Search Results (302)

The treatment of wastewater and the utilization of the by-products of these processes are an important part of the circular economy. The sewage sludge, a result of wastewater treatment, could be used as a material for plant nutrient supply and/or soil-improving products. The city of Nyíregyháza, Hungary, with 120,000 citizens, has a well-planned water treatment plant operated by Nyírségvíz Ltd., which, in cooperation with the Research Institute of Nyíregyháza, developed a municipal sewage sludge compost (SSC). The closed loop of sewage water treatment and the agricultural utilization of its by-product has been developed and managed. The compost product called Nyírkomposzt was planned for acidic sandy soils. Beyond the agronomic benefits, the sustainable and environmentally sound utilization of SSC reduces sewage sludge disposal. This active involvement of a water utility company demonstrates the potential of cross-sectoral cooperation in solving environmental problems. The quality of the compost fits the Hungarian legislation. To study the effects of 0, 9, 18, and 27 t ha⁻¹ doses of compost on acidic sandy soil, a long-term small plot experiment was started in 2003. The cumulative effects of the regular (every third year, last treatment before sampling in 2021) application of the SSC showed positive changes in basic soil properties, depending on the doses used. Increasing values were found in the case of pH from 4.5 to 6, plant available P₂O₅ from 240 to 690 ppm, and plant available K₂O from 180 to 200 ppm. The plant-available zinc and copper content also increased. Soil organic matter and total N content stabilized at around 0.9% and 0.08%, respectively. The grain yields of winter rye also increased in both investigated years. The yields of 18 t ha⁻¹ treatment were about two times higher compared to the control, but only in 2022 was the difference significant. Our findings underscore the potential of well-planned SSC applications to improve the fertility of ploughed, acidic sandy soil, taking into account the theory of the circular economy by utilizing wastes and decreasing landfilling. Full article

This study applies the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method combined with entropy-based weighting to systematically rank Serbian municipalities regarding economic vitality, infrastructure quality, and socio-economic stability. By developing a composite municipal performance index, the research explores the extent to which stronger economic standings relate to public safety outcomes. Infrastructure factors—including road conditions, housing quality, and water supply—are assessed through correlation and t-tests to evaluate their influence on municipal economic rankings. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model also examines how education and health expenditures per capita contribute to broader socio-economic resilience. The findings reveal a moderately strong, though nonlinear, negative relationship between economic performance and crime rates, with road infrastructure emerging as a consistently significant driver of economic strength. Investments in education and health initially correlate with greater municipal stability but show signs of diminishing marginal impact over time. These insights contribute to understanding the complex interplay between governance, infrastructure, and safety in transitional economies, highlighting the value of integrated data-driven approaches for regional development planning. Full article

This study investigated the presence and concentration of selected phthalates in municipal tap waters and purified waters sourced from domestic water purifiers and municipal reverse osmosis-based supplies. Five target compounds: Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), Butyl octyl phthalate (BOP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were identified and quantified in the samples using the solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) method. The analytical protocol demonstrated good sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, with low limits of detection and quantification, making it suitable for routine monitoring applications. Phthalates were detected in all samples, including both inlet and treated water, highlighting their widespread occurrence. The results show a significant percentage of reduction in total phthalate concentrations (from 4% to 53%; 30% on average) in purified water samples compared to untreated inlet water, thereby indicating the potential efficacy of such systems in reducing organic pollutants. Risk assessment based on the EFSA guidelines showed that the estimated daily intakes for all detected phthalates remained well below tolerable daily intake limits for both adults and toddlers. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring phthalates in drinking water and support the implementation of regular maintenance strategies for filtration devices. The analytical approach developed may be adopted as a cost-effective tool for water quality assessment and offers promising potential for broader application in public health and commercial water treatment systems. Full article

Water resources are fundamental to sustaining life, fostering social development, and maintaining ecological balance. This study focuses on Anhui Province (AP) as the research area, employing 22 indicators from the Water-Socio-Ecological (WSE) framework for the water resource-water environment carrying capacity (WR-WECC) of AP. The WR-WECC of AP is assessed via differential evolution projection pursuit modeling (DE-PPM). Additionally, the degree of coupled coordination model (DCCM) is utilized to analyze the coordinated development among the municipalities of AP, whereas the obstacle degree model is employed to identify the primary obstacles affecting the enhancement of the WR-WECC and to forecast them via autoregressive composite moving averages. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) WR-WECC in AP showed a steady upward trend, and the water, socio-economic, and ecological subsystems showed a fluctuating upward trend, with ES increasing the fastest. The overall WR-WECC of each city shows a fluctuating upward trend, and the spatial gap narrows, with Southern Anhui (SA) > Central Anhui (CA) > Northern Anhui (NA). (2) The DCC of the WSE carrying capacity of AP also shows a fluctuating upward trend, gradually transitioning from barely coordinated to well coordinated. The DCC level of the WR-WECC in SA is better than that in CA and NA, and the growth rate is greater than that in CA and NA, whereas the DCC level in CA is better than that in NA, and the DCCs of the three major regions show an upward trend. (3) The degree of obstruction at the criterion level of AP’s WR-WECC basically maintains the following order: WS > SS > ES. In the indicator layer, the water supply modulus, water production modulus, and proportion of tertiary industry are the main obstacle factors restricting the enhancement of the WR-WECC of AP. (4) The prediction results for 2025–2040 indicated that the WR-WECC level and the three subsystem levels of AP showed a continuous increasing trend. Measuring WR-WECC plays a crucial role in regional sustainable development. Full article

Water scarcity in rural areas represents a structural challenge that undermines social well-being, public health, and ecological sustainability. This study analyzes the water supply system in the community of Las Ánimas, located in the municipality of Tecoanapa, Guerrero (Mexico), with the aim of understanding the dynamics of access, use, and community-based management of water resources. A participatory qualitative approach was employed, complemented by quantitative tools, including semi-structured interviews, fieldwork, and community workshops. The results reveal strong pressure on water resources during the dry season, contamination of springs due to intensive agricultural practices, a lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure, and organizational weaknesses within the local water committee. Nevertheless, the study identified key elements of autonomous governance, such as community rules, social monitoring, and shared responsibility in the management of the resource. The study concludes that strengthening community water governance—together with territorially focused public policies, environmental restoration, and water education—is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems in highly vulnerable rural contexts. Full article

This study evaluated the long-term hydroclimatic trend through a reconstruction procedure of precipitation variability in central Greece (1657–2020), using eight tree-ring chronologies (Pinus sp. and Abies sp.). Through the combination of gridded climate datasets with tree-ring width (TRW) and earlywood width (EWW) chronologies, we created three precipitation reconstructions, (1) April–August (AMJJA) and (2) May–June (MJ) using TRW and (3) EWW chronologies, utilizing both measured and gridded precipitation data. Chronologies were standardized using ARSTAN, while principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the development of the reconstructions. Verification and calibration of the derived time series (split-period tests, RE > 0, R = 0.62–0.67) confirmed a strong reconstruction that explained 15%–45% of the variability in precipitation. The results revealed strong growth–precipitation relationships throughout spring–summer (AMJJA/MJ). Multi-decadal variability is captured by TRW chronologies, while higher-frequency signals are reflected by EWW. Significant time intervals (19.6-, 12.5-, and 2.2-year cycles) were found by spectral analysis, indicating climatic impacts on tree-ring chronologies. Extremely wet (e.g., 1885, 1913) and dry (e.g., 1894–1895) episodes were confirmed against regional paleoclimate data and were consistent among previous reconstructions (72%–92% agreement). Despite the fact that sample depth reduced after 1978, the EPS was constantly higher than the threshold (EPS > 0.85 post-1746), showing the reliability of the reconstruction. This study expanded the hydroclimatic record of the southeast Mediterranean and highlighted that tree-ring chronologies are reliable variables to predict the historical precipitation. Full article

This research work investigates the Myki Municipality’s aquifer system in the mountainous region of Xanthi Prefecture, Northeast Greece, with regard to the area’s groundwater exploitation and management requirements for drinking water supply. During the period 2021–2023, the work involved (i) groundwater discharge measurements and groundwater sampling from forty-seven (47) springs and five (5) groundwater wells, followed by groundwater chemical analyses; (ii) appropriate analysis, elaboration, and presentation of the results obtained; and (iii) formulation of related proposals that would improve the conditions of the water supply in the study area. The study revealed that water shortage circumstances exist in the study area, which may be due to low aquifer capacity in some areas, deficient groundwater recovery facilities, and water losses in the water supply network. Full article

Between 2022 and 2023, the urban soils of Forlì (NE Italy) were surveyed, sampled, analyzed, and mapped over an area of ca. 5700 ha, of which 2820 were sealed. The outcomes of the survey allowed the integration of the existing knowledge about soil and land use with the urban plan and provided the basis to produce a 1:10,000 map of urban soils along with their land capability and an updated 1:50,000 soil map of the municipality. Soil data (textural fractions, pH, organic carbon content) were interpolated over the entire case study area, providing the inputs for locally calibrated pedotransfer functions whose outputs were used to assess a set of seven indicators for the potential supply of soil ecosystem services (SESs): soil biodiversity, buffer capacity, carbon storage, agricultural production, biomass production, water regulation, and water storage. Maps of the seven ecosystem services on a hybrid resolution grid of 25 and 100 m were complemented with an overall urban soil quality map based on the combinations of four different SES indicators. Results show that for several services, hotspots occur not only in the peri-urban agricultural areas but also in unsealed soils within the urban fabric, and that different soils provide high-quality services in diverse constellations depending on the soil characteristics, age and extent of disturbance and degree of sealing. Full article

Over 1350 Chilean rural schools are experiencing a lack of potable water, and 40.4% of them lack formal access to drinking water and have to resort to various alternative sources of supply, with 43% relying on wells or waterwheels, 32% using water trucks, and 26% relying on rivers, springs, or streams. Due to the extreme situation, most inhabitants of affected rural areas count on different means of water recycling, mainly reused from irrigation, without control or management of water quality. For this study, Los Bellotos de la Vega Elementary, a rural school, became a case study as proposed by the Municipality of Olmué. The educational program focuses on crops and plantations based on rural agricultural practices, which are irrigated by a water recycling system. Through microbiological water analysis, olfactory air quality testing, surveys, and photovoice methods, we identified serious problems with the implementation and management of the water recycling system, including a lack of resources and maintenance, which could endanger the health of the members of the community. An analysis of the treatment plant’s water revealed that the recycled water did not meet quality standards, and the water supplied by water trucks was at the limits of the standards. It was also found that all the families related to the school children recycle water in their homes without any control over the quality of the water they reuse. However, a positive aspect revealed by this study is the elevated level of awareness about water conservation, habits of use, consumption, rationing, and reuse, as well as knowledge of appropriate vegetation, and they are already part of daily life. Full article

This study focuses on Fortaleza, the largest metropolis in Brazil’s semi-arid region. Due to recurrent droughts, massive infrastructure like high-density reservoir networks, inter-municipal and interstate water transfer systems, and a seawater desalination plant have been implemented to ensure the city’s water security. To evaluate the quantitative and qualitative impact of introducing these diverse water sources into Fortaleza’s water supply macrosystem, adequate calibration of the operating and demand parameters is required. In this study, the macrosystem was calibrated using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method based on hourly data from 50 pressure head monitoring points and 40 flow rate monitoring points over two typical operational days. The calibration process involved adjusting the operational rules of typical valves in large-scale Water Distribution Systems (WDS). After parameterization, the calibration presented the following results: R² of 88% for pressure head and 96% for flow rate, with average relative errors of 13% for the pressure head and flow rate. In addition, with NSE values above 0.80 after calibration for the flow rate and pressure head, the PSO method suggests a significant improvement in the simulation model’s performance. These results offer a methodology for calibrating real WDS to simulate various water injection scenarios in the Fortaleza macrosystem. Full article

Access to safe drinking water is a global challenge, with significant disparities affecting public health and quality of life. This study evaluated the relationship between specific water parameters, public satisfaction with treated water, and diarrhea incidence in Southwestern Goiás, Brazil. The objectives were (1) to assess water parameters, including aluminum, iron, manganese, pH, hardness, fecal coliforms, and turbidity, in samples from springs, streams, and municipal supplies; (2) to evaluate residents’ satisfaction with municipal water and their reliance on untreated water sources; and (3) to analyze the impact of transitioning from untreated to treated water following the closure of a spring in 2017 on diarrheal diseases. A longitudinal observational study reviewed diarrhea cases from 2013 to 2019. Treated water met potability standards, while untreated springs showed significant contamination. Dissatisfaction with treated water correlated strongly with continued reliance on untreated springs (p < 0.05), increasing the diarrhea risk nearly ninefold (OR = 8.78; 95% CI = 4.37–18.29). The findings underscore the importance of transitioning to treated water for mitigating diarrheal diseases and enhancing public trust in water safety. This study provides a replicable and scalable approach for improving water sanitation management, addressing waterborne diseases, and supporting public health interventions in diverse global contexts. Full article

Sewer networks are essential in supporting the sustainable development of rural settlements. However, many municipalities face difficulties due to inadequate or missing sanitation systems. Thus, the contamination of municipal water supplies has become a pressing issue. In the present study, the process of the sewer network establishment and its impacts on groundwater was assessed in the case of a Hungarian settlement. It was found that, following the realization of wastewater agglomeration in 2015, 85% of households in the municipality were connected by 2023. Results indicate that uninsulated septic tanks used before the sewer system resulted in a high rate of sewage leakage. 3D models using RockWorks software show a groundwater dome of more than 1 m in the vicinity of the septic tank. The discharge had a significant impact on groundwater quality; high NH₄⁺ concentrations (>90 mg/L) within the vicinity of the tank and above the limit value (0.5 mg/L) in the total area were detected. Na⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations above the contamination limit also reflect the severe impact of wastewater discharge. Significant positive changes in groundwater quality have been detected following sewerage. Our results highlight the importance of similar investments and draw attention to the positive changes that can be achieved. However, a very significant decrease in water levels was detected both in the vicinity of the septic tank and at the municipal level, which, in addition to precipitation patterns, is mainly attributable to the cessation of sewage outflow. Between 2013 and 2022, the average groundwater level declined by 3.8 m in the settlement. Therefore, long-term monitoring of the investment is essential. Full article

This study assessed the status of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services at (49) selected primary schools in uMfolozi Local Municipality, which is situated in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. Data were collected using an observational checklist tool and by conducting a walk-through survey to inspect the conditions of sanitary facilities, observe the hand-washing practices of the school learners, and analyse the accessibility to safe drinking water in school premises. The data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Science Version 29. This study revealed that there is easy access to safe drinking water in all but one school. The dependability of the water supply seemed to be one of the most urgent problems in every school, even though all of them have some kind of drinking water infrastructure on their grounds. Municipal water (n = 25, 36%) and rainwater (n = 25, 36%) were the most common type of water used in schools compared to borehole (n = 15, 22%) and tanker truck water (n = 4, 6%). Schools must have a reserved water supply because of the inconsistent supply of municipal water, and because rainwater is a seasonal harvest while borehole water may be affected by factors like load-shedding. The UNICEF-described ratio of one tap or disperser per fifty learners suggests that the water taps in the schoolyard were insufficient in some schools (n = 25, 36%). Rainwater is collected through a gutter system in the school building roofs and stored in 5000–10,000 Jojo tanks. Borehole water is pumped into Jojo tanks at an elevated position where it is stored, and learners receive the water through taps connected to the borehole tanks. During an emergency when there is no water supply from other sources, tanker trucks are hired to fill tanks that are also used to store rainwater. The borehole and rainwater quality appeared to be clear, but water treatment had not been performed, and the microbial quality was unknown. This shows that the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 6, clean water and sanitation, is still far from being met. According to national norms and standards for domestic water and sanitation services, people who do not use water treatment or purification techniques fall in the ‘no service’ category and contribute to the water backlog. Pit latrines (n = 46, 94%) and flush toilet (n = 3, 6%) were found to be the only convenient toilet systems used. The number of toilets is not sufficient according to the guidelines. There are (n = 46, 94%) of the schools in the study area using pit latrine due to insufficient or no water supply. In 89.8% of primary schools, sanitation facilities are in working condition in terms of repair and hygiene, while 10.2% are not usable in terms of hygiene, and these are mostly boy’s toilets. All schools (n = 46, 94%) that have flush toilets is because they received sponsorship from non-government stakeholders that funded them in achieving piped water systems that permit the functionality of flush toilets. For the purposes of this study, hygiene was evaluate based on the items found in toilets and handwashing practices. The hygiene aspects of toilets included tissues, cleanness, and toilet seat. For handwashing practices we looked the number of washing basins, the colour of water, and having soaps to use. In the schools that did provide handwashing facilities, some of the toilets were broken, there was no water, or there was no drainage system in place to allow them to function. However, according to the school act, the handwash basins should be inside the facilities. A total of (n = 7, 14%) of handwash basins were inside the toilets. Only (n = 2, 4%) of schools had handwashing facilities which were Jojo tanks with taps near toilets, which were outside of the toilet, with no soap provided. Additionally, (n = 40, 82%) of learners used drinking points for handwashing, which can possibly transmit microbes among them. The findings revealed that, in general, (n = 32, 64%) of school toilets were clean, while, in general, the girls’ toilets were cleaner than the boys’ toilets. In all the schools, the cleaning services were from the people who were involved in school nutrition. In conclusion, there were water sources available for access to water inside schools; however, the situation can be improved by increasing the number of water source points. Pit latrines were the main used toilets, which were in a majority of the schools, and did not have the necessary terms for hygiene such as handwashing basin, tissues, and others. The lack of the main aspect, i.e., access to water and sanitation items, results in an impact on hygiene to learners as they will fail to practice proper hygiene. However, improvement can still be made by keeping the boys’ toilets clean while increasing the number of handwashing basins inside the toilets, so that they do not use taps outside the toilets. Schools should work towards meeting the required number of handwashing basins to increase access to handwashing facilities. Full article

Fluoride is an anion that is widely distributed in nature whose main source is volcanic emissions. This anion reaches humans mainly through water and can produce beneficial effects at certain doses, with toxic effects occurring at high doses. There are regions of the world that stand out for their high concentrations of fluoride, as it has produced endemic fluorosis in their population. This is the case for Tenerife, one of the islands of the Canary archipelago of volcanic origin. The aims of this study are to perform a historical review of fluoride concentrations in this region and to assess the current levels. The determination of fluoride will be carried out by potentiometry using an ion-selective electrode. The high concentration of fluoride in the water supply continues to be a problem, since about 55% of the studied municipalities on the island of Tenerife exceed the parametric value for the concentration of fluoride in the water (1.5 mg/L). The municipalities with the highest fluoride concentrations in Tenerife are El Tanque (10.61 mg/L), Icod de los Vinos (5.28 mg/L), Tegueste (4.37 mg/L) and La Victoria de Acentejo (3.63 mg/L). The child population aged from 1 to 3 years with a daily water consumption of 1.5 L exceeds the ULs in 21 of the 31 studied municipalities of the island. Meanwhile, the child population aged from 4 to 8 years (daily water consumption of 1.5 L) greatly exceeds the ULs in 13 of 31 of these municipalities. In the case of the adult population (consumption of 2 L/day), it exceeds the ULs in 3 of the 31 studied localities. In addition, since only exposure induced from one type of food has been studied, and not in regard to overall diet, it can be concluded that there may be a risk of overexposure to fluoride for the population aged 1 to 3 years in all the municipalities studied, as well as for the population aged 4 to 14 years and the adult population in most of them. Thus, it can be determined that, currently, with the recommended water consumption, the population could be exposed to a toxicological risk depending on the municipality and age. Full article

This study introduces an integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to optimize the selection of municipal water supply pipeline materials. A comprehensive evaluation system encompassing thirteen criteria across technical, economic, and safety dimensions was developed to ensure balanced decision-making. The method employs a weight determination model based on Jaynes’ maximum entropy theory to harmonize subjective AHP-derived weights with objective EWM-derived weights, addressing inconsistencies in traditional evaluation approaches. This framework was validated in a case study involving a DN400 pipeline project in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, where five materials—steel, ductile iron, reinforced concrete, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC)—were assessed using quantitative and qualitative criteria. Results identified HDPE as the most suitable material, followed by UPVC and reinforced concrete, with steel ranking lowest. Comparative analysis with alternative MCDM techniques demonstrated the robustness of the proposed method in balancing diverse factors, dynamically adjusting to project-specific priorities. The study highlights the flexibility of this approach, which can extend to other infrastructure applications, such as drainage systems or the adoption of innovative materials like glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) mortar pipes. By integrating subjective and objective perspectives, the methodology offers a robust tool for designing sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective municipal water supply networks. Full article