Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management: Challenges, Innovations, and Lessons from Global Case Studies

Abstract

This review article synthesizes diverse research works addressing the critical issues surrounding water and wastewater management on a global scale. We analyzed the challenges, innovations, and valuable lessons learned from these studies, providing a holistic view of sustainable water and wastewater management practices. The paper begins by examining the challenges of population growth, climate change, pollution, and emerging contaminants. It discusses the importance of public awareness, waste disposal management, and water conservation in mitigating these challenges. Furthermore, the review explores the concept of green infrastructure in wastewater treatment, highlighting various technologies such as anaerobic digestion, membrane filtration, and nutrient recovery. It presents case studies of successful implementations of green infrastructure in water and wastewater treatment facilities, showcasing environmental, social, and economic benefits. In contrast, the paper delves into case studies of unsuccessful projects, offering insights into their failures, including improper planning, inadequate funding, weak regulatory frameworks, and insufficient governance structures. This research review article underscores the importance of tailored, site-specific approaches to wastewater management, emphasizing the need for collaboration, public engagement, and training programs. It concludes by offering recommendations for sustainable wastewater management in diverse socio-cultural and environmental contexts.

Keywords

• sustainable water management
• wastewater treatment
• water pollution
• green infrastructure
• emerging contaminants
• water conservation