Water scarcity: Reuse water multiple times to solve problem

Urbanisation, industrialisation blamed for worsening water crisis.

ISLAMABAD:

Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation are responsible for the increasing pollution and scarcity of water. One possible solution to the crisis is to use it efficiently, such as reusing water multiple times by cascading it from higher to lower quality needs.

This was the crux of a two-day international workshop on “Technological Advances & Challenges in Water Reclamation & Reuse” at School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) on Friday.

Scholars from within and outside the country attended the event.

“Pakistan is on the verge of becoming a water-scarce country. Untreated wastewaters from various industrial and domestic sources are not only contaminating open water bodies and groundwater resources but also reducing water availability,” said NUST’s rector in his opening remarks.

Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the chief guest, said that the population growth rate in Pakistan is very high, making it hard to meet domestic, industrial and agricultural water needs.

Even then, the industrial and domestic water needs, which occupy the major portion of total water demand, could be met by high-grade reclaimed wastewater, he said.

But, he said, it is essential that reclaimed water satisfies physical, chemical and microbiological quality needs of its intended use.

Prof Roger Ben Aim said that membrane processes are regarded as a positive advancement in wastewater treatment ensuring increased water reclamation and reuse.

The main advantages of this technology are no chemical requirements, relatively low energy consumption and a lower footprint.

Although it has been increasingly used recently, he said there is a need to enhance the level of knowledge and expertise pertaining to the technology. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2011.