Global water shortages dominated events such as “Day Zero”

01 Oct Global water shortages dominated events such as “Day Zero”

Much attention has been given to global water shortages, especially those caused by severe climate change-induced droughts. Events such as “Day Zero” in South Africa have dominated headlines recently. Water conservation initiatives, including reducing individual consumption and drip irrigation, have taken traction all over the world. While the severity of water scarcity cannot be overstated, less attention has been given to diminishing water quality globally and the threat of emerging contaminants.

The industrial process, agriculture, and improper waste management have turned already depleted surface and groundwater stocks into cesspools. As source water quality degrades, the formation of more toxic byproducts during conventional treatment, especially during chemical disinfection, increases. The need for effective source water protection coupled with alternative, non-chemical disinfection has never been more urgent [To be continued].