A novel framework to assess and manage contaminants of emerging concern in indirect potable reuse: the JPI-FRAME project

Emerging water pollutants (e.g., antibiotics, household chemicals) and pathogens (e.g. antibiotic-resistant bacteria, viruses) are only partially removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Thus, both groups of contaminants are continuously discharged into European rivers used as drinking water supplies. This de facto potable water reuse is frequently happening worldwide. There are concerns that emerging water pollutants and pathogens adversely affect aquatic life as well as human health, in particular in European areas with water scarcity problems. Under the umbrella of the European research initiative "Water JPI (Joint Programming Initiative ,,Water Challenges for a Changing World")" the project FRAME is funded for 3-years (2015-18). Leading European researches from four countries (Germany, Italy, France and Norway) are closely working together to develop new strategies to minimize the impacts of a broad range of chemical and biological contaminants when reusing treated municipal wastewater via subsurface treatment to augment drinking water resources. The project's main aim is to provide sufficient quantities of safe drinking water, while preserving ecosystems and human health. FRAME is addressing important aspects in the context of producing high quality water from recycled water including: a) removal efficiencies of emerging contaminants by various treatment processes, b) detection and removal of transformation products formed by microbial and chemical reactions of the emerging chemicals, c) inactivation of viruses and other pathogens, d) removal efficiencies of antibiotic resistant bacteria, e) use of bioassays and biomarkers to detect effects caused by specific pollutants and mixtures of pollutants, f) quantifying the reduction of environmental and human health risks, g) costs, non-monetary benefits and potential drawbacks of various treatment strategies. FRAME is testing several treatment combinations including ozonation and advanced oxidation processes coupled with a new process of sequential biologically active filtration, which are presented in the present communication. Modelling transport and fate of emerging contaminants and their transformation products through various treatment combinations will guide in assessing the efficiency of various mitigation strategies. The FRAME concept will influence European and national regulation for Indirect Potable Reuse and will be primarily validated at water reclamation facilities in Braunschweig, Germany.