Wastewater biosolids as an environmentally sustainable resource: Keys to success

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J. LeBlanc ◽  
Conrad J. Allain ◽  
Peter J. Laughton
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
The Public ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Meaningful Communication

The paper traces the success of a large Canadian wastewater utility that has dealt with the issue of biosolids management and recycling to the extent that it now has more demand for its biosolids than it produces. The Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission's (GMSC) problem is not one of disposing of biosolids, but one of determining which product and uses will be best for the environment as well as being most sustainable and cost effective in the long term. Wastewater treatment and the management of the sludge or biosolids produced are global issues, with growing challenges, that must address the concerns of all of the stakeholders, including the facility administrators and operators, regulators and elected officials, the scientific community, wastewater generators, taxpayers and the general public. The failure to take into consideration the concerns of all of the stakeholders including the lack of meaningful communication with the public has resulted in predictable but preventable problems, including the banning of scientifically acceptable biosolids recycling options in different countries. Consequently, a successful and viable wastewater treatment and biosolids recycling management plan requires a "big picture" view and a sustainable approach, which takes into consideration the concerns of all stakeholders. The paper will deal with key issues to the success of an environmentally sustainable biosolids management programme.

Mitigation of emerging pollutants by plants

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Reinhold ◽  
N. Aryal
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Trace Concentrations

Low cost, sustainable technologies for addressing pollution of waters with trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are needed. Plant-based ecosystems for wastewater treatment are low-cost, effective technologies with the potential to address PPCPs. This abstract presents recent research examining the phytoremediation of PPCPs in both aquatic and terrestrial systems and discusses potential implications of phytoremediation of PPCPs. Research indicates that duckweed plants can stimulate microbial degradation of ibuprofen, sorb and uptake fluoxetine, and indirectly affect the fate of triclosan. Additionally, research indicates that food crops phytoaccumulate antimicrobials present in biosolids. The implications of these processes include mitigation of ecotoxicological risk from antimicrobial contamination of surface waters and soils with minimal risk to humans from consumption of phytoaccumulated antimicrobials. Additionally, plants may serve as a long-term reservoir for PPCPs in the environment.

scholarly journals Initiative for Promoting Affordable and Quality Tuberculosis Tests (IPAQT): a market-shaping intervention in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. e001539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harkesh Dabas ◽  
Sarang Deo ◽  
Manisha Sabharwal ◽  
Arnab Pal ◽  
Sachin Salim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
High Volume ◽  
High Price ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Market Shaping

A majority of patients with tuberculosis (TB) in India are diagnosed and treated in the private sector. Yet, most private providers do not use most recent WHO-endorsed microbiological tests such as liquid cultures, line probe assays and Xpert MTB/RIF due to a combination of factors such as lack of awareness, misaligned incentives and high prices that are unaffordable for patients. We designed a market-based approach to transform a high-price, low-volume market equilibrium into a low-price, high-volume equilibrium to improve the uptake of these tests. Toward this end, a non-profit consortium of private laboratories, called Initiative for Promoting Affordable and Quality Tuberculosis Tests (IPAQT) was formed in India in March 2013. It negotiated lower pricing on equipment and reagents with manufacturers, closer to that offered to the public sector. In return, IPAQT assured that this discount was passed on to patients, who typically paid for these tests out of their pockets, through an informally agreed on retail ceiling price. IPAQT also invested in demand generation activities that complemented the supply-side effort. IPAQT membership grew from 56 laboratories in 2013 to 211 in 2018. During this period, the initiative resulted in a 10-fold increase in the uptake of Xpert and a 30%–50% reduction in price. This initiative is planned to be expanded to other South Asian countries with similar TB epidemic and private market structure and dynamics. However, long-term sustainability of the initiative would require developing more cost-effective marketing activities and integration with broader private sector engagement agenda of the national TB programme.

Yoga and Healthcare in the United Kingdom

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Mason ◽  
Nicole Schnackenberg ◽  
Robin Monro
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
The Public ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Regional Hospitals

Abstract The emergence of yoga therapy in the United Kingdom began about 45 years ago with the emergence of yoga therapy organizations that offered both treatment and training. The integration of yoga into the National Health Service (NHS) is gradually happening Because: (a) yoga research supports its efficacy as a cost-effective, preventive and complementary treatment for a host of non-communicable diseases; and (b) the escalating economic burden of long-term conditions is overwhelming the NHS. The NHS is actively developing ‘sustainability and transformation plans’ that include yoga. Chief among these is ‘social prescribing,’ which empowers patients with complex health needs through activities groups. These activities reduce sedentary habits and social isolation, while helping patients to be more self-reliant. The NHS has allocated £450 million in funding to implement a variety of programs for its own staff, in which staff yoga classes were expressly mentioned. The yoga community is mobilizing forces and applying for funding to pilot relevant NHS staff yoga courses that can support the service in achieving its vision. Research shows that integrating yoga therapy for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) into the NHS would result in significant cost savings as compared with usual care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines on LBP and sciatica include yoga as one of the recommended treatments for these conditions. Three groups of yoga teachers, using different yoga practices, have gained traction with the NHS for the application of yoga therapy to LBP. Many regional hospitals in England have yoga classes. The NHS Choices website, which conveys information to the public regarding treatment options, has a page dedicated to the health benefits of yoga. Several institutions offer comprehensive training programs in yoga therapy and yoga therapy is recognized as an official profession. The Yoga in Healthcare Alliance has been established to help integrate yoga therapy into the NHS. This consists of parliamentarians, leaders in the NHS, yoga researchers, health professionals, and representatives from leading yoga organizations.

scholarly journals The Expansion of Lignocellulose Biomass Conversion Into Bioenergy via Nanobiotechnology

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Revathy Sankaran ◽  
Kalaimani Markandan ◽  
Kuan Shiong Khoo ◽  
Chin Kui Cheng ◽  
Veeramuthu Ashokkumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lignocellulosic Biomass ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Economic Progress ◽  
Development Tools ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Lignocellulose Biomass

Lignocellulosic biomass has arisen as a solution to our energy and environmental challenges because it is rich in feedstock that can be converted to biofuels. Converting lignocellulosic biomass to sugar is a complicated system involved in the bioconversion process. There are indeed a variety of techniques that have been utilized in the bioconversion process consisting of physical, chemical, and biological approaches. However, most of them have drawbacks when used on a large scale, which include the high cost of processing, the development of harmful inhibitors, and the detoxification of the inhibitors that have been produced. These constraints, taken together, hinder the effectiveness of current solutions and demand for the invention of a new, productive, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable technique for LB processing. In this context, the approach of nanotechnology utilizing various nanomaterials and nanoparticles in treating lignocellulose biomass and bioenergy conversion has achieved increased interest and has been explored greatly in recent times. This mini review delves into the application of nanotechnological techniques in the bioconversion of lignocellulose biomass into bioenergy. This review on nanotechnological application in biomass conversion provides insights and development tools for the expansion of new sectors, resulting in excellent value and productivity, contributing to the long-term economic progress.

Children in hoarded homes: A call for protection, prevention, intervention and compassionate care

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-192
Author(s):  
Suzanne Chabaud
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Family System ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Early Assessment ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Hoarding Disorder ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
The Many

Abstract This is a call for action to protect and assist children of hoarding parents. Action that minimises harm to children living in hoarded homes also promotes family safety and health. Optimal care involves the whole family system, both children and parents. Prevention of harm through early identification and intervention for hoarding can reduce the burden of a disorder that often increases in severity over a lifetime and deprives humans of a full and safe life. Helping children and their parents severely affected by hoarding disorder is for the public good. Public policy and funded programmes can reduce long-term and immense costs to children, families and the many systems hoarding affects. Specifically, public policy can facilitate and fund outreach, education, coordination of providers of health, social and public services, and research-driven methods for assessment and intervention on behalf of children, individuals and families. Releasing people from the grips of hoarding disorder can enable them to devote generative resources to themselves, their families and their communities. Ultimately, prevention of hoarding through early assessment and intervention for minors and young adults is the most efficient, long-term and cost-effective method for minimising harm. When unidentified, hoarding disorder intensifies, people go into hiding, risk increases and opportunity for detection and intervention decreases. Informing the public about hoarding disorder must be followed with sufficient resources to address it, otherwise, helplessness ensues, and people will likely remain in the hidden world it governs.

Occurrence of Pesticides and Their Removal From Aquatic Medium by Adsorption

2019 ◽  
pp. 257-279
Author(s):  
Irfan Rashid Sofi ◽  
Rayees Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Rabia Quadir ◽  
Javid Manzoor
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Physiochemical Properties ◽  
The Public ◽  
High Adsorption Capacity

Large amounts of pesticides are used annually, and in some cases, a part of the pesticide enters the water bodies by surface runoff to form long-term residues. In the recent past, the adverse effects of pesticides on the environment and human health received serious attention by the public and the competent authorities. Various conventional methods are used to remove these pesticides from water, but those methods are either costly or typical in operation. Therefore, adsorption is considered as an ecofriendly method. The adsorbent derived from biomaterial is considered an encouraging adsorbent due to its cost-effective and high adsorption capacity. In this chapter, detailed information on different types of pesticides, their metabolites, environmental concerns, and present status on degradation methods using adsorbents will be reviewed. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview on the recent advancement in the utilization of different adsorbents for the removal of pesticides. Overall, this study assists researchers to move forward in exploring a simple and economically viable technique to produce adsorbents with outstanding physiochemical properties and excellent adsorption capacity, so that the pesticides can be removed from aquatic ecosystem.

Pollution reduction at wastewater treatment facilities through thermophilic sludge digestion

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Zhou ◽  
D.S. Mavinic
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sludge Disposal ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Treatment Facilities ◽  
Thermophilic Digestion

Wastewater treatment facilities produce large amounts of sludge, which is a pollutant to the environment if not properly managed. Among the three most common methods (landfills, land application, incineration) of sludge disposal, thermophilic digestion to produce Class-A biosolids for land application is recognized as the most cost-effective, environmentally sustainable option. Full-scale experience revealed that thermophilically digested biosolids consumed a higher dosage of chemicals for conditioning and dewatering than conventionally (mesophilically) digested biosolids. This paper presents findings of a recent study to investigate how major operational parameters affect dewatering properties of thermophilically digested biosolids, and to search for the inter-relationship between digestion, characteristics of digested biosolids, and dewatering properties of thermophilic biosolids. Experimental work was carried out using bench-scale aerobic digesters. This study found that feed sludge composition has a significant effect on dewaterability. A higher content of secondary sludge resulted in poorer dewaterability in undigested and digested sludge. Dewatering properties are sensitive to a temperature effect. Such an effect is physical-chemical in nature. Excessive high shear results in significant deterioration in dewaterability. Thermophilic digestion resulted in a substantial increase in ammonia and phosphate concentrations, but these two factors seem to not have much impact on dewaterability. Instead, cellular biopolymers have a significant role in affecting dewatering properties of thermophilically digested biosolids.

Risk-based coating maintenance: an integrated program

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Egil Lillerovde ◽  
Bill Sullivan ◽  
Arvind Chetty
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Passive Fire Protection ◽  
Maintenance Plan

The integration of a cost-effective coating management plan into an asset integrity system is essential in ensuring asset longevity. The success of any corrosion management program relies on condition monitoring and quality auditing. Monitoring activities also contribute to maintenance plan feedback ensuring continuous improvement in corrosion management activities. It is recognised that there are many ways to organise and operate successful corrosion management programs, each of which is asset specific and depends on factors such as: Design. Stage in the life cycle. Process conditions. Operational history. AGR defines corrosion management as: “…the part of the overall management system that is concerned with the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the corrosion policy.” AGR corrosion management programs use a combination of risk-based Inspection technologies and traditional restorative maintenance activities. SOLVTM, a unique product from AGR Field Operations, is used for the management of fabric maintenance (surface coatings, insulation, passive fire protection, pipe and cable penetrations).Long-term plans: 5-year plans or longer based on client requirements. Prioritising areas and recommended maintenance intervals. Cost estimates and scope of work. Estimated condition development. Application: Treatment of component surfaces (coatings). Passive fire protection. Quality control. The benefits of the SOLVTM concept can be summarised as: Information regarding condition of maintenance objects. Preparation of fixed price maintenance plan and workpacks. Condition control through survey and audit. Cost control via quantified scope. Maintenance budget inputs for 5-year plan. Documented cost savings of 20–50 % have been realised where SOLVTM has been introduced and been used for long-term corrosion management.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of prison system development - comparison of the European countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Elina Kruze ◽  
Janis Priede
Keyword(s):  
System Development ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Prison System ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
The Public ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Former Prisoners ◽  
Support Mechanisms

The possibility to achieve successful resocialization of former prisoners back into society is an ongoing public debate, making it challenging for policymakers to implement prisoner rehabilitation programs capable of maintaining the public safety while allocating public funds in the most efficient way. The main aim of this study is to examine what is necessary for an investment in prison system development to be justified. The hypothesis of this study suggests that such investment can be cost-effective by reducing crime and recidivism rates in the long term by ensuring proper rehabilitation of prisoners. Accordingly, this research compares various European countries regarding their imprisonment standards and costs in order to conclude which countries operate in the most effective way and what is crucial to obtain a decrease in the reoffending rates. The key results suggest that it is possible to find a correlation between such variables as the imprisonment costs, incarceration rates and the recidivism rates. It is possible to draw parallels between the amount of money countries spend on one prisoner a year and the recidivism rates of such countries, suggesting that the reoffending rates can be reduced by increasing the amount of resources allocated for the improvement of prisoner’s lives. Furthermore, such an investment should not only take the form of establishment of a proper environment for successful rehabilitation – prisoners should be provided with education and work possibilities to prepare them for life outside the prison walls. Moreover, the study highlights the need for post-release support mechanisms capable of re-integrating former convicts back into society, since such mechanisms could reduce the likelihood of re-offending.  

scholarly journals THE BEACH REHABILITATION PROJECT AT OSTEND-BELGIUM

1988 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
R. Simoen ◽  
H. Verslype ◽  
D. Vandenbossche
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Economic Incentive ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Recreational Facilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Gravel Beach

Steady erosion has occured on the beaches at Ostend, Belgium, especially on the section between the Casino and the Harbour Entrance. The gravel beach supported by a sandfill core has been proven to be a feasible and cost effective flood protection alternative, the first objective of the long term beach enhancement programme. Secondary goals are also met such as : new beach recreational facilities in safe conditions for the public ; the economic incentive for the needed redevelopment of this part of down-town Ostend and the beach front ; the conservation of the present sea-view from the promenade.

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