and case studies that illustrate successful implementations. It also provides a critical perspective on the challenges and limitations that accompany AI adoption, such as the high costs of implementation, the complexity of achieving data interoperability, and the demand for skilled professionals to manage and operate AI systems. By examining these aspects, the article underscores the potential of AI to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of water infrastructure. Additionally, it states that ongoing investment in AI technologies and collaborative research can overcome existing barriers, leading to more resilient water management systems. Ultimately, this study advocates for leveraging AI to ensure the equitable and efficient delivery of clean water to communities worldwide.

Petroleum-contaminated wastewater is a significant environmental issue since it is harmful and possesses a complex composition. This study investigates the feasibility of shrimp shell powder (SSP) as a low-cost and environmentally friendly biosorbent to treat petroleum-contaminated wastewater. SSP was manufactured by collecting, washing, drying, and milling shrimp shells into powder. Physicochemical characteristics of SSP were established by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine its functional groups and composition. Synthetic petroleum industrial wastewater was used and treated with varying dosages of SSP from 0.15 g to 1.0 g using sample size of 60 ml at natural pH (7.5) and shaking time of 60 minutes at 150 RPM. It was observed that SSP exhibited an optimum color removal efficiency of 94.11% and COD reduction of 91.68% with the optimal dose of SSP being equal to 0.6 g. At the dose of SSP, any increases in SSP dosage led to reductions in removal efficiencies by charge destabilization effects. Additionally, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured after treatment for determining the impact of SSP on treated effluent. With regards to, pH was increased from 7.8 to 9.0, Electrical Conductivity (EC) was increased from 500 to 780, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) was increased from 300 to 600 mg/L, as a result of calcium carbonate and chitosan-derived compounds dissolving. It means that SSP is effective and could be a viable, sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. This particularly applies to petroleum-derived pollutants. But there is a requirement for post-treatment filtration to be further improved. TDS accumulation has to be mitigated. The strength of this research is its potential of SSP as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for industrial wastewater treatment.

A tubewell integrated with filtration treatment system (TWFTS) is proposed for construction at a bamboo plantation in Johor, Malaysia. TWFTS will be used to provide groundwater supply for irrigation. However, the environmental impacts of the TWFTS construction are unknown. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the life cycle impact assessment of the proposed project. The objectives of this study are (i) to assess the environment impacts of proposed TWFTS using life cycle assessment and (ii) to identify environmental hotspots, opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations for sustainable practices of TWFTS. The OpenLCA software, along with the Industrial Design & Engineering Materials database (IDEMAT) and Environmental Footprint 3.0 (EF 3.0), was used to assess the environmental impacts of the TWFTS, which consists of three phases: tubewell installation, construction of protection frame, and construction of filtration treatment system. A cradle-to-gate analysis was applied, evaluating the impacts from raw material extraction to the completion of construction. The results showed that the acidification, climate change, human toxicity (cancer), ozone depletion, and particulate matter emissions of the TWFTS were 8.5696 mol H⁺ eq, 3721.9861 kg CO₂ eq, 9.44 x 10-7 CTUh, 1.275 x 10-5 kg CFC-11 eq, and 1.01 x 10-4 disease inc., respectively, with the construction of filtration treatment system is the primary contributor. The study also revealed that the fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) tank, stainless steel, water pump, and poly tank are the main contributors to these environmental impacts due to their manufacturing processes. Moreover, the findings indicated that replacing the FRP tank with a poly tank can significantly reduce environmental impacts, with reductions ranging from 7.16% to 65.21%. The largest reduction (65.21%) was observed in climate change impact, primarily due to the significant greenhouse gas emissions associated with FRP manufacturing. Ultimately, this study provides a comprehensive analysis to guide the project authority toward more sustainable construction practices.

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) generated from coal mining activities typically exhibits low pH levels (3.75) and high metal concentrations, posing significant threats to aquatic ecosystems. Conventional treatment methods are often costly and less effective in the long term. This study investigates the application of a passive open limestone channel system, utilizing local materials (fly ash, zeolite, limestone, and silica sand) to neutralize AMD. The experimental setup employed three treatment combinations (A, B, and C) tested in an 8-compartment channel system with varying slopes (5°, 7°, and 9°). Combination A used fresh materials, B reused materials from A, and C utilized unwashed materials from B. Effectiveness was evaluated based on pH improvement and operational efficiency. Results showed that Combination A achieved an average pH of 7.51 (76% efficiency), with optimal neutralization occurring in compartment 8. Combination B reached a pH of 7.39 (62% efficiency) but neutralized AMD more rapidly in compartments 5–6. Combination C achieved a pH of 7.15 (73% efficiency). The pH decline in the final compartments was attributed to CO₂ accumulation, gypsum residue formation, and material clogging. Although Combination A had the highest chemical efficiency, Combination B was deemed the most technically optimal due to its balanced pH improvement (7.39), faster neutralization rate, and material efficiency. The study recommends integrating chemical and technical aspects in AMD treatment system design to ensure environmental and economic sustainability.

This study examines the use of a voltage inverter to improve the efficiency of an ETRO – 02 ozonator based on electrical corona discharge. The main objective is to enhance the energy efficiency of the ozonator while ensuring effective water disinfection and purification. The relevance of the work is linked to the increasing problem of water pollution and the growing demand for environmentally friendly purification methods. Traditional ozonators consume a lot of energy, limiting their widespread use. This research aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a voltage inverter to stabilize power supply and increase ozone production. The ozonation process enables the effective removal of harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals. The study involved using an ETRO – 02 ozonator, a multilevel inverter, and standard filters such as activated carbon and zeolite. Research methods included testing ozone production, energy consumption, and disinfection efficiency across different parameters. Corona discharge technology, which has high energy efficiency, was chosen as the basis for ozone production. Parameters such as inverter frequency, input and output voltage, water pH, temperature, and hardness were tested at various levels. The results showed that the ETRO – 02 ozonator’s performance improves by 20-30% with a voltage inverter. At 220 – 240 V, the ozonator produced 45-65 mg/L of ozone, reaching an 80-95% disinfection efficiency. Increasing the output voltage to a range of 2 – 3 kV raised ozone output to 50-70 mg/L, achieving 85 – 97% efficiency. Water temperature, pH, and hardness were found to influence ozone concentration. Increasing the inverter frequency improved efficiency to 92% and supported energy savings. In conclusion, adding a voltage inverter to the ETRO – 02 ozonator optimizes the water purification process, ensuring high ozone production and energy efficiency. This method offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for water purification.

Uncontrolled urbanizations, combined with lack of management strategies in low-income countries, have raised big concern about the sustainability of urban centers, particularly in West Africa. The increasing human pressures, climate variability, and inconsistency of policies have exacerbated the urban crisis in West Africa. For this reason, we have updated the reviews of potential threats in urban environments, including water bodies, and addressed holistic approaches for successful integrated management of urban centers. To do so, the method used in the study is based on a detailed tracking of specific keywords in the literature using Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Based on recent relevant literatures, we have conceptualized knowledge on pressures in urban areas and their interactions with their relationships to water quality. We found that urban centers in West Africa are under severe threats, including water contamination by faecal and heavy metals, physical environment degradation by waste dumps resulting in smelling waters and undesirable air, and soiled vegetables. The results also showed that microbiological contamination in vegetables and water columns largely exceeded the reference standards. Therefore, following the conceptual framework of building a new paradigm, including policy implementation, creating a new urban landscape design through well adapted urban engineering and integrated water management, good management of municipal waste, and educating citizens about environmental responsibility are crucial for long-terms sustainability of urban centers. This research outputs may help to increase awareness and state-of-the-art development of suitable cities for the well-being of the population in Burkina Faso.