Development of technology eliminating micropollutants and antibiotic resistance genes input into the environment and the human organism

Main goals:

Design a unit for removing micropollutants and antibiotic resistance genes from small water sources of drinking and wastewater.

Abstract:

The project responds to two global problems: the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the general pollution of the environment by micropollutants (drug and pesticide residues). The growth of antibiotic resistance is a complex problem and these days it is one of the greatest civilization threat. Many micropollutants have already been shown to have negative effects on aquatic and soil organisms that can significantly disrupt the affected ecosystem. This contamination can have a direct and indirect impact on human health. The micropollutants are commonly found in wastewaters, however, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were not designed to remove them. Treated wastewater is a potential source of water for further application, but care must be taken to avoid the spread and accumulation of ARGs and micropollutants, e.g. by using contaminated water for crop watering. The Czech Republic will have to adapt in the near future to new Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum requirements for water reuse, which is currently under preparation. The main objective of this Regulation is to mitigate the causes and consequences of water scarcity throughout the EU. This project focuses on the treatment of wastewater from smaller local sources, such as a small WWTP or recreational facility with a domestic treatment plant, with the aim of potential reuse of these waters for utility purposes. Furthermore, the system will be optimized for the recovery of local underground sources of drinking water contaminated with pesticides from agricultural activities. This enables to use it in areas with a lack of (high-)quality water for housing, recreation, and services.