Ca. Accumulibacter was the predominant microorganism (relative FISH bio-abundance of 67 ± 5%) in a lab-scale sequential batch reactor that accomplished enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) while using glucose and acetate as the carbon sources (1:1 COD-based ratio). Both organic compounds were completely anaerobically consumed. The reactor's performance in terms of P/C ratio, phosphorous release and uptake, and overall kinetic and stoichiometric parameters were on the high end of the reported spectrum for EBPR systems (100:9.3 net mg phosphate removal per mg COD consumed when using glucose and acetate in a 1:1 ratio). The batch tests showed that, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a reactor enriched with Ca. Accumulibacter can putatively utilize glucose as the sole carbon source to biologically remove phosphate (COD:P (mg/mg) removal ratio of 100:6.3 when using only glucose). Thus, this research proposes that Ca. Accumulibacter directly anaerobically stored the fed glucose primarily as glycogen by utilizing the ATP provided via the hydrolysis of poly-P and secondarily as PHA by balancing its ATP utilization (glycogen generation) and formation (PHA storage). Alternative hypotheses are also discussed. The reported findings could challenge the conventional theories of glucose assimilation by Ca. Accumulibacter, and can be of significance for the biological removal of phosphorus from wastewaters with high contents of fermentable compounds or low VFAs.

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This study evaluated the effects of sludge retention time (SRT) on the membrane filtration performance of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) fed lipid-rich synthetic dairy wastewater. The membrane filtration performance was evaluated in two AnMBR systems operated at two different SRTs, i.e., 20 and 40 days. For the AnMBR operated at 40 days, SRT exhibited worse membrane filtration performance characterized by operational transmembrane pressures (TMP) exceeding the maximum allowed value and high total resistances to filtration (Rtotal). The sludge in the two reactors evaluated at the different SRTs showed similar sludge filterability properties. However, the sludge in the reactor operated at 40 days SRT was characterized by exhibiting the highest concentrations of: (i) total suspended solids (TSS), (ii) small-sized particles, (iii) extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), (iv) soluble microbial products (SMP), (v) fats, oils and grease (FOG), and (vi) long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). The cake layer resistance was the major contributor to the overall resistance to filtration. The high TSS concentration observed in the AnMBR systems apparently contributed to a less permeable cake layer introducing a negative effect on the membrane filtration performance.@en

The performance of a pilot-scale superoxygenation system was evaluated in clean water and mixed liquor. A mass balance was applied over the pilot-scale system to determine the overall oxygen mass transfer rate coefficient (K_La, h⁻¹), the standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR, kg O₂ d⁻¹), and the standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE, %). Additionally, the alpha factor (α) was determined at a mixed liquor suspend solids (MLSS) concentration of approximately 5 g L⁻¹. SOTEs of nearly 100% were obtained in clean water and mixed liquor. The results showed that at higher oxygen flowrates, higher transfer rates could be achieved; this however, at expenses of the transfer efficiency. As expected, lower transfer efficiencies were observed in mixed liquor compared to clean water. Alpha factors varied between 0.6 and 1.0. However, values of approximately 1.0 can be obtained in all cases by fine tuning the oxygen flowrate delivered to the system.

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An experimental prototype of the eSOS (emergency Sanitation Operation System) Smart Toilet^® was evaluated in an emergency settlement in the Philippines. The toilet was equipped with sensors and information communication technologies (ICT) for an efficient operation in an emergency setting. The field testing aimed at evaluating the toilet's service capacity related to the user frequency/intensity obtaining insight on the usage patterns in an actual post emergency situation. In addition, the novel features and functionality of the toilet were assessed. Operational performance of the toilet was assessed based on data collected from nearly 700 users within a 7-weeks period. The eSOS Smart Toilet has been properly operating during the evaluation period. A methodology to distinguish defecation and urination activities was developed based on determining discharges to faeces and urine tank. The toilet achieved up to 97% savings on water consumption compared to conventional toilets. The application of sensors and ICT features, combined with manually obtained data informed comprehensive usages data e.g. 62% of identified users were female users, 40% children, and 60% of the visits were for urination and 40% and for defecation. The accumulation of urine, faeces and grey water was measured to allow for a responsive maintenance resulting in optimized operation and increased interest to use the toilet. The field evaluation generated ideas for further improvements in terms of cost savings, services, and an overall vision for sustainability.

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Eutrophication episodes have been recently observed in the Santa Lucia river basin (SLRB) in Uruguay, the main drinking water source for approximately 60% of the Uruguayan population. The local environmental authorities have been strengthening the discharge standards for that particular river basin. There are several industries currently discharging their wastewater directly into the SLRB; some of these industries are required to upgrade their current wastewater treatment systems to comply with the new regulations. This study evaluated the performance of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) on dairy wastewater as a potential treatment technology for fulfilling the new discharge standards. A pilot MBR was placed at the dairy industry wastewater treatment system at two different locations: (i) receiving the wastewater from the industrial process after passing through a grease removal pond (high load stream); and (ii) receiving the wastewater after passing through the grease removal pond and an anaerobic pond (low load stream). The pilot MBR was operated at the following conditions for approximately four months: total sludge retention, hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 25 h, an average influent flow rate of 1.3 m³ day^-1, and at two different average chemical oxygen demand (COD) influent concentrations: 1300 mg L^-1 (high load stream) and 385 mg L^-1 (low load stream). The average reported removal efficiencies on COD, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and ammonium (NH₄-N) were 94.1, 98.1, and 99.6%, respectively. In addition, it was observed that for a COD/N ratio above 10, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) were well removed with average removal efficiencies of 93.1 and 91.0%, respectively. The MBR effluent met the new Uruguayan standards for discharging into the SLRB, and it can be further considered for water reuse at the industrial process. Moreover, a financial feasibility study was carried out for the implementation of a full scale MBR at the existing dairy facility. The results of the feasibility study suggested to accept the investment for the implementation of the MBR technology at the dairy industry. The results of the feasibility analysis considered the high impact of penalties and fines imposed by the local government to the industry when not complying with the effluent discharge standards, as well as the critical situation regarding eutrophication of the SLRB while being the most important source for drinking water in Uruguay.

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Reducing the footprint requirements of membrane bioreactors (MBR)s can both decrease the surface area needs for new wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)s, and increase the treatment capacities of existing WWTPs at a given surface area. In addition, it may promote the development of movable/portable containerized MBRs for a diverse range of wastewater treatment applications. Applications may include the provision of municipal/industrial wastewater treatment in remote areas without sewerage, and the provision of sanitation services under challenging site-specific conditions such as after the occurrence of a human-made or a natural disaster. The reduction of the footprint requirements of MBRs is constrained by the maximum amount of biomass that can be accommodated in the aerobic basin. The biomass concentration is mainly limited by the extremely low oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) experienced by conventional aeration bubble diffuser systems at mixed liquor total suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations higher than 20 g L^-1. Another potential limitation for the operation of MBRs at such high MLSS concentrations is the reduction on the membrane permeability due to excessive fouling. A pilot MBR with a treatment capacity of one m³ d^-1 was installed at the research hall facilities at the Harnaschpolder wastewater treatment plant in Delft, The Netherlands. The MBR was operated at MLSS concentrations of up to 28 g L^-1 at sludge retention times (SRT)s ranging from 30 to 35 days. The MBR was provided with a Speece cone concentrated oxygen delivery system to overcome the oxygen transfer limitations of conventional bubble diffuser aeration systems at high MLSS concentrations. The MBR performance was evaluated by monitoring the influent and effluent water quality, the membrane permeability, the sludge filterability, the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and the oxygen uptake rate (OUR). The Speece cone proved to be effective in delivering enough oxygen to maintain DO concentrations in the MBR of approximately 2 mg L^-1 at MLSS concentrations of up to 22 g L^-1. OUR values above 200 mg L^-1 h^-1 were observed at 14 g L^-1 MLSS and higher than 300 mg L^-1 h^-1 at 22 g L^-1 MLSS. The MBR exhibited chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of up to 99% even at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) as low as 3.7 h. A reduction in permeability from 33 to 11 lmh bar^-1 was observed when the MLSS concentrations increased from 18.7 to 27.8 g L^-1. Sludge filterability values expressed as the added resistance (δR₂₀) fell in the range of "poor filterability" for all the evaluated operational conditions; however, a lower filtration resistance in the range of "moderate filterability" at approximately 23 g L^-1 MLSS was noticed. The experimental results suggest that at the evaluated experimental conditions the existent limitations on poor oxygen transfer and low permeability when operating a MBR at high MLSS concentrations can be overcome; therefore, the footprint requirements of MBR systems may be further reduced.

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An eSOS (emergency Sanitation Operation System) Smart Toilet experimental prototype, aimed at improving the provision of safe sanitation in emergency settings, was field tested in a temporary settlement in Tacloban City, Philippines. The design, usage, and user acceptance of the toilet were all evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through interviews and questionnaires, supported by the research-team’s observations. The survey results indicated that 98% of users (both first-time users and those who tried it a few times) intended to use the toilet again. There were more features that the users liked than disliked. The in-built water supply and user-operated smart toilet features were liked, but the bad smell was disliked. User-operated smart features were an important factor in user acceptance although they were not the main incentives. Key recommendations are to improve the toilet’s design to address the odor and cleanliness issues, make handwashing more convenient, and lower the height of the toilet bowl.

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Large volumes of sludge are produced from onsite sanitation systems in densely populated areas (e.g. slums and emergency settlements) and wastewater treatment facilities that contain high amounts of pathogens. There is a need for technological options which can effectively treat the rapidly accumulating sludge under these conditions. This study explored a pilot-scale microwave (MW) based reactor as a possible alternative for rapid sludge treatment. The reactor performance was examined by conducting a series of batch tests using centrifuged waste activated sludge (C-WAS), non-centrifuged waste activated sludge (WAS), faecal sludge (FS), and septic tank sludge (SS). Four kilograms of each sludge type were subjected to MW treatment at a power of 3.4 kW for various time durations ranging from 30 to 240 min. During the treatment the temperature change, bacteria inactivation (E. coli, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococcus faecalis) and sludge weight/volume reduction were measured. Calorific values (CV) of the dried sludge and the nutrient content (total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)) in both the dried sludge and the condensate were also determined. It was found that MW treatment was successful to achieve a complete bacterial inactivation and a sludge weight/volume reduction above 60%. Besides, the dried sludge and condensate had high energy (≥ 16 MJ/kg) and nutrient contents (solids; TN ≥ 28 mg/g TS and TP ≥ 15 mg/g TS; condensate TN ≥ 49 mg/L TS and TP ≥ 0.2 mg/L), having the potential to be used as biofuel, soil conditioner, fertilizer, etc. The MW reactor can be applied for the rapid treatment of sludge in areas such as slums and emergency settlements.

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Toilet facilities in highly dense areas such as the slum and emergency settlements fill up rapidly; thus, requiring frequent emptying. Consequently, big quantities of fresh faecal sludge (FS) containing large amounts of pathogens are generated. Fast and efficient FS treatment technologies are therefore required for safe treatment and disposal of the FS in such conditions. This study explores the applicability of a microwave (MW) technology for the treatment of fresh FS obtained from urine-diverting dry toilets placed in slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Two sample fractions containing 100 g and 200 g of FS were exposed to MW irradiation at three input MW power levels of 465, 1085 and 1550 W at different exposure times ranging from 0.5 to 14 min. The variation in the FS temperature, pathogen reduction via the destruction of E. coli and Ascaris lumbricoides eggs, and vol/wt reduction were measured during the MW treatment. It was demonstrated that the MW technology can rapidly and efficiently achieve complete reduction of E. coli and Ascaris lumbricoides eggs, and over 70% vol/wt reduction in the fresh FS. Furthermore, the successful evaluation of the MW technology under real field conditions demonstrated that MW irradiation can be applied for rapid treatment of fresh FS in situations such as urban slum and emergency conditions.

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Ultraviolet germicidal (short wavelength UV-C) light was studied as surface disinfectant in an Emergency Sanitation Operation System^® smart toilet to aid to the work of manual cleaning. The UV-C light was installed and regulated as a self-cleaning feature of the toilet, which automatically irradiate after each toilet use. Two experimental phases were conducted i.e. preparatory phase consists of tests under laboratory conditions and field testing phase. The laboratory UV test indicated that irradiation for 10 min with medium–low intensity of 0.15–0.4 W/m² could achieve 6.5 log removal of Escherichia coli. Field testing of the toilet under real usage found that UV-C irradiation was capable to inactivate total coliform at toilet surfaces within 167-cm distance from the UV-C lamp (UV-C dose between 1.88 and 2.74 mW). UV-C irradiation is most effective with the support of effective manual cleaning. Application of UV-C for surface disinfection in emergency toilets could potentially reduce public health risks.

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