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Urban Science
Special Issues
Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization
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Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization

A Special Issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851) belonging to the section "Urban Environment and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2027 | Viewed by 6740

Editors

Prof. Dr. Anish Jantrania

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, Scoates Hall, 333 Spence St Suite 201 2117, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Interests: sustainable and integrated water infrastructure; wastewater treatment and reuse; desalination—groundwater and seawater; cost analysis, pricing, and water economics; regulatory framework for water quality and supply
Dr. June E. Wolfe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research & Extension Center, 720 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502, USA
Interests: water resource conservation and management; wastewater microbiology; water quality; wastewater treatment and reuse; flood forecasting and modeling
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Srivastava

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, Scoates Hall, 333 Spence St Suite 201 2117, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Interests: water resources management; soil–water–plant relationship; hydroinformatics; climate change mitigations and adaptations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of sustainable urban development. As urban populations continue to grow, the volume of wastewater generated will increase, posing challenges for both infrastructure and the environment. Additionally, climate change exacerbates these challenges by affecting water availability and quality, making efficient wastewater management even more crucial. Traditional wastewater treatment methods often fall short in addressing these issues, leading to environmental pollution and resource wastage. Recent advancements in technology have opened new avenues for not only treating wastewater more effectively but also for recovering valuable resources such as clean water, nutrients, carbon, minerals, and energy. This research area is crucial for promoting a circular economy, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the sustainability of urban environments.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore innovative solutions for urban wastewater treatment and resource recovery. By focusing on cutting-edge research and practical applications, this Special Issue seeks to highlight the potential for transforming wastewater into valuable resources such as biogas, fertilizers, and clean water. This subject aligns with the scope of the Urban Science journal, which emphasizes interdisciplinary research and sustainable urban development. By addressing the challenges and opportunities in urban wastewater management, this Special Issue will contribute to the journal’s mission of advancing knowledge and solutions for sustainable urban living.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following themes:

  • Advanced treatment and reuse techniques for wastewater;
  • Biogas and resource recovery production from biosolids (i.e., sludge);
  • Irrigation specific to the reuse of treated wastewater;
  • Smart integration of wastewater systems with water systems (i.e., integrated water infrastructure);
  • Life cycle cost assessment of wastewater treatment and reuse systems;
  • Comparative analysis of global wastewater policies and economics;
  • Real-time monitoring of wastewater systems operations and water quality;
  • Innovative technologies for urban wastewater treatment;
  • Resource recovery from wastewater;
  • Reuse of treated wastewater;
  • Integration with urban water infrastructure;
  • Environmental, economic, and social impacts;
  • Policy and regulatory frameworks;
  • Monitoring and modeling of urban wastewater systems;
  • BILD Water Systems (Building Infrastructure for Local Distributed Water Systems).

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Anish Jantrania
Dr. June E. Wolfe
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Srivastava
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Urban Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • urban wastewater treatment
  • resource recovery
  • wastewater reuse
  • sustainable urban development
  • circular economy
  • innovative technologies
  • economic benefits
  • social impact
  • policy and regulation
  • monitoring and modeling
  • water quality
  • wastewater management

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 3736 KB  
Article
Potentials of Different Water-Storage Mats Treating Greywater from a Canteen: From Laboratory to Pilot-Scale Testing
by Khaja Zillur Rahman, Emilia Engelhardt, Jens Mählmann, Michael Blumberg, Katy Bernhard, Roland A. Müller and Lucie Moeller
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(7), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10070361 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Water scarcity is an increasingly urgent global challenge, prompting the development of new water purification technologies that surpass conventional solutions. Decentralized greywater treatment is emerging as a viable option for enhancing water reuse in multifunctional systems that contribute to microclimate regulation, cooling, and [...] Read more.
Water scarcity is an increasingly urgent global challenge, prompting the development of new water purification technologies that surpass conventional solutions. Decentralized greywater treatment is emerging as a viable option for enhancing water reuse in multifunctional systems that contribute to microclimate regulation, cooling, and urban climate adaptation. In this context, water-storage mats have been identified as a form of decentralized, roof-based biofilter for greywater treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of newly developed, innovative, bio-based textile mats and assess their effectiveness in treating pre-treated greywater from a canteen (CGW) with a high organic content, in both laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments. The findings from the lab-scale testing revealed that the mats made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabric materials had the highest water storage capacity and dried out more slowly in outdoor conditions than mats made from polylactide (PLA) spunbonded fabric and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) spunbonded nonwoven fabric. The PET hydroentangled nonwoven fabric mat (PET-WS) performed better than the other sample mats in the lab-scale experiment, and also outperformed the PHA mat consistently in the pilot-scale experiment when treating CGW. Apparent reductions in the concentration of the macro-pollutant parameters were observed at the outflow of the PET-WS mat compared to the inflow (p < 0.05) at the pilot-scale. Mean concentration reductions were comparatively higher for the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total suspended solids (TSS), with mean reductions of 64%, 54%, 39% and 60%, respectively. This indicated the superior treatment performance of the PET-WS mat compared to the PHA mat, with mean reductions of only 36%, 25%, 6%, and 32%, respectively. However, the lower E. coli counts of 1.1 and 0.5 log reduction for the PET-WS and PHA mats, respectively, indicated that an additional disinfection unit was necessary. The findings of this study may help to determine the performance, stability and reliability of using lightweight, nonwoven fabric mats to treat high-strength GW, which is currently considered as an intermediate treatment step. The study also provides recommendations for process optimization. Additional post-treatment steps are required to produce high-quality treated effluent for non-potable reuse, particularly in urban areas facing high water scarcity, provided that the relevant reuse regulations or discharge criteria are met. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization)
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Review

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25 pages, 1991 KB  
Review
Removal of Fluoride Anions and Chromium (VI) from Water and Urban Wastewater by Coagulation: Emphasis on Public Health
by Sanjay Kay Sagar, Sabrina Sorlini, Satesh Kumar Devrajani and Athanasia K. Tolkou
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050262 - 11 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1197
Abstract
Coagulation-based technologies are increasingly recognized as key for controlling fluoride and hexavalent chromium in urban water and wastewater. Combined geogenic and industrial sources often drive chronic exposure and create an underrecognized public health burden. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the occurrence, speciation, [...] Read more.
Coagulation-based technologies are increasingly recognized as key for controlling fluoride and hexavalent chromium in urban water and wastewater. Combined geogenic and industrial sources often drive chronic exposure and create an underrecognized public health burden. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the occurrence, speciation, and toxicology of F− and Cr(VI) in urban systems, links regulatory targets to health outcomes, and critically examines conventional, advanced, and electrochemical coagulation processes for their removal under realistic water-quality conditions. Mechanistic sections describe how aluminum-, iron-, magnesium- and zirconium-based coagulants, including pre-polymerized and composite formulations (e.g., IPC-type coagulants, PSiFAC-Mg, ZrCl4), remove fluoride via Al–F complexation, Al–F–OH co-precipitation, ion exchange, and sweep flocculation, while Cr(VI) control relies on Fe(II)-mediated reduction to Cr(III), followed by adsorption and co-precipitation with metal hydroxides. The review assesses how water chemistry and operating conditions affect single- and multi-contaminant removal, highlighting competition among fluoride, Cr(VI), nutrients, and other oxyanions. Performance data from bench-, pilot-, and selected full-scale studies show that optimized coagulation and electrocoagulation can substantially reduce fluoride and Cr(VI) (to drinking-water-relevant levels) in diverse urban waters, but also reveal persistent issues of sludge generation and stability, residual metals, process robustness, and cost. The review identifies priorities, including long-term urban-scale assessments, low-toxicity green coagulants, life-cycle and health impact assessments, and real-time coagulation control for fluoride and Cr(VI). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization)
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17 pages, 867 KB  
Review
Sustainable Water and Waste Systems for Resilient Housing in Canada
by Rakesh Kumar, Alex Dekin, Madelaine Prince, Thomas Froese and Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10020109 - 10 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1280
Abstract
Sustainable water and solid waste systems are critical components of resilient building design, essential for addressing climate change, rapid urbanization, and resource scarcity. This study adopts a narrative and integrative review approach to synthesize contemporary practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks, with a [...] Read more.
Sustainable water and solid waste systems are critical components of resilient building design, essential for addressing climate change, rapid urbanization, and resource scarcity. This study adopts a narrative and integrative review approach to synthesize contemporary practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks, with a particular focus on the Canadian and British Columbia context. Even though Canada possesses about 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves, relatively high per capita consumption (the average is 286 L per day in British Columbia) and rising demand underscore the urgent need for conservation-oriented policies. This research explores decentralized strategies such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and on-site treatment to alleviate pressure on aging municipal infrastructure. It explores sustainable waste management by focusing on source separation, diversion programs, and the shift toward a circular economy. It emphasizes that achieving long-term sustainability in residential building requires addressing issues of equity, governance, and the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge. The findings indicate that a comprehensive approach, which includes innovative technologies, behavioral changes, supportive policies, and code updates, is essential for creating equitable and environmentally responsible systems in residential buildings. The key contribution of this review is its assessment of system thinking, focusing on technical performance, environmental resilience, governance, and equity, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches over isolated technological solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization)
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55 pages, 1969 KB  
Review
Toward Circular and Sustainable Urban Wastewater Treatment: Integrating Adsorption and Advanced Oxidation Processes
by Despina A. Gkika, Dimitra K. Toubanaki, Anna A. Thysiadou, George Z. Kyzas and Athanasia K. Tolkou
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10010025 - 2 Jan 2026
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
Wastewater treatment is fundamental to sustainable urban development, and recent European legislation now requires quaternary treatment of final effluent at wastewater treatment plants. Among the technologies evaluated for this purpose, adsorption and Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have demonstrated the highest removal efficiencies, and [...] Read more.
Wastewater treatment is fundamental to sustainable urban development, and recent European legislation now requires quaternary treatment of final effluent at wastewater treatment plants. Among the technologies evaluated for this purpose, adsorption and Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have demonstrated the highest removal efficiencies, and the ongoing shift toward more circular and sustainable urban wastewater management, positioning them as two of the most strategically significant technologies in the field. Quaternary treatments with ozonation and activated carbon adsorption (PAC/GAC) achieve median micropollutant removal above 80%. GAC is generally associated with the highest costs, followed by PAC and ozonation, typically in the range of approximately 0.035 to 0.3 € per cubic meter in European settings. This review presents a systematic comparison of adsorption and AOPs for the removal of urban wastewater pollutants, with emphasis on removal efficiency, energy requirements, carbon footprint, and operational limitations. It delineates the conditions under which each technology demonstrates superior performance and highlights its complementary strengths across different contaminant groups and treatment objectives. Beyond conventional performance indicators, the review frames these technologies as key enablers of circular wastewater treatment through material regeneration, resource recovery, and process integration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solutions for Urban Wastewater Management and Resource Utilization)
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