Publications

How can we reduce the environmental and economic costs of wastewater treatment? The recent study, presented at the 41st IAHR World Congress in Singapore, July 2025, explores the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the impact of control measures at a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Led by Sailaja Poudel, Sean Mulligan, and Eoghan Clifford, the research reveals that operational phases, especially energy-intensive systems like aeration, are the primary drivers of emissions and energy costs. The findings underscore the importance of integrating efficient monitoring and process control systems (e.g., ACET framework Tier 2 or 3) during the design and construction stages. By doing so, the cost of compliance can be significantly reduced, paving the way for more sustainable wastewater infrastructure.

Find more information here: https://www.iahr.org/library/infor?pid=37238