• UNLV researchers explore wastewater reuse solutions
• Solar-powered technology aims to provide clean water
• Focus is on small, rural communities in the U.S. and China

October 17, 2024 — Researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), are working on a groundbreaking project to address water shortages, especially in rural communities. Led by the College of Engineering, the project focuses on developing solar-powered wastewater treatment technology to provide affordable and sustainable water solutions. It is funded through a five-year, $450,000 grant from the Cyrus Tang Foundation.

A New Approach to Water Reuse.

The team’s solution involves recycling wastewater, which often meets with initial resistance due to what researchers call the “yuck factor.” Despite the unease, UNLV professor Erica Marti emphasized that wastewater is a resource we can treat and reuse, even for drinking. While Southern Nevada isn’t yet facing a “Day Zero” crisis like Cape Town, South Africa, the team sees the shrinking water supply from Lake Mead as a warning sign.

The project aims to bring clean water to communities lacking advanced infrastructure using solar power. “Instead of relying on expensive synthetic materials, we’re utilizing natural resources like biomass and sunlight,” said Professor Eakalak Khan, the project lead. The team is developing a prototype system that uses biochar, a material made from agricultural waste, to filter and purify water. The prototype will soon be tested in Cal-Nev-Ari, a small town in Nevada.

Expanding Impact.

The research also extends to rural China, where a similar community is experiencing water scarcity. The team believes the technology can significantly impact water-stressed communities worldwide, making clean water more accessible and affordable. Khan added that while many people might resist the idea of reusing wastewater, it’s a practice that may soon become essential. As Lake Mead continues to decline, wastewater will make up a larger percentage of the region’s drinking water.

Combining solar power and wastewater reuse, this innovative approach offers sustainable solutions that could benefit both rural and urban areas.

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Image:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, by Renjishino, November 2007.  Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

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