Research Area: Resource Recovery

Our Objective

Transition the wastewater treatment industry to one focused on resource recovery (starting with nutrients) with the vision that most, if not all, materials in wastewater can be commoditized. Wastewater is a renewable resource. Get the related report.

 

Latest News

European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform - November 2016 SCOPE Newsletter
Highlighted news topics include new policy proposals, phosphorus research updates, and upcoming events.
Understanding the Impacts of Low-Energy and Low-Carbon Nitrogen Removal Technologies on Bio-P and Nutrient Recovery Processes (NTRY13R16)
WE&RF has awarded a contract to Northwestern University to study design and operational impacts of incorporating enhanced biological phosphorus removal (Bio-P) or other phosphorus recovery techniques with a low-energy, low-carbon nitrogen removal process at WRRFs.
Unintended Consequences of Resource Recovery on Overall Plant Performance: Solving the Impacts on Dewaterability Properties (NTRY12R16)
In order to assure the viability of Bio-P, WE&RF has entered into a contract with Bucknell University to determine if this phenomenon is more widespread, and to better understand and address dewaterability performance and its impact on Bio-P and P-recovery.
White Paper on Groundwater Replenishment with Recycled Water on Agricultural Lands (Reuse-16-03)
WE&RF has selected RMC Water and Environment to draft a White Paper that will investigate various aspects of existing regulatory frameworks as they may be applied to groundwater replenishment with recycled water on agricultural lands (Ag-GWR-RW) and consider alternative methods to meet the intent of those regulations.
Resiliency Newsletter
Learn more about the latest research updates, innovations, and opportunities to participate in WE&RF's Resiliency research.

Products & Tools

Production of Bioisoprene from Wastewater (NTRY6R14)
This study examined a way to generate high-value products that can help transition wastewater treatment facilities into economically viable resource recovery facilities.
Advancing Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Solids and Food Waste for Energy and Resource Recovery: Science and Solutions – A Framework for the Practice of Co-Digestion (ENER20W17)
Report describes co-digestion at municipal water resource recovery facilities that use domestic wastewater residuals as one of its feed materials.
Assessing Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions from Biofilm Systems (U2R10)
Addresses the formation of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas that’s formed in wastewater treatment biofilm processes.
Manure Resource Recovery Co-Digestion with Fats, Oil, and Grease (STAR_N3R14a)
Research investigates the ability to increase biomethane production in co-digestion of manure waste with the addition of a long chain fatty acid (LCFA) in laboratory digesters.
Beyond Nutrients: Recovering Carbon and Other Commodity Products from Wastewater (NTRY3R13)
Evaluates the feasibility of recovering non-nutrient commodity product categories including volatile fatty acids (VFAs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), alcohols, and the inorganic products hydrogen peroxide and caustic (sodium hydroxide) from wastewater.