Identifying Priority Research Questions for Decentralized Wastewater

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Resource Management
• Public Health Infrastructure

Background:

• Decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse are vital for global infrastructure, spanning rural to urban areas.
• Despite their importance, inconsistent service delivery persists, particularly in the United States.
• A One Water approach emphasizes on-premise technologies for public health and environmental protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify challenges and research opportunities in decentralized wastewater science and practice.
• To establish priority research questions through a comprehensive, participatory process.
• To guide future research for improved decentralized wastewater management.

Main Methods:

• A horizon scanning exercise involving over 450 professionals from diverse sectors.
• Bottom-up submission of research needs via a transparent key questions approach.
• Facilitated focus groups and an in-person synthesis workshop to identify priority research questions.

Main Results:

• Research needs were categorized into six key areas: treatment, performance, resource recovery; resiliency, efficacy, sustainability; environmental quality, public health; assessment, monitoring, O&M; implementation; and regulations, enforcement, environmental justice.
• A consensus process identified priority research questions across these categories.
• The study highlights the need for advancements in both technical and management aspects of decentralized systems.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the identified priority research questions is essential for advancing the science of decentralized wastewater.
• Improved scientific understanding and practice are needed across rural, peri-urban, and urban gradients.
• Recommendations are provided to guide future research and enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of decentralized wastewater systems.