Nature-based solutions as a viable approach for treating wastewater influent in remote locations

Access to clean water is an imperative for modern societies. Water facilities play crucial roles in ensuring this access through sanitation, source protection, and proper reuse management. Historically, facilities such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been responsible for removing waterborne contaminants and safeguarding drinking water resources. To ensure effective and timely water management, WWTPs employ a combination of physicochemical and biological processes to treat domestic and industrial influents and to comply with environmental regulations. However, the implementation of these processes varies widely across the globe due to economic, political, and geographic constraints. One way to address some of these limitations is through the use of nature-based solutions (NbS), particularly in regions with limited access to infrastructure and investment, such as rural and remote areas. Nature-based solutions provide viable, sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment processes, making them particularly well-suited for application in rural and developing communities where traditional infrastructure is often financially or logistically unfeasible.