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Research on Water, Wastewater Management Technologies and Environmental Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6155

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Process Engineering Department, International Maritime College Oman, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar 322, Oman
Interests: chemical and biochemical bioprocesses; water and wastewater management; bioelectrochemical systems; biosensors; biohydrogen; green desalination; pyrolysis; value-added product recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Process Engineering Department, International Maritime College Oman, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar 322, Oman
Interests: chemical and biochemical bioprocesses; environmental engineering; water and wastewater/sludge treatment; rheology; nanomaterials; carbon capture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The management of water and wastewater is a critical component of environmental sustainability, particularly given the increasing global demand for clean water and the pressing need to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. Research on water and wastewater management has grown significantly, driven by the need for innovative solutions that can ensure the availability of clean water while minimizing environmental impacts. As the sustainable management of water resources is crucial for addressing the global challenges of water scarcity, pollution, and climate change, this research area is at the intersection of environmental science, engineering, and policy, making it a vital field for sustainable development.

Given this background, this Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research that advances the knowledge and application of water and wastewater management technologies, with a focus on environmental sustainability. The subject aligns with the journal’s scope, which focuses on disseminating research that addresses critical environmental challenges through technological innovation and sustainable practices. By bringing together a diverse range of studies, this issue seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inspire new approaches to water management that contribute to global sustainability goals.

This Special Issue is therefore dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and technological innovations in water and wastewater management, with a focus on their role in promoting environmental sustainability. The scope of this issue includes a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to) the development of new treatment technologies, the optimization of existing systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and integrated water resource management approaches. The aim of this research collection is to bridge the gap between fundamental science and practical applications, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient water future.

The Special Issue welcomes contributions on various themes, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • The development and optimization of water and wastewater treatment technologies;
  • Resource recovery and recycling from wastewater;
  • Integrated water resource management approaches;
  • The impact of climate change on water systems and management strategies;
  • Policy and governance issues related to water sustainability.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the themes mentioned above.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Tahereh Jafary
Dr. Anteneh Mesfin Yeneneh
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water management
  • wastewater treatment
  • environmental sustainability
  • resource recovery
  • integrated water resources
  • climate resilience
  • water reuse
  • pollution control
  • sustainable development
  • water governance

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 920 KB  
Article
Drivers of Sustainable Infrastructure Investment in the Wastewater Sector: Dynamic Panel Data Evidence from Romania
by Mari-Isabella Stan, George Banghiore, Octavia Moise, Dragoș-Florian Vintilă, Diana-Doina Țenea, Dorin Jula, Elena Condrea and Kamer-Ainur Aivaz
Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11355; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411355 - 18 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 527
Abstract
This study investigates the complex interactions between operational and financial variables that influence infrastructure investment in Romania’s wastewater sector, a serious area for environmental sustainability and compliance with European environmental standards. Using a comprehensive dataset covering all regional water service operators, accounting for [...] Read more.
This study investigates the complex interactions between operational and financial variables that influence infrastructure investment in Romania’s wastewater sector, a serious area for environmental sustainability and compliance with European environmental standards. Using a comprehensive dataset covering all regional water service operators, accounting for over 90% of the country’s population, across the period 2012–2022, the analysis employs dynamic panel data methods to examine how treated wastewater volumes, operating expenditures, revenues, tariffs and the number of connected users shape investment decisions and the modernization of wastewater infrastructure. The results reveal strong links between operational performance and investment behavior, indicating that revenues from wastewater services and efficiency in organic pollutant removal (CBO5) are key determinants of capital investment. The findings further show that an expanding user base generates substantial investment needs, supporting the extension and upgrading of wastewater treatment networks. By combining a dynamic econometric framework with a comprehensive national sample, the study makes an original contribution to the literature by providing robust empirical evidence on the interaction between financial performance, operational efficiency and sustainability objectives in the wastewater sector. The results underscore the importance of good financial planning, strategic management and sustainable investment policies, and offer relevant insights for policymakers, utility operators and researchers concerned with improving wastewater infrastructure performance under current economic and environmental challenges. Full article
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18 pages, 2012 KB  
Article
Flood Analysis in Lower Filyos Basin Using HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS Software
by Berna Aksoy
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115220 - 5 Jun 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2378
Abstract
Flood events have become more frequent as a result of seasonal changes, global warming, and changes in sea level. In terms of basin management, it is necessary to know the hydrodynamics of the basin in order to produce faster solutions in emergency action [...] Read more.
Flood events have become more frequent as a result of seasonal changes, global warming, and changes in sea level. In terms of basin management, it is necessary to know the hydrodynamics of the basin in order to produce faster solutions in emergency action plans. The Filyos River is one of the two most important floodplains in the western Black Sea basin and has so far only been analyzed to a limited extent using modern hydrological and hydraulic models. In order to analyze the flood dynamics and determine the flood risks in the Filyos River. In this context, flood hydrographs, rainfall depths, peak flows, and excess water volumes were calculated for different return periods (2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years) using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and Hyfran Plus software. The analyses showed that the rainfall depth and peak flow rate increased significantly as the return period increased. It was also observed that although the volume of precipitation increased, the amount of water converted into surface runoff remained limited due to infiltration and other losses. The results of the study contribute to the identification of high flood-risk areas in the Filyos River basin, the improvement of flood prevention infrastructure, and the development of sustainable water management policies. Analyses using modeling tools such as HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS provide a scientific basis to help local governments and decision makers strengthen flood prevention strategies, update risk maps, and make emergency response plans more effective while making flood scenarios more reliable. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 1134 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in Scaling Up Microbial Fuel Cell Systems for Wastewater Treatment, Energy Recovery, and Environmental Sustainability
by Tahereh Jafary, Ali Mousavi, Anteneh Mesfin Yeneneh, Mohammed Saif Al-Kalbani and Buthaina Mahfoud Al-Wahaibi
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020638 - 8 Jan 2026
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2414 | Correction
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for simultaneously treating wastewater and recovering energy, yet scaling them from lab prototypes to practical systems poses persistent challenges. This review addresses the scale-up gap by systematically examining recent pilot-scale MFC studies from multiple perspectives, [...] Read more.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for simultaneously treating wastewater and recovering energy, yet scaling them from lab prototypes to practical systems poses persistent challenges. This review addresses the scale-up gap by systematically examining recent pilot-scale MFC studies from multiple perspectives, including reactor design configurations, materials innovations, treatment performance, energy recovery, and environmental impact. The findings show that pilot MFCs reliably achieve significant chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (often 50–90%), but power densities remain modest (typically 0.1–10 W m−3)—far below levels needed for major energy generation. Key engineering advances have improved performance; modular stacking maintains higher power output, low-cost electrodes and membranes reduce costs (with some efficiency trade-offs), and power-management strategies mitigate issues like cell reversal. Life cycle assessments indicate that while MFC systems can outperform conventional treatment in specific scenarios, overall sustainability gains depend on boosting energy yields and optimizing materials. The findings highlight common trade-offs and emerging strategies. By consolidating recent insights, a roadmap of design principles and research directions to advance MFC technology toward sustainable, energy-positive wastewater treatment was outlined. Full article
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