About the author

Name and title(s):

Peng Wang, Associate Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology at Saudi Arabia.

Areas of expertise:

Nanomaterials; renewable energy-driven water treatment; smart materials.

Peng Wang is author of the recently published Rational Design of Next-generation Nanomaterials and Nanodevices for Water Applications.

Questions

This year, the UN’s World Water Day is dedicated to topics in wastewater. What do you think/hope this will achieve?

Increased public awareness of how untreated wastewater is a threat to health as well as how wastewater is rich in resources.

Why is the topic of wastewater important?

Untreated wastewater threatens public health and wellbeing of ecosystems.  Wastewater in many cases contains valuable resources. Energy, nutrients and valuable elements can be extracted out of wastewater.

What do you think is the most significant change or development in wastewater research/treatment in recent years?

The attitude of not considering it as a complete waste.

How might you suggest people get involved and/or learn more about the significance of wastewater?

Educational projects that educate the public regarding how regular wastewater can be turned into resources. A good example can be microbial fuel cell demonstration by using domestic wastewater, Singapore’s new water project, forward osmosis using seawater as draw water and wastewater as feed.

Public awareness campaigns that highlight the health and eco- risks of directly discharging untreated wastewater.

To learn more about World Water Day, visit the website.