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Revitalizing Pond Waste: A Novel Approach using Floating Wetlands and Electrolysis for Sustainable Agriculture, Including Wastewater Polishing

Sustainable agriculture requires effectively managing environmental challenges, and one such challenge is pond waste. In Pakistan, vast networks of freshwater ponds (approximately 60,470 hectares) are used for fish farming. While this practice produces valuable food, the resulting nutrient-rich wastewater is often discarded, creating a potential environmental burden. However, this very waste holds immense potential for agriculture.

A groundbreaking solution emerges: pond waste can be tackled using a unique combination of floating wetlands and electrolysis. Floating wetlands act as miniature ecosystems within the ponds. These plant-based systems filter and purify the water by absorbing pollutants and fostering the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Electrolysis takes things a step further by using electricity to break down remaining contaminants and potentially even harvest valuable minerals.

This dual approach provides significant benefits. Firstly, it transforms pond waste into nitrogen-rich sludge, a valuable organic fertilizer crucial for plant growth. This reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers, promotes sustainable agricultural practices, and minimizes chemical usage. Secondly, the method effectively purifies wastewater, enhancing clarity and removing impurities. Originally measured at 1500 ppm TDS, 900 μS/cm EC, and pH 6.5, the treated water improves to 710 ppm TDS, 810 μS/cm EC, and pH 7, making it suitable for reuse in irrigation or replenishing aquaculture systems. This approach conserves water and reduces agriculture's environmental footprint by decreasing reliance on freshwater sources.

By addressing both aspects of pond waste management, this innovative method positions itself as a promising solution for sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. This approach promotes organic practices, reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, conserves water, and minimizes environmental impact. This paves the way for a more sustainable future for Pakistani agriculture.

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Comparison of water consumption in indoor swimming pools in the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland: A case study

The provision of sporting amenities, specifically indoor swimming pools, is integral to promoting a healthy lifestyle in today's urban environment. Unsurprisingly, there is a growing demand for such facilities, both within the public and private sectors. However, the development and operation of these establishments place significant strain on municipal water infrastructure, particularly in locales that lack sufficient water distribution systems. Substantial water consumption within indoor swimming pools exacerbates the financial burden on these facilities, affecting their overall profitability and necessitating adjustments to ticket pricing.

A comprehensive comparative analysis was performed on three different indoor swimming pools located in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland, all adhering to identical design and quality standards. An analysis of the water consumption in indoor swimming pools P1, P2, and P3 was conducted using water meters with impulse overlays to continuously capture consumption data. These facilities are equipped with building management systems that facilitate data collection for the analyses presented.

Despite similarities in facility equipment, the number of pool basins, water attractions, technology, and frequency of use, there were significant discrepancies in water consumption between individual swimming pools. This investigation revealed a strong correlation between the volume of water consumption in indoor swimming pools and the proficiency of facility management, as well as the expertise and qualifications of the staff responsible for their daily operation. The volume of water replenishment depends on the occupancy of the facility. The process of replenishing pool circuits with tap water, considering the frequency of filter backwash, and evaluating the duration and frequency of individual filtration cycles collectively contribute to upholding the required quality of pool water.

In view of the results, comprehensive operational guidelines for technical staff have been formulated. Adherence to these guidelines is recommended to ensure optimal and sustainable management of water and wastewater facilities.

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Designing of a water quality management plan. A case study of criterion water treatment works in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Despite being a fundamental human right, many developing countries face challenges in accessing clean and safe drinking water due to various obstacles. The study aimed to develop a water quality management plan (WQMP) for Criterion water treatment works (CWTW) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to address water quality concerns and health risks. Attained through identifying the principal elements of a potable WQMP relevant to the study area. This was done through comprehensive and extensive literature study. The evaluation of CWTW performance assessed water quality and hydraulic capacity, ensuring compliance with WHO and EPA guidelines, and analyzed effluent samples to ensure integrity. The collected samples were then analyzed at the on-site Criterion laboratory. The quality test results were integrated with a Water Quality Index (WQI) calculation, allowing for a comprehensive performance ranking to evaluate the treatment system's performance. Analysis of the Water Quality Index (WQI) revealed that the treatment system ranking was not always within the range of 0-25, signifying the potential need for a WQMP to optimize performance. Furthermore, the average turbidity removal efficiencies of the clarification and filtration processes, at 19.5% and 61.5%, respectively, indicated a shortfall in meeting established EPA and WHO regulations. A review of essential design drawings and construction data for the plant was undertaken. This analysis aimed to identify potential hydraulic capacity complexities that could impact treatment efficiency. Additionally, the hydraulic assessment evaluated compliance with recommended ranges for hydraulic retention times (HRT) and solid loading rates (SLR) within the treatment units. The study used manual measurements and staff interviews to assess hydraulic capacity, revealing significant deviations from recommended HRT and SLR. This overloading, likely due to exceeding the design population capacity, was identified as a contributing factor to water quality challenges, highlighting the need for a Water Quality Management Plan to address these challenges.

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Eco-Hammam Initiative: Replicating the FSAC Model for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Resource Reuse in Dar Bouazza, Morocco
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With increasing water scarcity in Morocco, unconventional resources are essential. Urban areas have improved sanitation, but rural areas lack basic infrastructure due to scattered dwellings and limited access. This highlights the urgent need for innovative, sustainable solutions to ensure adequate sanitation for all.

This work focuses on replicating the Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock (FSAC) model for the treatment and reuse of wastewater from a peri-urban traditional hammam in Casablanca, specifically in the municipality of Dar Bouazza. The FSAC model has proven to be successful in managing wastewater effectively within an urban setting, and this study aims to adapt and implement this model in a peri-urban context. This initiative is part of the Eco-Hammam project, which aims to minimize the negative impacts of traditional hammams in terms of the irrational and uncontrolled consumption of water and wood energy resources.

Traditional hammams, while culturally significant, often contribute to significant environmental challenges. They are known for their high water consumption and reliance on wood for heating. Addressing these issues through the Eco-Hammam project involves implementing sustainable practices and technologies that reduce resource consumption and promote environmental stewardship.

To achieve this, a comprehensive environmental diagnosis of all hammams in the municipality of Dar Bouazza, our study site, has been undertaken. Following this environmental diagnosis, a feasibility study is conducted to assess the possibility of replicating the FSAC mini-station to treat the wastewater of the selected pilot hammam, namely, My Yacoub II.

The replication of the FSAC model in Dar Bouazza aims to demonstrate that sustainable water management practices can be effectively implemented in peri-urban and rural areas. By showcasing the successful treatment and reuse of wastewater, the project hopes to inspire similar initiatives across Morocco and beyond, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for communities facing water scarcity.

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Enhanced Framework for Sustainable and Secure Water Resource Management

An important area for social advancement, economic expansion, and environmental integrity is water resources. To satisfy the demands of IoT-based quality monitoring, distribution, and water requirements, an innovative approach is presented. This study presents an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled Water Resource Management and Distribution Monitoring System (IWRM-DMS) for use in rural cities. It uses sensors, gauge meters, flow meters, ultrasonic sensors, and motors. In order to reduce water demand, research suggests that the IWRM-DMS determines the rural water demand and the water supply system. A variety of sensors, including flow meters; pH, water pressure, and flow sensors; and ultrasonic sensors, are included in the suggested system. The village's need for residential water is met by the creation of this water system. The decision support system's demand prediction is made possible by machine intelligence. The outcomes of the simulation validate that the suggested framework may be applied in situations that occur in real life. In comparison to other widely used methods, the proposed IWRM-DMS has been designed to analyze water quality in order to ensure that water distribution in a rural area is achieved with a lower MAPE (20.84%) and RMSE (16.21%), improve efficiency (96.53%) and reliability (97.83%), and enhance predictions (96.45%), the overall performance (95.75%), the moisture content ratio (8.6%), and the cost-effectiveness ratio (96.9%).

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Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency and Maximizing Vegetable Yields with Drip Irrigation and Poly-Mulching: Climate-Smart Approach
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The increasing prolonged droughts and rainfall variability are significant factors contributing to increasing water scarcity, limiting vegetable yields in addition to weeds. Water scarcity is a global concern, negatively impacting food security and rural livelihoods in developing regions, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, where livelihoods chiefly depend on rainfed agriculture. Mulching is a soil conservation approach that controls surface evaporation (E), a significant component of evapotranspiration (ET), which influences water use and vegetable growth. The influence of poly-mulch on weed management and water use efficiency was evaluated in a field experiment conducted between May and September 2018 in open greenhouse conditions at Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, on a plot of 30 cm2 with drip irrigation and tomato cultivation. Three irrigation regimes, 2, 3 and 4 mm/day, defined from evaporation, were applied on black poly-mulch and no-mulch sections. Data on soil conditions—soil pressure head and soil temperature, as well as climatic variables, including solar radiation and temperature—were collected during the tomato cultivation period, while yield components—yield, water productivity, and sugar content—were determined after harvest. The results of a two-way ANOVA showed that poly-mulching with all irrigation regimes reduced the weed biomass and improved yields and water use efficiency compared to no-mulch conditions. Applying poly-mulches with 3 and 4 mm/day had a 5% significant effect on tomato yield compared to no mulch. Poly-mulching is vital for weed management and the application of irrigation regimes; 2-4 mm/day based on evaporation improves water use efficiency for tomato cultivation.

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Applicability of banana peel as adsorbent in synthetic solution containing Cd+2

It is a known fact that one of the indispensable elements of life is high-quality drinkable water. With climate change and global warming, the increase in water consumption in certain sectors and the irregular distribution of population density negatively affect water quality. Wastes resulting from agricultural and food production activities and wastes generated from household use have structurally similar characteristics. These wastes contain active components and functional groups that can be used in both water/wastewater treatment and the medical/cosmetic sectors. Although it is a very diverse type of waste, the waste of banana fruit, which is consumed extensively all over the world, has been used in water treatment. In this study, banana peels (BnP) discarded as waste were used in powder form to remove Cd+2 from the synthetic solution. Cd+2 ion is a toxic and bioaccumulative heavy metal commonly found in industrial wastewater. Therefore, this method was chosen due to the simple design of adsorption. For evaluation, at a constant mixing speed (150±5 rpm) and 100±3 mg/L Cd+2 dose, the effects of pH (2, 4, 6, and 8), contact time (5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes), BnP dose (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 g), and temperature (20, 25, 30, and 35 0C) were examined. For adsorption efficiency, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and pseudo-first and second-order kinetics were tested. The experimental results showed that a 70% to 85% efficiency was achieved under optimum conditions for the Cd+2 removal of BnP.

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Integrated Approaches to Water Resource Management and Climate Resilience

Effective water resource management is crucial in the face of increasing climate variability and change, which adversely affects water availability, glacier melting, agriculture, biodiversity, and food accessibility. This study advocates for a comprehensive and collaborative framework that integrates sustainable practices, risk management, and adaptive strategies. It underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary cooperation among governmental agencies, communities, and scientific experts to ensure equitable and sustainable water resource management. By addressing various water uses—domestic, agricultural, industrial, and ecological—this approach seeks to balance competing demands and minimize conflicts. A crucial element of this integrated strategy is climate resilience, which involves anticipating risks such as droughts, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns. Key strategies include developing robust infrastructure, implementing water-saving technologies, and preserving natural water systems. Furthermore, proactive policies and practices are essential to enhance the adaptive capacity of communities and ecosystems, securing long-term water availability and ecosystem health. Integrating traditional knowledge with innovative technologies further strengthens the effectiveness of water management practices. This holistic approach not only safeguards water resources but also fosters socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. By promoting resilience and adaptability, integrated water resource management can effectively mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, ensuring water security for future generations and supporting sustainable development goals.

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Polyoxometalates: Promising Solar-Powered Catalysts for Eliminating Textile Dye Contaminants

Textile dye effluents pose a severe threat to environmental and public health in Algeria, necessitating sustainable remediation strategies. This study explores the application of cesium-substituted Dawson heteropoly acid (HPA) photocatalysts for solar-light-driven degradation of dye pollutants like methyl blue in water as an eco-friendly treatment approach. Cesium-substituted Dawson HPAs were synthesized and systematically evaluated for photocatalytic decolorization of methyl blue under direct sunlight irradiation. Critical parameters, including catalyst dosage, dye concentration, H2O2 levels, and the influence of inorganic ions (chloride, nitrate, and sulfate), were investigated at neutral pH. The optimal conditions of 1 g/L catalyst, 10 mg/L dye loading, and 3.92 mM H2O2 concentration were established to achieve nearly complete decolorization (DE=98%) within 90 minutes. Sulfate ions specifically inhibited dye decomposition, presumably due to scavenging effects. The synthesized cesium-HPA exhibited excellent solar photocatalytic activity for treating dyestuff effluents. Further research should focus on optimizing catalyst design, elucidating mechanisms, and scaling up this technology for practical industrial applications to facilitate the ecological restoration of water bodies impacted by textile effluents. Widespread adoption of such clean catalytic processes can raise awareness about mitigating the dangers textile dyes pose to the environment and ecosystems. Collaborative efforts between academic institutions, industry, and governmental agencies are recommended to develop integrated solutions leveraging this polyoxometalate photocatalysis platform for environmental remediation and to disseminate these research results concerning ecological restoration.

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Developing a Comprehensive Water Management Plan for the Niger Basin

Introduction:
The Niger basin, located south of the Sahel in West Africa, is prone to frequent flooding, particularly in the city of Niamey. Climate change has exacerbated these issues, making effective water management critical. This project aims to develop a comprehensive water management plan for the Niger basin, focusing on flood mitigation, hydropower optimization, irrigation efficiency, and ecological sustainability.

Methods:
Our approach integrated multiple tools and models, including QGIS for watershed delineation, the Australian Water Balance Model (AWBM) for converting precipitation data into streamflow, and Goldsim for optimization based on real-world data. We ran climate change scenarios using the SSP585 model to predict future conditions. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) software was employed to simulate various management strategies, incorporating key sustainability indicators such as food security, energy security, water security, and environmental durability.

Results:
The inclusion of the Kandadji Dam significantly reduced unmet water demand during dry seasons and increased net benefits through hydropower generation. Expanding irrigation zones to 287,000 hectares substantially boosted food security but slightly compromised water availability in the Niger River. Adding a new irrigation zone in the Sirba watershed further enhanced food security with minimal environmental flow disruption. The introduction of the Sirba Dam provided a comprehensive solution, stabilizing water supply, reducing flood losses, and ensuring complete coverage of instream flow requirements.

Conclusions:
Our findings highlight the critical role of integrated water management strategies in addressing the multifaceted challenges of the Niger basin. The construction of the Kandadji and Sirba Dams, combined with optimized irrigation practices, presents a viable solution for achieving sustainable water resource management. This project underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, robust data infrastructure, and adaptive management in developing resilient water management plans for climate-affected regions.

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