TechnologyPure oxygen released as a by-product of green hydrogen production, when redirected to the aeration demand of wastewater plants, lowers both cost and carbon footprint. Integrated plant projects are growing fast in Europe.
TechnologySupercritical water oxidation (SCWO) stands out among the proven technologies that break PFAS compounds at the molecular level. A growing pilot plant network in the United States and Europe shows the technology approaching commercialisation.
TechnologyLarge language models combined with process simulation are forming an operator assistant layer at wastewater plants. Early pilots are reducing knowledge loss at shift handover and shortening response times.
TechnologyUnmanned aerial vehicles equipped with hyperspectral cameras can detect leaks in wastewater sewer lines from above ground. Field trials in Europe identified previously unnoticed leaks across 12 percent of the line.
TechnologyAerobic granular sludge (AGS) is replacing conventional activated sludge with a smaller plant footprint and lower energy consumption, becoming the standard design in Europe. Pilot deployments are growing in Turkey.
TechnologyElectronic nose (e-nose) sensors and machine learning models are reducing odour complaints at wastewater plants by 78 percent. In 2026 they are becoming a standard component at plants close to urban areas.
TechnologyLoRaWAN and NB-IoT-based sensor networks are cutting real-time monitoring costs at sewer collectors and pumping stations by 70 percent. In 2026 they are becoming a standard component of urban infrastructure renewal programmes.
TechnologyThe next generation of graphene oxide membranes developed jointly by MIT and ETH Zurich cuts energy consumption in reverse osmosis systems by 32 percent. The first commercial deployments come online in late 2027.
TechnologyPlant-scale digital twin deployments are cutting opex by 18 percent and energy use by 24 percent. In 2026 they are becoming a standard input for capex decisions at large plants.
TechnologyBlockchain-based water rights registries deployed in Australia, Spain and the United States are redefining the standard for transparency and auditability in trading water as a measurable asset.
TechnologyMachine learning algorithms are cutting energy use by 28 percent and chemical use by 35 percent at treatment plants. AI applications are becoming the standard in 2026.
TechnologyElectrochemical methods for removing heavy metals like chromium, nickel and lead from industrial wastewater are maturing fast. New electrode materials are raising efficiency and lowering energy use.
TechnologyModern anaerobic reactors generate electricity and heat from organically loaded wastewater. With the right design, plants become self-sufficient on energy.
TechnologyAI-based predictive maintenance systems are cutting unplanned downtime at wastewater plants by 80 percent. The sector is moving fast into the predictive maintenance era.