Abstract:

The availability and quality of freshwater is currently under unprecedented threats due to the increasing global population and due to climate change. In the very water-stressed areas, by 2050, there will be 3 billion people, and the pollution of industry and agriculture will make things worse. To tackle these complex challenges, there is a need for a paradigm shift in the approach to water treatment, moving away from traditional, linear systems to more integrated and climate-resilient solutions. This article discusses the importance of sustainable chemistry, advanced treatment technology and smart monitoring systems for the advancement of water security across the globe. We bring together recent developments in plant derived bioflocculants as an alternative to the use of toxic metal-based coagulants and green membrane technologies based on advanced adsorbents which can recycle hazardous solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), thereby reducing the process mass intensity of membrane fabrication by 99.9%. In addition, the use of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in combination with renewable energy, shows the development of environmentally friendly remediation. In addition to chemical solutions, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and Water Footprint (WFP) assessments are highlighted as tools for better resource management and source reduction. It is possible to realize a circular water economy by transforming wastewater treatment plants into circular bio-refineries and implementing Nature Based Solution (NBS). This paper hence outlines a holistic roadmap that integrates green chemistry, digital innovation and strong policy measures for equitable, resilient and sustainable water governance for future generations.

Keywords:

Sustainable Chemistry, Climate Resilience, Bioflocculants, Water Footprint, Smart Monitoring.

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