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Description
Micropollutants and their metabolites enter the aquatic environment from a variety of sources with the main sources of contamination being sewage, agricultural effluents and even recycled municipal wastewater for parks and gardens. The project will prepare and analyze carbonaceous sorbents based on biochar and other selected carbon compounds. Furthermore, a treatment unit will be designed for final purification and disinfection of wastewater from selected micropollutants. This pilot unit will subsequently be installed as a pilot plant at the Příbram WWTP which is connected to 2 medical facilities and at the Ostrava WWTP.
Summary of project results
In this project, our primary focus was to address the growing issue of surface water pollution caused by pharmaceutical residues. Even after wastewater undergoes standard treatment processes, trace amounts of these drug compounds remain, as current technologies at most wastewater treatment plants are insufficient to fully eliminate them. Consequently, these residual pharmaceuticals find their way into both surface and drinking water, posing potential risks to the environment and public health.
Our project aimed to tackle this problem head-on by developing an advanced water purification unit. This unit will incorporate multiple cutting-edge treatment technologies, specifically designed to remove over 80% of pharmaceutical residues from the water. By employing a combination of methods, we hope to greatly enhance the efficiency of the filtration process, going beyond what is currently achievable in most wastewater treatment facilities.
One of the key objectives of the project was not only to develop this technology but also to assess its real-world impact. We anticipate that the implementation of this purification unit will directly benefit around 100,000 residents, improving the quality of their water and helping to safeguard the broader ecosystem from the harmful effects of pharmaceutical contamination. Through this innovative solution, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to cleaner, safer water for all.
As part of the project, we selected the most suitable cleaning technologies and developed their optimal combinations, which we initially tested in a laboratory setting. After successful lab trials, we applied these combinations—composed of carbon sorbents and ultrafiltration membranes—during a pilot operation of a semi-operational cleaning unit at the Ostrava wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In addition to this, the unit was also used to treat wastewater from the Příbram WWTP. The trial run demonstrated that the cleaning unit was highly effective in removing selected pharmaceutical residues from the water.
A key component of the project was raising public awareness about water pollution, especially the issue of drug residues and the modern technologies available to remove them. To achieve this, we organized a series of promotional events aimed at educating the general public on these critical environmental issues.
Developing and improving new technologies that address environmental challenges is essential if we are to ensure a sustainable future for life on our planet. This project represents a significant step forward in our efforts to combat water pollution and contribute to the preservation of clean water resources.
As part of the project, we developed a specialized device for the production of carbon-based sorbents, including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and holey graphene oxide. This device enabled us to prepare the necessary quantities of these advanced materials for pilot testing. Additionally, we designed a purification unit controlled by artificial intelligence, which achieved an impressive purification efficiency of over 85.5% in removing selected pharmaceutical residues from wastewater. Beyond pharmaceuticals, the unit was also effective in eliminating resistant viruses, bacteria, various drugs, and microplastics.
The volume of treated wastewater was carefully monitored using flow meters, and the purified water plays a particularly important role in supporting the ecosystem of the Odra River basin. The clean water benefits not only the local environment but also the residents of nearby gardening and cottage colonies along the river, who rely heavily on commercial water for agricultural activities.
This innovative solution addresses both environmental and public health challenges, contributing to cleaner water resources and promoting sustainable water use in the region.
The project was important for improving the quality of domestic water in the Odra river basin with a focus on the surroundings of the city of Ostrava as treated wastewater from residual drugs using our treatment unit was discharged into the Odra river and thus the entire ecosystem of the Odra basin was improved. The cleaning unit was controlled using artificial intelligence remotely which makes it a unique device. The subsequent use of the treatment unit can also be applied to other WWTPs and can thus improve the quality of service water in other regions.