In the wake of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, pollution and scarcity of water resources are becoming more serious concerns than ever. To increase sustainability, water must be used efficiently and multiple times by cascading from higher to lower quality needs. This emerging paradigm requires establishing autonomous and decentralised water recycling systems in which diverse water resources are created, conserved and utilized effectively.
This was the crux of a two-day international workshop entitled ‘Technological Advances & Challenges in Water Reclamation & Reuse’, which concluded here at School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) on Friday. Eminent scholars from within and outside the country attended the event.
Dr Samar Mubarakmand graced the occasion as the chief guest during the inaugural session of the workshop. Addressing the gathering, he said that the population growth rate in Pakistan is very high, which has direct impact on the water sector for meeting the domestic, industrial and agricultural needs. He further said that industrial and domestic water occupying the major portion of total water demand could be provided by high grade reclaimed wastewater using advanced technology. It is essential, he maintained, that reclaimed water satisfies physical, chemical and microbiological quality relative to reuse type.
Earlier, the NUST rector said that Pakistan was rapidly depleting its available water resources and was 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 the water availability, he added. He said it was imperative that Pakistan should improve efficiency in meeting the challenges regarding water reclamation and its reuse.
Prof Roger Ben Aim was of the view that membrane processes were regarded as a positive advancement in wastewater treatment ensuring increased water reclamation and reuse. “The main advantages of this technology are no chemical requirement, relatively low energy consumption and a lower footprint. Although its use has been increased in the recent past there is, however, a need to enhance the level of knowledge and expertise pertaining to the technology,’ he added.
Professor C Visvanathan, Dr Parneet Paul, Dr Nick Hankins and Dr Sher Jamal Khan, Dr. Zahir-ud-Din Khan and Dr Imran Hashmi also spoke on the occasion.
Experts voice concern over water depletion
