Purifying water at its source: pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial resistance removal in hospitals and healthcare centers

Pharmaceutical residues, including antibiotics and antidepressants, are increasingly being released into the sewer network. Removing all traces of these substances proves to be a challenging task. Many pharmaceuticals are in low concentrations and are resistant to degradation through conventional treatment methods used in most wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, these compounds stay in the effluent streams and accumulate in the aquatic environment.

In collaboration with various partners, including hospitals, water boards and technology providers, Wageningen Food and Biobased Research has initiated research to develop decentralised solutions to monitor and treat wastewater at the source point of emission of pharmaceuticals and antibiotic resistance.

Tania Mubita Zambrano, a researcher specialized in water purification and project lead, explains, "Initially, we are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the chemical and microbiological components present in the wastewater and evaluating various water treatment technologies to remove these substances." This endeavor does not operate in isolation, as Zambrano emphasizes, "Numerous cutting-edge technologies already exist in this field, but a single technology isn't sufficient. Our research involves collaboration with multiple stakeholders to facilitate the integration of various technologies in a single treatment process to improve efficiency and energy effectiveness. This approach not only targets the removal of pharmaceuticals but also addresses the critical issue of antibiotic resistance in water purification.”