Microplastics hinder thetreatment of wastewater

A recent study has revealed that microplastics in wastewater may provide a refuge for pathogens. This would constitute a risk to public health and the environment, as these microorganisms would be able to enter natural water reserves and the food chain. The results of the study show that microplastics survive the treatments carried out at WWTPs and may carry biofilms that serve as transmitters of pathogens.

This research underlines the need to subject wastewater and treated water to a variety of processes in order to lower the potential risks. These processes include those applied in the AIGUANEIX project, such as chloramination (which helps to eliminate biofilms) and ultrafiltration (which eliminates particles and any pathogens adhering to the water extremely effectively).